asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay to date in the payment of an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway and the reason why arrears have not been paid.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
279.
The person concerned applied for a non-contributory old age pension on 18 February 1979 but his application could not be dealt with until after the postal dispute ended. When the social welfare officer called to investigate his means in October 1979 he discovered that the applicant was an insured person and might be entitled to a contributory pension. His application for a non-contributory pension was, therefore, withdrawn in favour of a claim for a contributory old age pension on 17 October 1979.
He was subsequently awarded a contributory old age pension with effect from 23 February 1979 and his pension book, payable from 14 December 1979, at the rate of £18.45 per week, was issued. Before the arrears of pension due could be computed, however, it was necessary to establish whether he had received payments of any other social welfare benefit during the postal dispute. This has since been clarified and the arrears of pension due have been paid.
282.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons an old age pension due for the past year has not been paid to persons (details supplied) in County Galway.
Non-contributory old age pensions have not been granted to the persons concerned as the social welfare officer has appealed against the decisions of the local pension sub-committee, awarding pensions at the maximum rate, on the ground that the claimants' means exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension. A deed of transfer of the claimant's farm has been executed and the appeals officer awaits confirmation that the deed has been stamped before he gives his decision.
286.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting free travel to a person (details supplied) in Galway.
I am glad to say that a free travel pass was issued to the person concerned on 14 February 1980. The delay in processing his application, which was received on 4 December 1979, was due to his application being mislaid during the disruption of normal working conditions arising from the transfer of the section concerned from one building to another. I regret any inconvenience caused to the person concerned. The issue of a pass in normal circumstances takes about 2½ weeks.
303.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of old age pension was not granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The maximum rate of non-contributory old age pension was not granted to the person concerned as the weekly rate of means assessed in his case entitles him to pension at the rate of £9.00 a week only.
305.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons the maximum rate of widows pension was not granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at a reduced rate with effect from 17 February 1978 in accordance with the means assessed on the value of a farm, in which she had an intestacy interest, and some capital.
It has been confirmed that the pensioner has assigned her interest in the farm to her son. As soon as the deed of transfer, duly stamped, has been received her means will be re-assessed and a revised decision will be given.
307.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the six weeks arrears of old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Posthumous payment for six weeks of non-contributory old age pension is only made to the dependent spouse of a deceased pensioner and is not, therefore, payable in this case. A week's pension is due, however, and a claim form for this was sent to the personal representative of the deceased on 11 February 1980. When the form has been returned to my Department the amount due will be paid.