asked the Minister for Social Welfare why sickness benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who has been stamping an insurance card since 1969.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
29.
The person referred to by the Deputy entered insurance under the Social Welfare Acts in July, 1969 and has a total of 88 employment contributions paid since that date. A person who has less than 156 employment contributions is entitled to disability benefit for a maximum period of 52 weeks. The claimant concerned received benefit for this duration up to 29th November, 1975 and cannot qualify for further disability benefit until at least 13 contributions are paid in respect of employment after that date.
30.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Offaly had to give a contribution towards his glasses recently supplied.
The person mentioned by the Deputy claimed benefit under my Department's optical benefit scheme and the ophthalmic surgeon who examined him prescribed two pairs of spectacles—distance and reading— with tinted lenses. The ophthalmic surgeon's eye examination fee and the full cost of two pairs of standard spectacles—frames and lenses—was paid under the Department's scheme. The supply of tinted lenses involved an additional charge payable to the optician by the insured person in accordance with the scale of charges fixed by my Department.
31.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why sickness benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who claimed from 5th to 25th February, 1976.
The person referred to by the Deputy claimed disability benefit in respect of incapacity from 10th February, 1976 to 24th February, 1976 but was not entitled to benefit as he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited during the relevant governing contribution year. The claimant stated that he had been employed in the United Kingdom during that contribution year and inquiries regarding his insurance record there were made to the British Department of Health and Social Security who stated in reply that no insurance card for the employment in question had been received. The claimant has now informed my Department that the insurance card is held by his former employer and the British Department have been requested to contact the employer in the matter. Immediately the outstanding contributions are collected and advised to my Department the claimant's entitlement to benefit will be reviewed.