asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state, in respect of each non-contributory means-tested allowance administered by his Department, the estimated number of recipients at the maximum rate.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
388.
The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the following statement:
|
Type of Payment |
Number of recipients at the maximum rate on the latest date for which figures are available |
|
Old Age (non-contributory) pension |
110,694 |
|
Widows (non-contributory) pension |
8,700 |
|
Orphans (non-contributory) pension |
172 |
|
Deserted wife's allowance |
2,725 |
|
Unmarried mother's allowance |
4,461 |
|
Prisoners wife's allowance |
172 |
|
Single woman's allowance |
1,200 |
|
†Supplementary Welfare Allowance (estimated) |
6,600 |
|
*Unemployment Assistance |
44,300 |
†Supplementary welfare allowance is administered by the health boards.
*The figure for unemployment assistance represents the total number of recipients at all rates other than small holders. No record is kept of the number of recipients of the maximum weekly rates of payment, i.e. persons who have no means assessed against them. Unemployment assistance recipients who are small holders are not included as they are in receipt of reduced rates of payment having means which are assessed on either a factual or a notional basis.
389.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated number of recipients, adult dependants and child dependants in each weekly benefit and allowance category receiving payment from his Department.
The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the following statement.
|
Type of Payment |
Number of recipients at the latest date for which figures are available. |
||
|
Social Insurance |
Recipients |
Adult Dependants |
Child Dependants |
|
Disability Benefit |
67,292 |
23,710 |
50,342 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
15,953 |
7,014 |
10,272 |
|
Maternity Allowance |
1,722 |
— |
— |
|
Old Age Contributory Pension |
65,111 |
18,000 |
3,413 |
|
Retirement Pension |
31,734 |
15,134 |
3,733 |
|
Unemployment Benefit |
52,300 |
22,300 |
48,600 |
|
Widows' Contributory Pension |
69,457 |
— |
21,200 |
|
Orphans' Contributory Allowance |
819 |
— |
— |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
2,787 |
— |
4,894 |
|
Occupational Injuries Insurance |
|||
|
Injury Benefit |
1,570 |
983 |
2,368 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
4,801 |
71 |
166 |
|
Death Benefits |
362 |
— |
561 |
|
Social Assistance |
|||
|
Old Age (Non-Contributory) Pension |
130,860 |
9,618 |
4,033 |
|
Unemployment Assistance (Including small-holders) |
64,300 |
35,200 |
94,900 |
|
Widows' (Non-Contributory) Pension |
11,242 |
— |
6,500 |
|
Orphans' (Non-Contributory) Pension |
172 |
— |
— |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
2,834 |
— |
3,912 |
|
Unmarried Mother's Allowance |
5,290 |
— |
5,736 |
|
Prisoners Wife's Allowance |
182 |
— |
540 |
|
Single Woman's Allowance |
3,100 |
— |
— |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
17,220 |
4,360 |
15,600 |
* Supplementary welfare allowance is administered by the Health Boards.
390.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated cost of increasing social welfare children's allowances by £68 per child per annum.
The estimated cost of increasing social welfare children's allowances by £68 per child per annum is £80 million approximately.
391.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when same will be granted; and the amount of the arrears due.
The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned was authorised and arrears amounting to £186 were paid on 24 October 1980.
Further inquiries had to be made regarding her entitlement to pay-related benefit. These have now been completed and arrangements have been made to have all pay-related benefit due paid this week.
392.
andMr. Harte asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position in relation to the claim for outstanding maternity benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Under the provisions of the Social Welfare Act, 1952, where a woman who is entitled to maternity allowance dies the allowance ceases to be payable for any subsequent week.
Payment of maternity allowance and pay-related benefit in respect of the period from 4 August 1980 to 4 October 1980 was issued to the person concerned before notification was received by my Department that the claimant had died on 20 September 1980.
All maternity allowance and pay-related benefit due has been paid.
393.
andMr. Harte asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has not received a reply from his Department to a letter dated 17 September 1980; if a reply will now issue giving full details of the social insurance contributions in this case; and the contribution qualifications for an old age contributory pension.
A letter outlining the full insurance position and giving details of the retirement pension and old age contributory pension entitlements was issued to the person concerned on 7 November 1980. A copy of his full insurance record was enclosed with this letter.