asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of arrears which are due to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will now give a direction that all the arrears be paid.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
250.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 18 February 1976 and was paid from 21 February 1976, fourth day of incapacity, to 14 January 1980. Payment was refused after that date following his examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the decision to disallow payment, and, in this connection, was again examined by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The decision to disallow payment was upheld by an appeals officer on 22 May 1980.
He continued to furnish medical evidence of incapacity to my Department after that date but the disallowance of payment was continued. He appealed against the decision to disallow payment and was examined on 13 August 1980 and was found to be incapable of work from that date. His claim was accordingly admitted for payment from 13 August 1980 and he has been paid regularly each week to date.
He subsequently requested that the period 14 January 1980 to 12 August 1980, for which payment had been disallowed, be again referred to an appeals officer for determination. An oral hearing of the case was held on 11 December 1980 and the appeals officer subsequently decided on the evidence before him that he was not incapable of work for the period concerned and that he was not entitled to be paid disability benefit. There are, therefore, no arrears of benefit due to the person concerned.
265.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
All unemployment benefit due to the person concerned was paid on 10 March 1981.
267.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
An invalidity pension payable from 16 April 1981 has been awarded to the person concerned. The pension book is being forwarded to the designated post office of payment for collection by him.
268.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in south-west Cork who applied on 27 September 1980; and whether arrangements will now be made for payment.
A decision on the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be made until protracted inquiries about his means were completed. The matter has now been finalised and payment of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £35.75 (£39 less means £3.25) from 17 September 1980 and £29.80 (£39 less means of £9.20) from 4 March 1981 has been allowed.
Arrangements have been made to pay the person concerned all arrears of unemployment assistance due this week less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which was paid to him pending the decision in his case.