asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the position of social welfare recipients in certain rural areas particularly Edenderry, County Offaly, who are forced to travel long distances to the nearest unemployment exchange for benefits due to the postal dispute; the additional hardship caused to these people due to the lack of public transport; the proposals, if any, to alleviate the situation; and if he is aware that a person unable to attend on a given week is docked a day's benefit the following week.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
309.
I am aware of the difficulties which have arisen for recipients of social welfare benefits due to the postal dispute, especially for claimants to unemployment benefit who reside more than six miles from a local office of my Department and normally obtain payment of their benefit at a post office.
I am satisfied that my Department are doing all that they can to minimise the difficulties for such people and in particular to ensure that payments are made to them at their nearest local office.
I am not aware of any claimant residing more than six miles from the local office in the area referred to in the question who was docked a day's unemployment benefit because of inability to sign on a given week. If the Deputy has particulars of such a case I should be glad if he would let me have the details and I will have the matter investigated.
310.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why the payment of invalidity pension ceased in December 1978 to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Payment of invalidity pension to the person concerned was terminated from 7 December 1978 following his examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The decision of the deciding officer to disallow the claim for invalidity pension was upheld on appeal.
311.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why pay-related benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The delay in deciding entitlement to pay-related benefit of the person concerned is due to difficulties in communication between head office and the local office dealing with the claim.
I will inform the Deputy immediately the problem is resolved.
312.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Payment of disability benefit in the case of the person concerned was discontinued from 26 February 1979 following examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
If he is still obtaining medical certificates from his doctor arrangements will be made to have him examined again by a medical referee on the termination of the postal dispute and his case will be reviewed at that stage.