asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of a deserted wife's allowance without delay to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the urgent needs of this applicant; and when it will be granted.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
368.
The person concerned submitted a claim in December, 1980 and, following investigation was awarded deserted wife's benefit, including increases for six dependent children, with effect from 20 November, 1980. A pension order book payable from 22 January, 1981 has issued to the designated Post Office for collection by her. The arrears of pension due will be paid after deduction of the amount of the supplementary welfare allowance which was paid to her.
369.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of an allowance for a child (details supplied) in Dublin, whose birth was notified to his Department in July 1980, has not yet been made.
The claimant in this case stated when she telephoned my Department on 14 January 1981 that she had applied for children's allowance in respect of this child in July 1980. Despite an exhaustive search no trace of the receipt of her application could be found.
Arrangements were made for an officer of my Department to visit the claimant and a further application was obtained from her.
In the exceptional circumstances, an allowance book with orders payable from December, 1980, and a payable order in respect of arrears due from July 1980, were issued to her on 21 January 1981.
370.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the maximum weekly rate of old age pension payable to a qualified person in 1925, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1980.
The information required is as follows:
Maximum basic weekly rate of non-contributory old age pension payable to a qualified person.
|
Year |
Rate of Pension |
|
s.d |
|
|
1925 |
9.0 |
|
1930 |
10.0 |
|
1935 |
10.0 |
|
1940 |
10.0 |
|
1945 |
10.0 |
|
1950 |
17.6 |
|
1955 |
24.0 |
|
1960 |
28.6 |
|
1965 |
47.6 |
|
1970 |
85.0 |
|
£ p. |
|
|
1975 |
9.30 |
|
1980 |
21.00 |
371.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
During the 1980 renewal of children's allowance books, when approximately 450,000 files had to be examined, a book at the rate for one child issued in error to this claimant although he had two eligible children. I regret that this should have happened.
A supplementary book payable from December 1980 and a payable order in respect of arrears due from July 1980 issued on 23 January 1981 to rectify the matter.
372.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's benefit allowance will be paid to an applicant (details supplied) in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin.
The person concerned has been awarded a deserted wife's benefit at the maximum appropriate rate with effect from 16 October 1980. A pension order book payable from 22 January 1981 has issued 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.
373.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the annual yield to the Exchequer of an increase of 20 per cent in pay-related social insurance.
The annual yield to the Social Insurance Fund from an increase of 20 per cent in the rates of pay-related social insurance contributions is estimated to be of the order of £89 million at current income levels.
374.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not being paid unemployment assistance.
Payment of unemployment assistance was temporarily suspended in this case when it became known that the person concerned had failed to report a change in his family circumstances which affected the rate of assistance payable to him.
His rate of payment has now been adjusted and arrangements have been made to resume payment to him this week.
375.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason his Department reduced the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The reason that the rate of unemployment assistance of the person concerned was reduced is that following an investigation of his case the assessment of his means was increased from £0.35 weekly to £2.50 weekly.
If he is dissatisfied with this decision it is open to him to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination.
A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
376.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying arrears of non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The correct amount of arrears of pension issued to the person concerned on 24 June 1980. Owing to a misunderstanding by the pensioner as to the amount due to her she returned the payable order to my Department together with a letter seeking clarification of the position. The letter was, unfortunately, misplaced and only recently came to notice. I regret this.
A letter explaining the position and a replacement payable order in respect of the arrears issued to the pensioner on 23 January.