asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance was reduced by his Department in the case (details supplied) of a person in County Offaly.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
101.
Following reinvestigation of the means of the person concerned a deciding officer of my Department increased his weekly rate of means derived from his holding and his timber-cutting business from £4.80 to £18.20 which resulted in a corresponding decrease in his entitlement to unemployment assistance.
The person concerned has the right to appeal against this reassessment of his means and may obtain a form for this purpose at his local employment office.
102.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a retirement pension book, which has been out of date since 30 March 1978, has not been reissued to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and why a new book was withdrawn.
A renewal book payable from 7 April 1978 was, in fact, issued to Edenderry Post Office in respect of the person concerned. However, the post office reported by telephone on 6 April 1978 that the renewal book had not been received. As is the normal practice in such cases, a replacement pension book was issued direct to the pensioner on the same day and a "stop-payment" notice was sent to the post office in respect of the original book. When the pensioner presented his replacement book at the post office it was mistaken for the original book and returned in error to my Department on 12 May 1978. The replacement book was reissued to the post office by return of post with a note explaining the position. The post office have since confirmed that the pensioner is in receipt of his pension book and that he has cashed the pension orders to date.
103.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned did not attain pensionable age until 21 May 1978 and he has been awarded an old age (contributory) pension from Friday, 26 May 1978. A pension order book effective from that date was sent to Tullamore Post Office on 19 May 1978 for issue to him.
104.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why the pension due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork, has not been paid to date; and when he can expect to receive payment.
The claim to non-contributory old age pension in this case was disallowed by the decision of the local pension sub-committee on 6 March 1978. The claimant appealed against the decision and on 17 April 1978 his solicitors produced a stamped deed of transfer of the claimant's farm in support of the appeal. A pension at the maximum rate including an increase in respect of the claimant's wife has now been awarded by the decision of an appeals officer with effect from 23 October 1977.
The pension order book and arrears of pension were issued on 19 May 1978.
105.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why the deserted wife's allowance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when she can expect to receive payment of same.
There was some delay, which is regretted, in dealing with the claim for deserted wife's benefit made by the person concerned. The claim has now been decided and benefit at the appropriate rate is being paid.
A payable order for any arrears due less an adjustment in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid pending a decision on the benefit claim will be issued shortly.