asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any decision has yet been reached by his Department concerning the application of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin for a deserted wife's allowance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
240.
The person concerned claimed deserted wife's benefit in December 1979 from my Department. Following investigation she has been awarded a deserted wife's benefit at the maximum rate appropriate to a woman with three qualified children with effect from 6 December 1979. A pension order book has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her.
As she was paid supplementary welfare allowance by the Eastern Health Board the arrears of deserted wife's benefit from December 1979 to March 1980 were withheld pending information as to the amount of allowance due for refund to the board. This information has now been received and the balance of the arrears of pension has been paid to her.
241.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin.
The person concerned was in receipt of a contributory widow's pension, at the maximum rate, from September 1954 to November 1977, when she reached pension age. She was then transferred to old age contributory pension as the maximum rate of such pension, to which she is entitled, is higher than the maximum rate of widow's contributory pension.
As the relevant regulations preclude payment of old age contributory pension and widow's contributory pension concurrently she is not entitled to a widow's pension. Her present rate of old age contributory pension is £19.60 a week, which will be increased to £24.50 from April next.
In addition she is in receipt of a living alone allowance.
242.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan who has been submitting medical certificates since September 1978 and as yet has received no payment.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 September 1978, indicating that his last employment had been as a self-employed in the United Kingdom. The British Department of Health and Social Security confirmed that he had no reckonable contributions in 1977, the contribution year governing his claim, under the insurance number quoted by him.
It was subsequently ascertained, however, that he had, in fact, contributions in respect of insurable employment in the United Kingdom under a different insurance number from that originally quoted. In accordance with EEC Regulations, therefore, the United Kingdom is responsible for payment of any sickness benefit due to him.
The claim has been transferred to that country for consideration of payment. It was confirmed by telephone on 21 March 1980 that the claim had been received by the British authorities and they have promised to deal with it urgently.
243.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin and if arrears from 1979 are outstanding in this case.
The person concerned, who is a contributory old age pensioner, was awarded a living alone allowance with effect from 20 October 1978.
A pension order book at the rate of £1.10 payable from 2 February 1979 was issued on 9 March 1979 and a payable order for the arrears due for the period 20 October 1978 to 1 February 1979, amounting to £16.50, issued on 21 March 1979.
The pension order book payable from 2 February 1979 was subsequently returned uncashed with no endorsement, together with uncashed orders from a later book dated from 6 April to 4 May 1979.
A payable order for £16.40 representing payment in respect of the uncashed orders for the period 2 February 1979 to 10 May 1979 issued on 21 March 1980.
244.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare in relation to the Social Welfare Estimate in the Estimates for the Public Service for 1979 and 1980 if he will give the following details in respect of each subhead G, H, I, J, and L: (a) the average number of weekly recipients on which the estimate is based; (b) the weekly benefit levels implied in the calculation of the Estimate and (c) the reasons for the variation between the Estimate for both years.
The information requested is as follows:
|
(a) SUBHEAD |
Average number of recipients on which the estimate is based |
|||
|
1979 |
1980 |
|||
|
G |
133,000 |
per week |
129,000 |
per week |
|
H |
441,000 |
per month |
441,000 |
per month |
|
I |
66,170 |
per week |
63,320 |
per week |
|
J |
10,300 |
per week |
10,700 |
per week |
|
L |
10,680 |
per week |
11,115 |
per week |
(b) The weekly benefit levels implied in the calculation of the 1979 Estimate were the April 1978 rates for 3 months, the April 1979 rates for 6 months and the October 1979 rates for 3 months. The levels implied in the calculation of the 1980 Estimate were the October 1979 rates for 3 months and the April 1979 rates for 9 months.
(c) The reasons for the variations in the estimate for 1980 as compared with 1979 are (1) the additional cost in 1980 of the 1979 Budget improvements being in operation for a full year as against only 9 months in 1979, and (2) variations in the number of recipients and the number of pay days.