asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal for which he has been signing since June 1980.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
352.
The person concerned did not claim unemployment assistance until October 1980 although he was advised to do so when he claimed unemployment benefit, to which it subsequently transpired he was not entitled, in June 1980. Certain inquiries had to be made regarding the claimant's circumstances. These inquiries have now been completed and payment of all arrears due was made to him on 22 January 1981.
353.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal whose application for unemployment assistance has not yet been decided; and if he is aware of the severe hardship caused to this person by the delay.
Unemployment assistance is not being paid to the person concerned as it was decided some time ago that he was not available for and genuinely seeking employment. He appealed against this decision but the appeals officer upheld the disallowance. The person concerned has since claimed unemployment assistance again and certain inquiries are being made as to whether he now satisfies the conditions for entitlement. It is expected that these inquiries will be completed shortly and when they are, a decision will be made in his case without delay.
If there is any hardship being experienced by the person concerned, it is open to him to claim supplementary welfare allowance at the office of his local health board.
354.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of allowance payable to a prisoner's wife and two children in (i) 1973, (ii) July 1977 and (iii) July 1980; and the percentage increase between 1973 and July 1977 and July 1977 and July 1980.
355.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of allowance payable to an unmarried mother in (i) 1973, (ii) July 1977 and (iii) July 1980; and the percentage increase between 1973 and July 1977 and July 1977 and July 1980.
359.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of (a) contributory and (b) non-contributory old age pension payable to a (1) single person and (2) married couple in (i) 1973, (ii) July 1977 and (iii) July 1980; and the percentage increase in each between 1973 and July 1977 and July 1977 and July 1980.
360.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of contributory pension payable to a widow with two children in (i) 1973, (ii) July 1977 and (iii) July 1980; and the percentage increase between 1973 and July 1977 and July 1977 and July 1980.
361.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of benefit payable to a deserted wife with two children in (i) 1973, (ii) July 1977 and (iii) July 1980; and the percentage increase between 1973 and July 1977 and July 1977 and July 1980.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, it is proposed to take Questions Nos. 354, 355, 359, 360 and 361 together. The information requested is as set out in the following table.
Standard rates of Pension or Allowance (1)
|
1973 |
July 1977 |
Percentage Increase |
July 1980 |
Percentage Increase |
||
|
Contributory old age pension |
||||||
|
£ |
£ |
% |
£ |
% |
||
|
(i) Single person |
7.20 |
13.90 |
93 |
24.50 |
76 |
|
|
(ii) Married couple |
(a) both over pension age |
12.35 |
24.40 |
98 |
42.80 |
75 |
|
(b) spouse under pension age |
11.85 |
22.75 |
92 |
40.15 |
76 |
|
|
Non-Contributory old age pension |
||||||
|
(i) Single person |
6.15 |
11.75 |
91 |
21.00 |
79 |
|
|
(ii) Married couple |
(a) both over pension age |
12.30 |
23.50 |
91 |
42.00 |
79 |
|
(b) spouse under pension age |
6.15(2) |
17.60 |
31.55 |
79 |
||
|
Contributory Widow's Pension and Deserted Wife's Benefit |
||||||
|
Woman with two children |
10.90 |
21.10 |
94 |
37.50 |
78 |
|
|
Prisoner's Wife's Allowance |
||||||
|
Woman with two children (3) |
— |
19.55 |
— |
34.80 |
78 |
|
|
Unmarried Mother's Allowance |
||||||
|
Woman with one child |
8.15 |
15.65 |
92 |
27.90 |
78 |
Note:
(1)The rates shown are those payable to persons under 80 years of age. Higher rates are payable to persons who have attained age 80.
(2)The adult dependant allowance was not payable in addition to the basic non-contributory old age pension prior to July 1974.
(3)Prisoner's Wife's Allowance was introduced in 1974.
356.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of unemployment benefit payable to a man and wife in (i) 1973, (ii) July 1977 and (iii) July 1980; and the percentage increase between 1973 and July 1977 and July 1977 and July 1980.
The maximum rates of unemployment benefit payable to a man and wife at the dates requested were as follows:—
(i) 1973 — £10.80; (ii) July 1977 — £20.55; (iii) July 1980 — £33.70; Percentage increase between 1973 and July, 1977 — 90.3%; Percentage increase between July 1977 and July 1980 — 64%.
357.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date pay-related benefit was introduced.
The pay-related benefit scheme came into operation on 8 April 1974.
358.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the amount of children's allowance paid in respect of a (a) first child, (b) second child, (c) third child and (d) family of four children in (i) 1973, (ii) July 1977 and (iii) July 1980; and the percentage increase in each between 1973 and July 1977 and July 1977 and July 1980.
The information requested is as follows:
Monthly Rates of Children's Allowance
|
Number of children |
July 1973 |
July 1977 |
% Increase over 1973 |
July 1980 |
% Increase over 1977 |
|
1st child |
£2.00 |
£2.30 |
15% |
£4.50 |
95.65% |
|
2nd child |
£3.00 |
£4.10 |
36.67% |
£7.00 |
70.73% |
|
3rd child |
£3.75 |
£4.85 |
29.33% |
£7.00 |
44.33% |
|
Four child family |
£12.50 |
£16.10 |
28.8% |
£25.50 |
58.39% |
362.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of allowance payable to a single woman aged 58 in (i) 1973, (ii) 1977 and (iii) July 1980; and the percentage increase between 1973 and July 1977 and July 1977 and July 1980.
The scheme of Social Assistance Allowances for single women commenced on 4 July 1974. The maximum rates payable at the commencement of the scheme and at the other dates requested were as follows:——
(i) July 1974 — £6.35; (ii) July 1977 — £10.20; (iii) July 1980 — £18.30; Percentage increase between July 1974 and July 1977 — 60.62%; Percentage increase between July 1977 and July 1980 — 79.41%.
363.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a deserted wife's allowance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin.
The person concerned claimed deserted wife's allowance from my Department previously in 1977 and in 1978. On each occasion the claim was refused as, being under 40 years of age and having no qualified child residing with her, she was not entitled to payment.
A further claim was made in November 1980. As it has been confirmed on investigation that the child is now residing with her a deserted wife's benefit at the maximum appropriate rate has been awarded from 13 November, 1980. A pension order book has been sent to the designated post office for collection by her.
The arrears of benefit due will be paid after deduction of the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which was paid to her.