asked the Minister for Social Welfare the steps that are being taken to speed up payments of moneys which are outstanding for long periods, to dentists and other professional people in respect of work done under social welfare schemes.
Written Answers. - Professional Fee Payments.
283.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
Payments to dentists' ophthalmic opticians under my Department's treatment benefits scheme are made at monthly intervals and I am not aware of any undue delay in the settlement of claims which are in order for payment.
290.
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.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 January 1981 and has been paid from 3 February, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has issued to 24 March 1981. The delay in payment is due to the fact that he is quoting an incorrect RSI number on his certificates. He has been advised of the correct number.
291.
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.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 June 1978. He was paid promptly up to 28 February 1981 at which stage his weekly rate of benefit was due for adjustment when his daughter attained age 18 years. Due to an administrative error payment at the revised rate was not resumed after that date. The matter has since been rectified and payment to 28 March 1981 has been issued. The error is regretted.
294.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not receiving the old age pension at the full rate.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
It was decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned has only been entitled to a non-contributory old age pension at the rate of £7.20 a week from 22 August 1980. His means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding, allowing for the cost of necessary labour, do not entitle him to pension at a higher rate.
295.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid the old age pension at the full rate.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
The person concerned has been in receipt of maximum rate non-contributory old age pension, including an allowance for his wife, since he attained pension age in July 1974.
The person's wife attained pension age in December 1978 but, in spite of being advised at the time to claim pension in her own right, she refused to sign the relevant forms and matters proceeded no further. Just recently, however, the lady supplied the social welfare officer with the necessary authorisation to enable him to investigate her entitlement to pension. Inquiries are proceeding at present and the social welfare officer expects to be in a position to make a recommendation to the local pension committee shortly.
296.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of occupational Injury benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
The person concerned did not claim occupational injury benefit from my Department. He has been paid in respect of disability benefit from 8 March 1975 and has been paid continuously from that date to 28 March 1981.
297.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been refused unemployment assistance.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
The claim to unemployment assistance of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the assessment of means in his case it is open to him to appeal against the decision and to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination. An appeal form for this purpose may be obtained at his nearest local office.
298.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been refused unemployment assistance.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
The claim for unemployment assistance of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case. The person concerned has recently appealed against the disallowance and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination.
299.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Galway has had his travel voucher taken from him.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
The free travel pass held by the person in question has not been recalled. I am not aware of any circumstances in which it was taken from him. If, however, this pensioner has lost his pass, he may apply to my Department for a replacement in the normal manner.
300.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not receiving the old age pension at the full rate.
Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)
The person concerned is in receipt of non-contributory old age pension at the rate appropriate to a means assessment of £7.77 a week. His means, consisting of a holding and capital do not entitle him to a pension at the maximum rate. If there has been any material change in the pensioner's circumstances it is open to him to apply for an increase in his old age pension.