asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
245.
The reason why the weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned was reduced is that following an investigation of his case a deciding officer increased the assessment of his means from £3.75 to £11.35 weekly based on the notional value of his land and the value of his earnings from self employment.
If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the decision in his case it is open to him to appeal against it and to have his claim referred to an appeals officer for determination. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
246.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why occupational injury benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 4 December 1980 in respect of an incapacity arising out of an accident at work.
Pending investigation of the claim to injury benefit she was paid disability benefit on an interim basis, from 8 December 1980, the fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due were paid in respect of the period up to 7 February 1981, when she was certified fit to resume work.
Investigation of the claim to injury benefit revealed that the accident at work had occurred on 8 May 1980. As injury benefit is statutorily limited to a maximum period of 26 weeks from the date of the accident she was not entitled to payment of this benefit in respect of her claim from 4 December 1980.
She again became incapable of work from 27 April 1981 in respect of the same incapacity and disability benefit has been paid from 30 April 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 11 May 1981. Further payments will issue as they fall due.
247.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 3 March 1981 to a question by him regarding the person concerned.
The medical evidence required has since been received and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 26 May 1981. On receipt of the referee's report his claim will be reviewed.
248.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit from 28 February 1980 and has been paid from that date at the maximum appropriate rate. Disability benefit issued regularly on the same day each week up to week ending 28 March 1981. Payment was suspended after that date as a cheque issued on 2 March, covering the period 2 March to 7 March, was returned to the Department without any explanation. When it was established that he was still incapable of work, and residing at the same address payment was resumed and all disability benefit due to 16 May has issued. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
249.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit has been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit on a weekly basis from 20 December 1977 to 6 December 1980. As she attained pension age on 23 October she was awarded old age contributory pension from 24 October 1980. Payment of all pension due from that date, less the amount of disability benefit overpaid, has been made to her.
As it appears that she may not have received some of the disability benefit cheques which issued to her after 30 September 1980, all the cheques which issued after that date will be shown to her by an inspector of my Department so that she may indicate which cheques, if any, were not received by her.
250.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 August 1980 and was paid at the maximum appropriate rate from that date to 7 February 1981. Due to an administrative error payment ceased after that date. All disability benefit due to 9 May 1981 has, however, now been paid. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
251.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 November 1980 and was paid from 19 November 1980, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit due to 24 November 1980 was issued. Payment ceased at that stage as no further medical certificates were received. As it was subsequently established from his employers that he resumed work on 8 December 1980 the balance of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 6 December has been paid.
He again claimed disability benefit from 23 January 1981 and was paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 29 January 1981, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 3 March has issued. No further certificates were received and it has not been possible to establish the date he was fit to resume work as he was laid off by his employers on 22 January 1981. If he submits a note from his doctor stating date he was fit to resume work any balance due will issue.
A further claim from 17 April 1981 has now been received from him and payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 8 May 1981 has been made.
252.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when maternity benefit will be resumed, and arrears paid, to a claimant (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit in respect of a confinement expected on 26 January 1981 and was paid from 22 December 1980 to 7 February 1981. Payment after that date has been held pending the receipt of notification of confinement, which she has been requested to furnish. On receipt of the required certificate the balance of maternity benefit due will issue.
253.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the last two payments of disability benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 18 February 1981 and was paid from 21 February 1981 at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 10 April 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, has been issued.
He was originally paid disability benefit at the rate appropriate to a single man plus pay-related benefit, the combined total of which equalled his earnings in the relevant tax year. When he submitted the completed claim form for increases in respect of his wife and four children the basic rate of disability benefit was increased but the rate of pay-related benefit was reduced to comply with the statutory provision that the combined weekly total of disability benefit and pay-related benefit may not exceed the weekly wage in the relevant year.
A list of cheques which issued to him for the duration of his claim has been forwarded to him and if he is of the opinion that certain payments have not been received by him and he notifies my Department accordingly replacement action will be taken immediately.