asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a claim for disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath whose 1975 card was lodged in the employment exchange.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
73.
The 1975 insurance card of the person referred to by the Deputy, which governs the period of his claim for disability benefit, could not be traced and inquiries were necessary to establish the period of employment in that year. These inquiries have established employment from October, 1975, to December, 1975, and contributions have been credited for that period. As a result the person is qualified for benefit on his claim and payment of the amount of benefit due has now been issued to him.
74.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will be called before the second medical referee.
A second medical referee examination of the person referred to by the Deputy has been arranged for 24th February, 1977.
75.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied on 21st December, 1976.
The person referred to by the Deputy submitted a first certificate and notice of incapacity dated 26th November, 1976. No evidence of continuing incapacity after that date has been submitted and, accordingly, there is no benefit due.
76.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (name supplied) in County Offaly.
To be entitled to unemployment benefit on her claim of 7th December, 1976, the person concerned would require to have had at least 26 employment contributions paid or credited in respect of her for the 1975-76 contribution year. As her insurance record showed no paid or credited contributions for that year, inquiries were necessary regarding the stamping of her 1975-76 insurance card and also as to whether there were contributions due but unpaid in respect of her. Every effort is being made to have these inquiries brought to a conclusion as soon as possible and a decision will then be given on her claim for unemployment benefit without delay.
An application for a qualification certificate also made by the person concerned for unemployment assistance purposes has been referred to the local social welfare officer for a report on her means. It is expected that the necessary inquiries will shortly be completed and a decision will then be made, if she has not become entitled to unemployment benefit in the meantime, regarding her entitlement to unemployment assistance.
77.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why sickness benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied on the 28th December, 1976.
The claim for disability benefit by the person referred to by the Deputy was disallowed from 13th December, 1976, following his examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The claimant appealed against the decision disallowing his claim but as he did not submit evidence of incapacity subsequent to 13th December, 1976, there is no case to submit to appeal. The claimant was informed accordingly on 29th December, 1976 and requested to submit evidence of incapacity subsequent to 13th December, 1976, if he wished to proceed with the appeal.
78.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (name supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was paid unemployment assistance up to 13th January, 1976 on the basis that his means consisted solely of the yearly value of a holding. Payment was then suspended because it was found that his means included capital which he had not disclosed and that as a result he had received unemployment assistance amounting to £320.47 in excess of that to which he was entitled.
The applicant's means have now been reassessed and arrangements have been made for resumption of payments of unemployment assistance at the rate to which he is now entitled and for payment of any arrears due after deduction of the amount overpaid.
79.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment assistance paid to a person (name supplied) in County Cork who has not received any money since 8th December, 1976.
All arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned on his application of 9th December, 1976, were paid by post on Friday last. Further payments will continue as they fall due.