andMr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Social Welfare why there is a different method for assessing capital for the purpose of calculating widow's pension in order to determine the means of the applicant as against the method employed for non-contributory old age pension; and if he will outline the method used in each case.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
272.
In the case of non-contributory widow's pension the yearly value of capital is calculated by excluding the first £200.00 and a further £100.00 for each qualified child and taking 5 per cent of the balance. In the case of non-contributory old age pension, the first £200.00 is also excluded, the next £375.00 is calculated at 5 per cent and any balance at 10 per cent.
The method of assessing capital for widow's pension as compared with old age pension is designed to take account of the fact that as widows generally are younger than old age pensioners the annuity value of a given amount of capital will be lower in their case. It also takes account of the special needs of widows with children. Furthermore widows cannot benefit from the moiety system whereby the means of an old age pensioner are divided between himself and his wife for assessment purposes.
273.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford as he could not accept a position as postman because of inability to read or write.
The reason why unemployment assistance was not paid to the person concerned is that his claim was disallowed from 9 April 1980, on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work as he had refused to be considered for a particular job as postman.
He appealed against this decision and after an oral hearing of his case at which the question of his suitability for the particular job was adverted to an appeals officer upheld the disallowance in his case.
The person concerned again claimed unemployment assistance on 23 December 1980, and inquiries had to be made to establish if he was now genuinely seeking employment. Having completed these inquiries a deciding officer has recently allowed the claim.
An order has been issued to his local post office in respect of all arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned.
274.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 28 February 1981. Payment issued regularly to 5 January 1981 after which date the medical certificates were received at irregular intervals resulting in delay in payment.
His claim has been reviewed, however, and in view of the circumstances of his case, it has been decided to pay him at weekly intervals in advance of medical certification which, in future, will only be required at monthly intervals.
275.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The reason for the delay in payment to the person concerned is that entitlement to pay-related benefit could not be established until particulars of his earnings during the income tax year April 1978 to April 1979 were received.
The earnings in question were only recently made available and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of pay-related benefit due to the person concerned this week.
276.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 June 1980 but was not qualified for payment at the time as, according to the records of my Department, he had not the necessary required minimum of 26 contributions paid since his entry into insurance. Following inquiries it has been established that he had sufficient weeks of insurable employment to qualify him for benefit. Payment of all disability benefit due to him to 12 February 1981, date of the latest medical certificate received, has been made.
He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
277.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether investigations into the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin who alleges that social Welfare cheques were cashed by someone other than herself, have been completed, or will be completed in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The question of non-receipt of eight disability benefit cheques, which issued to the person concerned in 1978 has been referred to the Garda for investigation. The Deputy was notified to this effect in reply to a question on 29 January 1981. The Garda have intimated that inquiries in the matter are being actively pursued.
278.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that, following the withdrawal of a small disabled person's benefit allowance from a person (details supplied), free bus travel was also withdrawn; and if, in view of the details of the case, he will restore the free bus pass.
I am aware that the person concerned was entitled to free travel while she was in receipt of a disabled person's maintenance allowance which was withdrawn by the relevant health board in 1978.
As she is under 66 years of age and is not at present in receipt of any allowance or pension which would entitle her to free travel, I regret that I am unable to issue a free travel pass to her. She is, of course, entitled to travel free when accompanying her husband who is the holder of a free travel pass.