asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an applicant (details supplied) in County Wicklow claimed sickness benefit payments; and the result of his claim.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
38.
The person referred to by the Deputy claimed disability benefit from 22nd November, 1976. At the date of his claim he was not qualified for benefit as according to the records of my Department he had only one Irish contribution paid since his entry into insurance. As a result of inquiries which were made it was ascertained that the person had been insured under the United Kingdom national insurance scheme and his record of contributions under that scheme may be taken into account for the purposes of his claim.
As a result, he qualified for disability benefit and payment of benefit due on the medical certificates lodged has been made to him.
39.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid and from what date to an applicant (details supplied) in County Wicklow.
Following the submission by the claimant on 23rd February, 1977, of the required information on his earnings during the 1975-76 income tax year, arrangements have been made to have the pay-related benefit due to him since 19th January, 1977, paid during the present week. Further payments will continue as they fall due.
40.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an applicant (details supplied) in County Wicklow first made an application for unemployment assistance; and the decision in his case.
The person concerned made an application for unemployment assistance on 20th March, 1969, and payments were made weekly to him up to 31st August, 1976, at the maximum rates applicable to a person resident in a rural area who had no dependant and whose weekly rate of means was £1.90.
Following reinvestigation of his circumstances, a deciding officer has reassessed his weekly rate of means at £5.59 with effect from 1st September, 1976, and payment has been authorised at the revised weekly rate of £2.95 with effect from that date. Arrangements have been made to have all arrears of unemployment assistance due paid to him during the current week. Further payments will continue as they fall due.
41.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was not paid unemployment benefit from 10th November, 1976, to January, 1977.
The person concerned was not paid unemployment benefit from 11th November, 1976, because he had exhausted his maximum entitlement of 390 days' unemployment benefit on that date. He cannot requalify until 13 employment contributions have been paid in respect of him.