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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 1979

Vol. 317 No. 9

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

217.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of widow's and orphans' pension to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal and if he will arrange payment as a matter of urgency.

The person concerned was in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension which included increases for two dependent children. One of the children reached 18 years of age on 24 March 1979 and a reduced rate pension was payable from 30 March 1979.

Due to the postal dispute the renewal pension book was not issued until July 1979. As she was being paid by the local Post Office on the stubs of her old pension book it was thought that she had continued to receive the increase for the two children. However, on receipt of confirmation from the Post Office that she was paid the increase for only one child the arrears of the budget increase in pension which have been withheld were paid to the widow.

218.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a widow's contributory pension to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal and if he is aware that the applicant's husband died 9 months ago and the hardship caused to the family by this delay.

The person concerned has been awarded a widow's contributory pension at the maximum rate applicable to a widow with one dependent child with effect from 22 February 1979. A pension book containing orders from 5 October 1979 has been issued to Ballybofey Post Office for collection by the widow. The arrears of pension due up to that date will be paid shortly.

The delay in the award of pension in this case was due mainly to the loss of the original inquiry form which issued to the Revenue Commissioners seeking particulars of the late husband's insurance record for widow's pension purposes and to other factors associated with the postal dispute.

I sincerely regret any inconvenience or hardship caused to the widow concerned by reason of the delay in the payment of the pension.

219.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Meath who applied for disability benefit and unemployment benefit, has not been paid such benefits.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 January 1979 to 26 March 1979. He was not entitled to payment as he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1977 the contribution year governing his claim.

He claimed unemployment benefit for three days from 29 September 1979 to 1 October 1979 but no payment would be due for these days as they are waiting days. In any event he was not qualified for payment as he had less than 26 contributions paid or credited in 1978, the contribution year governing his claim.

220.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in the payment of a non-contributory old age pension to applicants (details supplied) in County Galway.

An old age pension at the maximum rate, including an adult dependant allowance, has been awarded by an appeals officer to the person concerned with effect from 14 December 1978. The appeals officer had deferred his decision in the case pending the stamping of a deed of transfer of a holding.

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