asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the reasons unemployment assistance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
174.
The reasons that the person concerned is disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance is that his means were assessed at £17.70 weekly and as this amount exceeds the maximum rate of £16.45, unemployment assistance is not payable in his case. The assessment of the claimant's means was based on the value which he derives from the farm on which he resides. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the decision in his case he may appeal against it and a form for this purpose will be given to him at his local office.
175.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details suplied) in County Wicklow who returned to Ireland as a result of the IDA publicity campaign entitled Good Life In Ireland has now found that he is unable to qualify for certain aspects of social and health care in this country; and if he will make a ststement on the integration of such persons in relation to social and medical facilities.
The general position regarding the social security of persons who take up insurable employment here having come from another EEC member state is governed by the EEC regulations on the social security of migrant workers. Under these regulations, a worker's insurance in other member states may be taken into account for the purpose of determining his entitlement to benefit under Irish legislation.
A person who transfers his residence to Ireland and takes up employment here is entitled to health services on the same basis as applies to the Irish population. The person referred to in the question applied for dental benefit on 5 November 1980 but has insufficient Irish insurance to satisfy the qualifying conditions for that benefit. He was previously employed in Great Britain and his British insurance record can be taken into account in considering his claim. The British authorities have been asked to supply his record.
176.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has made a decision with regard to social welfare claims made by employees of a hotel (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Only two claims to unemployment benefit have been received to date from the persons concerned. A decision has been given by a deciding officer and payment of unemployment benefit has been authorised in each case.
177.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the extent of known frauds and abuses of the social welfare system and the cost of same to the State; if further frauds and abuses are being perpetrated; if there is any estimated cost of same; the steps at present being taken to prevent abuse; and whether any further measures are proposed or contemplated.
The total amount of social welfare payments involved in cases of known frauds and abuses of the social welfare system in respect of 1979, the latest period for which data is available, is of the order of £400,000 which represented some .06 per cent of total social welfare expenditure.
Social welfare schemes, in common with all other public schemes, are subject to a degree of abuse and exploitation which it will never be possible to eliminate entirely. Control procedures have been reviewed and tightened where necessary and the cadre of the Department has been strengthened in those areas which are most vulnerable to abuse. A special investigation unit has been set up to deal with cases of alleged working while claiming unemployment benefits, the medical referee cadre has been strengthened, and additional staff is being allocated to employer survey work.
The whole question of fraud control is kept under close review and any necessary measures will be taken from time to time as the need arises. I am satisfied that the measures being taken by my Department are reasonable and adequate.
178.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in the payment of pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
There has been no delay in the payment of pay-related benefit to the person concerned. He last signed for unemployment benefit in April of this year.
Prior to that he had been in receipt of pay-related benefit for the period of his claim with the exception of the period from 2 April 1980. On that date he ceased to be entitled to pay-related benefit as the rate of unemployment benefit payable to him was increased by reason of the general increases in social welfare benefits and it exceeded 85 per cent of his previous net earnings. As a result no pay-related benefit was due from 2 April until 14 April the day on which he ceased to claim benefit.
179.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has had a reduction in his disability allowance.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from my Department from 19 September 1980 to 8 December 1980, the date of the latest medical evidence received. He was paid £20.45 per week, the maximum rate appropriate to a person without dependants.
A claim for an increase of benefit in respect of his wife was received on 15 December 1980 and an adjustment cheque in respect of the appropriate extra amount payable for an adult dependant has been issued. His weekly rate of benefit is now £33.70.