asked the Minister for Social Welfare the social welfare and pay-related entitlements of a person (details supplied) in Dublin; the manner in which they were calculated; and if all payments due to him have now been made.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
398.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 January 1981 and was paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due from 27 January 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 14 March 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was entitled to disability benefit at the weekly rate of £60.30, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with five qualified children and payment was made as follows: Period 27 January 1981 to 14 March 1981 = six weeks, five days at £60.30 per week = £412.05.
The position regarding payment of pay-related benefit is that his average earnings for 1979-80 on which entitlement was based amounted to £3,669, equivalent to £73.38 per week. As the total weekly amount of flat-rate benefit and pay-related benefit payable may not exceed the average weekly earnings in the tax year relevant to the claim, the amount of pay-related benefit payable in his case was limited to £13.08 a week, that is the difference between his average weekly earnings (£73.38) and the weekly flat rate of disability benefit (£60.30). He was accordingly paid pay-related benefit for the period 6 February 1981 to 14 March 1981, five weeks, two days at the rate of £13.08 per week, amounting to £69.76, which was his full entitlement. Pay-related benefit is payable only from the thirteenth day of incapacity.
399.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment benefit has not been paid since October 1980 to a person (details supplied) in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was not entitled to unemployment benefit from 20 October 1980 to 3 January 1981, as she did not satisfy the statutory contribution conditions during the period governing her claim.
Inquiries are presently in train to establish her employment record during the period April 1979 to April 1980 which governs entitlement to unemployment benefit in the new benefit year commencing on 5 January 1981. When these investigations are completed her title to unemployment benefit from 5 January 1981, less the period 8 January 1981 to 9 February 1981, when she resumed work, will be decided as expeditiously as possible.
400.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for disability benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 November 1980. She was not entitled to payment at the time as she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions in the governing contribution year 1978-79. Inquiries initiated by my Department resulted in outstanding contributions being paid by her employers. All disability benefit due to 21 March 1981 has now been paid.
The question of entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and any benefit due will issue as soon as possible.
401.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 February 1981 and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate from that date. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 25 March 1981.
402.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The claim of the person concerned is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle on Tyne, England, under the EEC Regulations on Social Security. The United Kingdom authorities have advised that payment of sickness benefit ceased in May 1980 when he was again considered to be capable of work for the second time by a medical referee. It is understood that his appeal against the decision refusing payment of sickness benefit will be heard shortly.
403.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 September 1980 and has been paid from 4 September 1980, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit due, less refund of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the health board, has issued to 27 March 1981.
There has been no undue delay in the payment of disability benefit in this case. The benefit cheques are, however, issued at irregular intervals but this is due to the fact that he only submits his certificates at such intervals. He appears to attend his certifier about every four to six weeks as he submits his certificates in batches of four to six at a time. Some of the certificates are in fact endorsed by the certifier with the words "signed in retrospect". In addition he is still quoting his old insurance number on the certificates despite the fact that he was requested some months ago to quote his RSI number on them. In fact the Deputy only quoted his insurance number when putting down this question. His entitlement to pay-related benefit will be determined when he replies to the inquiry seeking details of his earnings in the 1978-1979 tax year.
404.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Extensive inquiries were necessary to establish that the person concerned was available for and genuinely seeking employment before entitlement to unemployment benefit could be decided. The investigations in the case were recently completed and all unemployment benefit due to the person concerned is awaiting collection by him since the 27 March 1981 at the Branch Employment Office, Killarney.
405.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the nonpayment of a children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person in question was awarded a children's allowance from October 1980 following a claim which was received in September 1980 in respect of a child born in February 1980. As a claim had not been received within three months of the date of birth this was the earliest date from which payment could be made. A claim which claimant stated had been submitted at an earlier date could not be traced despite an exhaustive search in my Department. However, on re-examination of the circumstances I have arranged for payment to be made from March 1980. A payable order for £43.00 in respect of the arrears due issued on 27 March 1981.
406.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is being withheld from a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and why the applicant has been asked to repay benefit already paid.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment benefit in respect of her recent claim as she does not fulfil the statutory contribution conditions. However payment of unemployment benefit at the weekly rate of £17.00 from 5 January 1981 to 25 February 1981 was authorised and paid in error and, as the amount paid falls to be recouped to the Social Insurance Fund, the person concerned has been asked to state what steps she intends taking to refund the amount which was overpaid to her.
407.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the renewed delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has received no payment since the last week in February.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 26 January 1981 in respect of an accident at work on 20 January. Pending the outcome of inquiries regarding the nature and origin of his injuries he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis. On the completion of these inquiries it was accepted that his incapacity for work arose out of his employment and his claim for injury benefit was allowed. His claim was adjusted on the basis of the decision regarding the occupational accident and all injury benefit and pay-related benefit due to 26 March 1981 has been paid.
408.
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 claimed disability benefit from 21 February 1981 and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 25 February, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 25 March has issued.
The delay in payment is due to the fact that he is quoting his insurance number instead of his RSI number on his medical certificates.
409.
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 claimed disability benefit in respect of an incapacity which commenced on 24 December 1980. She has been paid at maximum appropriate rate up to 28 March 1981, after which date she is expected to resume employment. The question of her entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and any benefit due will issue as soon as possible. The delay in payment was due to the fact that she appears to be quoting an incorrect RSI number on the medical certificates submitted in connection with her claim. She has been advised of the correct RSI number which should be quoted in all correspondence with my Department.
410.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has received no social welfare benefits for six weeks and that he has a wife and four children to support; if he will take steps to rectify this situation as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 2 February 1981 and was paid from 5 February, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been paid up to 7 March 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
411.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the recently announced increase in fuel vouchers has not been provided to a person (details supplied) in Dublin; and when it will be provided.
I understand from the Eastern Health Board, which operates the national fuel scheme in the Dublin area, that the additional fuel vouchers to give effect to the increase in value granted under the Budget are now being issued at health centres. The person concerned may collect these vouchers by calling to her local health centre at Ballyfermot any day between 10 and 11 am or 4 and 5 pm. Arrangements for the distribution of fuel vouchers are a matter for each individual health board.
412.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why the recent increase in fuel vouchers has not been provided to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and when the increase will be provided.
I understand from the Eastern Health Board, which operates the national fuel scheme in the Dublin area, that the additional fuel vouchers to give effect to the increase in value granted under the Budget are now being issued at health centres.
The person concerned may collect these vouchers by calling to her local health centre at Ballyfermot any day between 10 and 11 am or 4 and 5 pm. Arrangements for the distribution of fuel vouchers are a matter for each individual health board.
413.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment benefit has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin; if he is aware that the applicant has been signing for unemployment benefit since October last and that she has supplied her British insurance records and her receipts from the Eastern Health Board; when unemployment benefit will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Inquiries were necessary to establish whether the person concerned was qualified for unemployment benefit on the basis of her contribution record.
The necessary investigations were completed in February 1981 and payment of unemployment benefit due from 19 February 1981 was made on 26 February 1981 and subsequently at weekly intervals. Arrears of unemployment benefit due from the date of commencement of her claim were held awaiting details of supplementary welfare allowance payments which were advanced to her by the Eastern Health Board pending a decision on her case.
The details of supplementary welfare allowance payment have now been received and arrangements are being made to pay any adjustment due to the person concerned as early as possible.
414.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the facts of a case (details supplied) in County Dublin, he will confirm that the free bus pass will not be withdrawn.
As the person concerned is not yet 66 years of age and is not a registered blind person or in receipt of any allowance or pension which would entitle her to free travel, I regret that there is no way which I could authorise her continued use of the free travel pass which was issued to her when she was in receipt of a disabled person's maintenance allowance. The free travel pass should, therefore, be returned to my Department. The Deputy will, I am sure, appreciate that it would be unfair to other people if a person who does not fulfil the conditions of entitlement to free travel were to be given a free travel pass.
Persons who are unable to meet their needs from their own resources may be entitled to assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme operated by the health board. If the person concerned considers herself to be in this category she should apply for assistance to the community welfare officer at the health centre nearest her home.
415.
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 Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 January 1981 and all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due from 24 January 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 25 March 1981 has been issued.
Payment of pay-related benefit could not be made until details of his reckonable earnings for 1979-1980, the tax year relevant to his claim, became available to my Department. Payment of pay-related benefit was made immediately on receipt of this information.
416.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of sickness and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 February 1981 and has been paid from 25 February 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 30 March 1981. His entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and payment due, if any, will issue on completion of inquiries. The delay in payment, was due mainly to the change-over from insurance numbers to RSI numbers for the purpose of payment of benefit.
417.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 3 March 1981 and all disability benefit due from 6 March 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 26 March 1981 has been issued. His entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and payment due, if any, will issue on completion of inquiries. He delayed forwarding the initial medical certificate, dated 3 March 1981, until after he had obtained the second certificate and this was mainly responsible for the delay in payment.
418.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of occupational injury and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 6 January 1981 in respect of an accident at work on 5 January 1981. Pending investigation of his claim he has been paid disability benefit, as an interim measure, from 6 January, first day of incapacity. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 26 March has been made. The delay in payment is due to the fact that he is quoting his insurance number, instead of his RSI number, on his medical certificates. He will be notified of the result of the investigation into his title to injury benefit when the inquiries have been completed.
419.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 2 July 1979 in respect of an accident at work on 25 June 1979. Pending investigation of his claim he has been paid disability benefit as an interim measure from 5 July 1979, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit due has been paid to 4 April, 1981. There were some delays in payments since January due to the change-over from the system of insurance numbers to RSI numbers. However, it has been decided in future to pay him at regular weekly intervals in advance of medical evidence which is required at monthly intervals only. His entitlement to pay-related benefit ceased at 1 October 1980 when he had been paid for the maximum statutory 381 days. He will be notified of the result of the investigation into his title to injury benefit when the inquiries have been completed.
420.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 14 December 1979. Following examination by a medical referee, who was of the opinion that she was capable of work, her claim was disallowed from 23 May 1980. She appealed against this decision but did not proceed with the appeal and submitted a final certificate indicating that she was fit to resume work on 9 June 1980. She again claimed disability benefit in respect of the same incapacity from 18 August 1980 and was paid to 25 August 1980, when her claim was reviewed and further payment was refused. She indicated that she wished to appeal against this decision but she failed to return the form sent to her for completion in connection with her appeal. She has again been requested to return this form but in the meantime arrangements are being made to have her examined by a medical referee. The claim will be reviewed on receipt of the referee's report. Pending the outcome of the appeal, her claim was admitted from 19 January 1981 and payment has been made to 30 March 1981.
421.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 17 January 1981. Pending inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity, he was paid disability benefit as an interim measure from 21 January 1981, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit due to 7 February 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume employment, has been paid. He was not entitled to payment of pay-related benefit, as the weekly amount of flat-rate disability benefit in payment exceeded his average weekly earnings in the tax year relevant to his claim. The delay in payment was due to the fact that he failed to quote his RSI number on the second and subsequent medical certificates submitted to my Department.
422.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 13 January 1981 and was paid from 16 January, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit due has been paid to 24 January 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
423.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit which is outstanding for some time will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 June 1980. He was not qualified for payment at the date of his claim as he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions in 1978-79, the contribution year governing his claim. Following inquiries it has been established that he had sufficient weeks of insurable employment in that year to qualify him for payment. All disability benefit due from 11 June 1980, fourth day of incapacity, to 21 June 1980, date of final certificate, has been issued. He has been requested to furnish details of his earnings for 1978-79 in order that his entitlement to pay-related benefit can be considered and on receipt of this information in my Department payment due, if any, will be issued.
424.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit which is owed for some time will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 27 February 1981 in respect of incapacity due to an accident at work on 18 February 1981.
Inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity were necessary before payment could be allowed. On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was due to an accident at work and the claim was authorised.
Payment of injury benefit has been made in respect of the period of incapacity from 18 February 1981 to 27 March 1981.
425.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit which is owed for some time will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 26 January 1981 in respect of an accident at work on 23 January 1981. Pending investigation of his claim he has been paid disability benefit, as an interim measure, from 29 January, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due, less refund of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the health board, has issued to 23 March. He will be notified of the result of the investigation into his title to injury benefit when the inquiries have been completed.
426.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit which is owed for some time will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has made herself available for work.
Arrangements have been made to pay unemployment benefit this week to the person concerned.
427.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 January 1981 and has been paid from 20 January, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due, less refund to the health board of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has issued to 28 March 1981.
428.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The claim to unemployment assistance of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that he was not available for or genuinely seeking work. The person concerned has appealed against the disallowance and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. An early decision in the case is anticipated.
429.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit was paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo up to January 1980; and if pension rights have since been given to the applicant.
The person concerned, who attained age 65 years on 20 August 1980, claimed retirement pension in December 1980. As he was at that time in receipt of disability benefit it was necessary to terminate payment of benefit before the pension could be awarded. Payment of disability benefit was terminated with effect from 31 January 1981 and a pension book at the appropriate rate was issued to the designated post office for collection by him. A cheque to cover the arrears of pension, after deduction of the amount of disability benefit paid from 20 August 1980 to 31 January 1981, has been issued to him.
430.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 30 June 1979 to 29 September 1979. She was paid maternity allowance from 1 October to 22 December 1979, after which date payment of disability benefit was resumed. As she has less than 156 contributions paid since entry into insurance, her title to benefit is limited to 52 weeks in a period of interruption of employment. She ceased to be entitled to disability benefit on 16 September 1980.
She cannot requalify for further benefit until she resumes employment and has at least two further weeks of insurable employment. The Deputy was notified to this effect in December last.
431.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 February 1981 and has been paid from 3 March 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 23 March 1981. His entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and payment due, if any, will issue on completion of inquiries.
432.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned has been continuously in receipt of unemployment assistance since 7 July 1980. According to the records of my Department all unemployment assistance due to him has been paid.
433.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 14 February 1981 and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 20 March, date of latest medical evidence received. Delay in payment was due to the fact that he quoted his insurance number instead of his RSI number on his first certificate thereby causing delay in processing his claim.