asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of an old age pension to a person (name supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
41.
An application for old age non-contributory pension by the person concerned was received on 19th January, 1977, and referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. The investigation has not yet been completed however because the claimant lives on an island and the officer has been prevented by bad weather from visiting him. It is hoped that he will be able to do so this week.
42.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why an applicant in County Donegal (details supplied) has not received unemployment benefit since July, 1976.
The person referred to by the Deputy is claiming disability benefit and not unemployment benefit. His claim for disability benefit was disallowed from 30th August, 1976, following his examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The claimant appealed against the disallowance of benefit and in connection with his appeal he was again examined on 19th October, 1976, by a different medical referee who also found him to be capable of work. The appeal is proceeding and an oral hearing will be arranged as soon as possible.
43.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person in County Kildare (details supplied) has not received any social welfare benefit or pay-related benefit, although contributions towards these benefits were stopped from her salary by her former employer.
To be entitled to unemployment benefit on her claim of 6th January, 1977, the person concerned would require to have had at least 26 contributions paid in respect of her since the date of her entry into insurance and to have had not less than 26 contributions paid or credited in respect of her in the 1975-76 governing contribution year.
According to the Department's records no contributions have been paid in respect of her though the information furnished in connection with her claim indicated that she had been employed during 1975 and 1976. Inquiries were accordingly necessary regarding the stamping of her 1975-76 and 1976-77 insurance cards. 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.
44.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be reached regarding the application for a non-contributory old age pension by a person (name supplied) in County Meath which was before the old age pension committee five months ago.
A non-contributory old age pension at the rate of £8.20 weekly, the rate recommended by the social welfare officer, was provisionally awarded to the person concerned pending the local pension committee's decision. This pension was increased to £10.35 from 1st October, 1976.
The decision of the local pension committee was given on 24th August, 1976, awarding a pension at a higher rate than that being paid provisionally. As the committee's award is at variance with the recommendation of the social welfare officer he has recently lodged an appeal against it. It is regretted that the papers relating to the pension committee's decision were mislaid in the Department's offices at Mullingar and that as a result the lodging of the appeal in this case has been very much delayed. Arrangements have now been made however to have a decision given on the appeal at an early date.
45.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who first applied in October, 1976.
A payable order in respect of all arrears of unemployment benefit due to the person concerned on his claims of 27th October, 1976, and 31st January, 1977, was sent to him by post on Friday last. Further payments will continue as they fall due.