asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement clarifying the position of a person (details supplied) in Dublin, who was made redundant in January 1979, and received unemployment benefit from 29 January to the 28 March 1979 and disability benefit from 29 March 1979 to 28 March 1980, which has now ceased; if he is aware that she has been refused unemployment benefit on the grounds that she was not available for work, despite the fact that she is available for work, and that she has been informed that his Department are now seeking a repayment of £61.71 which is allegedly an excess of unemployment benefit paid to her between 7 March 1979 and the 28 March 1979; and if he will state whether she is entitled to some weekly redundancy payment in respect of the periods in question.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit during the period 29 January to 28 March 1979 and again on 14 April 1980. She was paid benefit during the first period but on the second claim she was held by a deciding officer, on the basis of the evidence which she submitted, not to be available for employment. She claimed and was paid disability benefit from 3 March 1979 to 13 April 1980 from which date she was found to be capable of work by a medical referee of the Department. She has since reclaimed and been paid disability benefit from the 16 May 1980.
As she had claimed and been paid both unemployment benefit and disability benefit during the period 3 March to 28 March 1979 repayment of the amount of unemployment benefit, £61.71, for that period is due to the Department.
As regards entitlement to redundancy weekly payments, the person concerned claimed these payments when drawing unemployment benefit but no payment was due because her social insurance benefits already exceeded 85 per cent of her previous net earnings. She did not claim the redundancy weekly payments when she claimed disability benefit. This aspect is now under examination and it appears that title to the payments will arise. The exact amount due has yet to be determined but it will be in excess of the overpayment of unemployment benefit. Arrangements have been made to have the net amount due paid to the person concerned as soon as possible.
315.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position regarding the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for non-contributory old age pension.
The social welfare officer is being asked to furnish a report in this case in the light of the introduction of a modified procedure by my Department in dealing with pension claims in which transfer of property is involved.
As I announced recently, under the new procedure applicants for non-contributory pensions who transfer their lands will, in future, have their applications accepted on production of certified copies of transfer deeds which have been lodged with the Revenue Commissioners. This change will make a significant improvement on the existing practice which requires that deeds be stamped in all cases before a pension can be paid.
316.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an application for non-contributory old age pension from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was first received in his office and the up-to-date position regarding this application.
The application in this case was received on 28 May 1979. The up-to-date position regarding the application is that the social welfare officer is being asked to furnish a report in this case in the light of the introduction of a modified procedure by my Department in dealing with pension claims in which transfer of property is involved.
Under the new procedure applicants for non-contributory pensions who transfer their lands will, in future, have their application accepted on production of certified copies of transfer deeds which have been lodged with the Revenue Commissioners. This change will make a significant improvement on the existing practice which requires that deeds be stamped in all cases before a pension can be paid.
317.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who submitted his application over six weeks ago.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 May 1980 but there was some delay in making payment because of an administrative difficulty regarding the processing of the claim. All disability benefit due to 3 June 1980, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has now been paid.
The question of the claimant's entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and payment, if any, due will be made on completion of these inquiries.
318.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who submitted nine certificates and who has received only one payment to date.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 February 1980 and was paid from 13 February 1980, fourth day of incapacity, to 8 March when he was certified fit to resume work.
Subsequently a further final medical certificate indicating that he would be fit to resume work on 18 March 1980 and further certificates certifying incapacity from 18 March 1980 to 12 April 1980 were received. As the earlier medical evidence had indicated that he was fit to resume work on 10 March 1980, it was necessary to make inquiries as to the precise date on which he became capable of work.
On completion of these inquiries payment of all disability benefit due to him in respect of the period 10 March 1980 to 12 April 1980 was made on 9 June 1980. As he had been in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance the appropriate deduction was made from the amount of benefit due to him for recoupment to the health board.
The question of his entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and payment, if any, due will be made on completion of these inquiries.
319.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who submitted an application over five weeks ago and who has received only one payment to date.
Medical evidence of incapacity for the period from 22 March 1980 to 29 March 1980 only, was received from the person concerned. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due for this period issued to him in April 1980.
There is no record of the receipt of medical certificates from the claimant for the period after 29 March 1980. He has, however, been requested to forward the necessary covering medical evidence of incapacity so that payment of benefit may be made.