asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person in County Donegal (details supplied), who has sufficient contributions to credit to qualify, was refused disability benefit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Disability Benefit.
16.
The person mentioned by the Deputy, though now resident in County Donegal, was last employed in the United Kingdom. Under EEC regulations governing social security for migrant workers payment of sickness benefit in her case is the responsibility of the United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Security and her claim for disability benefit received on 10th March, 1975, was accordingly transferred to that Department for attention. At the time the claimant's Irish insurance record showed no contributions to her credit since June, 1973 and, as her United Kingdom record was also deficient, the claim was disallowed. Subsequently, however, following the completion of inquiries into the stamping of social insurance cards by the firm in which the person concerned had been previously employed in County Donegal it was possible to credit her record with additional contributions. Unfortunately, however, due to a failure in communication within my Department the United Kingdom administration was not immediately notified of the additional contributions so credited. This has now been done and all benefit due on the claim up to 28th April, 1975, the date of the last medical certificate received, has been paid by the United Kingdom Department. The inconvenience caused to the claimant in the matter is regretted.