asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (name supplied) in County Meath who has been employed by the same firm since 1971 will be entitled to free dental treatment and other benefits; and the action taken to have his 1975 insurance card lodged in the Department or to grant credit for it.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
31.
The person in question claimed dental benefit under my Department's scheme on 10th January, 1977, and his claim was disallowed as he did not, at the time, fulfil the statutory condition for the payment of benefit which required him to have at least 26 employment contributions paid or credited on his behalf in the 1975 contribution year.
The claimant was notified accordingly and it was following this that the 1975 card in question was surrendered fully stamped to my Department by his employer on 22nd February, 1977. The claimant has since been advised of his entitlement to dental treatment.
On his present contribution record the person concerned is, subject to the necessary qualifying conditions, eligible for all benefits under the Social Welfare Acts.
32.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has been withdrawn from a person (name supplied) in County Laois despite the fact that he is at present awaiting a call for major surgery.
The claim for disability benefit by the person referred to by the Deputy was disallowed from 28th February, 1977, following his examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the decision disallowing his claim and in connection with this appeal another examination by a different medical referee is being arranged as soon as possible. His claim for benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report on this further examination.
33.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have disability benefit paid weekly to a person in County Cork (details supplied).
The person referred to by the Deputy is being paid disability benefit at weekly intervals in advance of monthly certificates since 24th January, 1977.
34.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the oral hearing will be held in respect of the claims of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly for disability benefit.
An oral hearing of an appeal by the person referred to by the Deputy against the disallowance of her claim to disability benefit is being arranged for 21st March, 1977.
35.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why he has not found it possible to have maximum unemployment assistance paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The maximum rate of unemployment assistance is payable only where a claimant has no means. In this case the weekly rate of means of the person concerned, derived from the benefit or privilege of free board and lodgings, has been assessed at £7.00 by a deciding officer. An appeal against this assessment has been made and the appeals officer's decision, when available, will be communicated to the claimant without delay.
36.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when social welfare payment will be made to a person in County Wicklow (details supplied).
Payment of all disability benefit due to 12th March, 1977, has been made to the person referred to by the Deputy.
37.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an applicant (name supplied) in County Wicklow applied for unemployment assistance; when a decision was made; whether there has been an unusually long delay in this case; the cause of the delay; and the result of the application.
The person concerned made a postal application for unemployment assistance on the 16th July, 1976. Following an investigation of his circumstances a deciding officer assessed his weekly rate of means at nil and unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate of £8.55 was authorised on 24th January, 1977, in respect of the period from the date of claim to the date he commenced employment on 13th December, 1976. All arrears of unemployment assistance due for that period were paid to him on Friday last.
The totally unacceptable delay in dealing with this case is very much regretted. The matter is being investigated with a view to the taking of all necessary steps to prevent a recurrence.