asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for delay in the payment of sick benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
354.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 September 1979. His claim was not admitted as he had no contributions or credits in 1978, the year on which his entitlement to benefit depended.
It has since been discovered that his 1978 insurance card was received under an incorrect insurance number. The matter has now been rectified and the contributions on the card qualify him for the maximum rate of benefit appropriate to a man and wife.
A cheque in payment of disability benefit due to 13 November 1979, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued. The person's entitlement to pay-related benefit is being examined and any payment due will be made as soon as possible.
355.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make an allowance available to people who look after immediate relatives to ensure that the relatives are not committed to homes.
An allowance is payable under specified conditions to persons who are in receipt of certain pensions and allowances from my Department and for whom full time care and attention is being provided by prescribed relatives.
356.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Kerry does not qualify for a living alone allowance with old age pension.
A living alone allowance book and a payable order in respect of arrears have been issued to the person concerned.
357.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing a deserted wives' allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Meath and the date the application was received.
A claim for a deserted wife's allowance was received from the person concerned on 4 September 1979. Following investigation the allowance has been awarded at the maximum rate appropriate to a woman with five qualified children with effect from 6 September 1979.
An allowance book payable from 29 November 1979 has been issued to her. The arrears due, less an adjustment in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid pending a decision on the claim, will be issued within the next few days.
358.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for refusing the application for free telephone rental to a person (details supplied) in County Meath and the date the application was received.
An application for a free telephone rental allowance has not been received from the person concerned. An application for the allowance which was received from his wife on 7 August 1979 has however been approved by my Department and the allowance will apply to her account as soon as she becomes the registered subscriber. The lady was advised accordingly on 15 October 1979.
359.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have disability benefit paid in full to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 11 October 1979. As he had been overpaid disability benefit in respect of an earlier incapacity during the postal dispute and had also received payment of supplementary welfare allowance, these amounts were deducted from the arrears of benefit due and the balance has been paid to the claimant.
Payment was not allowed for one of the child dependants claimed as the age quoted on the claim form indicated that the child was over 18 years of age. The correct age has now been ascertained and the arrears of benefit payable in respect of this child have been issued.