asked the Minister for Social Welfare the situation with regard to the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in relation to his claim for unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement on this case.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
152.
The person concerned, who is a recipient of unemployment assistance expressed dissatisfaction with the decision of the deciding officer assessing means in his case and his claim was referred to an appeals officer for determination. Subsequently the appeals officer upheld the decision of the deciding officer and allowed the assessment of means of stand.
The case was a matter for determination in the first instance by a statutorily appointed deciding officer and subsequently by a statutorily appointed appeals officer. In the circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement on how the decision of the deciding officer or the appeals officer was arrived at in the case in question other than to say that it was made in accordance with the statutory provisions governing the assessment of means.
153.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in making social welfare payments to a person (details supplied) in Dublin, and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 March 1981 and has been paid from 26 March, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit due to 18 May 1981 has issued.
The delay in payment was due to the fact that, when he originally claimed, he had not sufficient contributions to his credit in the relevant contribution year to qualify him for benefit. However, following inquiries it was established that he is entitled to payment. When details of his earnings in the relevant tax year are available, pay-related benefit, if due, will issue.
154.
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 21 April 1981 and has been paid from 24 April, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 11 May 1981.
There was delay in some of the initial payments in this case due to a misreading of his RSI number. The matter has now been rectified and payments are issuing on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity.
155.
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 26 March 1980 and was paid from 29 March, fourth day of incapacity at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 23 May 1981 has issued.
When he had completed 52 weeks in receipt of benefit at the end of March 1981 there was a delay in payment while inquiries were being made to establish whether he was entitled to further payment. On completion of these inquiries all arrears of payment due issued.
156.
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 3 March 1981 and has been paid from 6 March, fourth day of incapacity. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 21 March, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
The delay in payment was due mainly to confusion about his RSI number on his intermediate and final certificates as the letter "I" at the end of the number was read as the digit "I".
157.
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 has claimed disability benefit continuously since 2 December 1980. Due to irregularity in the submission of medical evidence of incapacity and confusion about his RSI number the payments issued at irregular intervals. In addition, because of delay in claiming for his dependants he was paid originally as a single man. The matter has now been adjusted and all payment due to 14 May 1981 at the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with two qualified children has been made.
When details of his earnings in the relevant tax year are available, pay-related benefit, if due, will issue.
158.
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 occupational injury benefit from 5 March 1981 in respect of an accident at work. Pending inquiries regarding the nature and origin of his incapacity he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis from 9 March 1981, the fourth day of incapacity.
On completion of the inquiries his claim to injury benefit was allowed from 5 March 1981. Payment of all injury benefit due from that date to 18 May 1981, less the amount of disability benefit paid on an interim basis, has been issued.