asked the Minister for Health the number of people presently in receipt of disabled persons maintenance allowances and the amount allocated for the latest year for which figures are available.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
371.
The total number of recipients of disabled persons maintenance allowances at 31 December 1978 was 23,306. The total expenditure on the allowances in 1978 was £14,175,124.
372.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people at present in receipt of the free electricity allowance and the total amount spent on the allowance for the latest year for which figures are available.
The number of persons in receipt of the free electricity allowance at 31 July 1979, which is the latest date for which figures are available is 132,384. The expenditure on this scheme in the 12 months ended 31 July 1979 was approximately £5.75 million.
373.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a blind pension has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied in January 1979, in view of the medical evidence supplied.
A blind pension has not been paid to the person concerned as she does not fulfil the statutory conditions as to means. This decision has been confirmed by an appeals officer.
374.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a contributory old age pension has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned had been in receipt of pension at the maximum married rate from 1978 up to the death of his wife on 26 August 1979. When notification of her death was received a pension book at the single rate was issued to cover the period 21 September 1979 to 4 October 1979, the arrears being paid by payable order.
At the general renewal of pension books on 5 October 1979 a pension book at the married rate was issued in error. This has since been corrected by the issue of a pension book at the single rate of £19.60 on 25 October 1979.
375.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a contributory old age pension has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
A claim form for contributory old age pension dated 27 August 1979 was received on 4 September 1979 from the person concerned. However, a marriage certificate and birth certificates for his wife and children were not received from him until 15 October 1979.
A contributory old age pension was awarded to him with effect from 31 August 1979 at the maximum married rate of £30.50 plus £9.60 child allowance increased to £32.10 plus £10.20 child allowance from 5 October 1979.
A pension book with orders payable from 5 October 1979 was issued on 25 October 1979. Arrears of pension for the period 31 August 1979 to 4 October 1979 were issued by payable order on 26 October 1979.
376.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people at present in receipt of (a) disability benefit, (b) invalidity pension, (c) injury benefit, and (d) blind persons' pension, and the amount allocated under each of these headings for the last year for which figures are available.
The information requested is as follows:—
|
Number of Recipients at 30 September 1979 |
Expenditure 1978 £000's |
|
|
(a) Disability Benefit |
70,673 |
72,002 |
|
(b) Invalidity Pension |
14,160 |
12,208 |
|
(c) Injury Benefit |
1,800 |
1,933 |
|
(d) Blind Person's Pension |
6,200(estimated) |
4,336(estimated) |
The expenditure figures for (a), (b), and (c) above are not final figures.
337.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have non-contributory widow's pension paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
A claim for a widow's non-contributory pension was received from the person concerned on 25 June 1979. A decision on the claim cannot be made pending receipt of the late husband's will from claimant's solicitors. The will which is required in connection with the assessment of claimant's means had not so far been received, despite reminders issued to the solicitors in the matter. As soon as a report on claimant's means is received a decision will be made in the case without delay and the Deputy will be informed.
378.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will raise the unit allowance under the free electricity scheme to compensate recipients for the recent increase in ESB charges.
The question of improving allowances is one for consideration in the context of the annual budget.
379.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for payment of widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was awarded a widow's contributory pension at the maximum rate applicable to a widow with one dependent child with effect from 4 May 1979, the Friday following the date of the last payment of her late husband's invalidity pension. A pension order book payable from 5 October 1979 has been issued and arrears of pension due will issue shortly.