asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will furnish particulars relating to the duration of incapacity and the duration of social welfare claims in the form of a reply to Parliamentary Question No. 220 on 10 December 1974.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
457.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
Disability benefit claims paid in 1980 (the latest year for which statistics are available). (a) Number of claims from insured persons with no dependants, 168,913 — 54.6 per cent; (b) Number of claims from insured persons with dependants, 140,450 — 45.4 per cent. Total, 309,363. Average duration of incapacity in the year, 11 weeks, 2 days.
Distribution of claims according to duration in the year:
|
Less than 1 week |
7.7% |
|
1 week and less than 2 weeks |
28.7% |
|
2 weeks and less than 3 weeks |
15.9% |
|
3 weeks and less than 4 weeks |
8.8% |
|
4 weeks and less than 5 weeks |
5.7% |
|
5 weeks and less than 6 weeks |
4.0% |
|
6 weeks and less than 7 weeks |
3.1% |
|
7 weeks and less than 8 weeks |
2.4% |
|
8 weeks and less than 9 weeks |
2.1% |
|
9 weeks and less than 10 weeks |
1.7% |
|
10 weeks and less than 20 weeks |
8.5% |
|
20 weeks and less than 30 weeks |
3.5% |
|
30 weeks and less than 40 weeks |
1.4% |
|
40 weeks and less than 50 weeks |
0.9% |
|
50 weeks and over |
6.1% |
The average duration of incapacity on claims from male workers in the year was nine weeks one day.
458.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the steps being taken to overcome the inordinate delays in the payment of benefits and the problem of certificates being mislaid within her Department etc. which results in unnecessary hardship to claimants and their families.
Every effort is made by my Department to ensure that disability benefit is paid to all claimants who are entitled to payment immediately on the receipt of medical certificates. While there was delay in payment in certain cases earlier this year the position has been back to normal for some time and, except where inquiries are necessary to establish a claimant's entitlement to benefit, payments are being issued without delay.
On the question of medical certificates, problems arising in this respect are usually related to the quoting of the identification number of the claimant. In January last there was a change-over from the old system of social insurance numbers to a new system of Revenue social insurance numbers. This followed the introduction of a pay-related system of social insurance contributions which are collected by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners in conjunction with the PAYE tax system. All claimants were notified individually in writing of the necessity to quote both their old and new numbers on medical certificates submitted by them. In addition an extensive press and television advertising campaign was mounted in December and January advising all claimants to quote both their numbers. Despite these measures many claimants failed to comply with the request and a considerable amount of time had to be spent in attempting to identify the claimants to whom the medical certificates referred with consequential delays in the payment of benefit. The position in this respect has however improved considerably as claimants became accustomed to the new system and quoted correctly their registration numbers thereby eliminating the difficulties that would otherwise arise in connecting medical certificates with claims.
The position was also adversely affected, particularly during the summer months, by industrial action taken by members of the staff who refused to operate certain items of computer equipment. When this dispute was resolved, the back-log of work which had accumulated was cleared as quickly as possible.
459.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the claim for a non-contributory old age pension by a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be decided.
The investigation in this case has been completed and the claim has been referred to the local pension committee for decision with a recommendation for payment of pension at a reduced rate. A pension book and arrears due have been issued provisionally pending the local pension committee's decision. If the claimant is dissatisfied with this decision he will, of course, have the right of appeal against it.
460.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension book will be sent to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
A pension order book was issued in this case on 4 May 1981. When my Department learned in September that the pensioner had not received the book, a replacement was immediately issued to her. Arrears due were issued by payable order.
461.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the new old age pension book will be sent to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
Due to a sorting error the book in question was not delivered to the designated post office. When my Department became aware that the person concerned had not received it inquiries were made which succeeded in tracing the book at another post office. The book was then re-directed to the pensioner who confirmed that he received it on the 6 October 1981.
462.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be reached on the application by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath for an invalidity pension.
An invalidity pension payable from 22 October 1981 has been awarded to the person concerned. The pension book has been forwarded to the designated post office of payment for collection by him.
463.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension book will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
A renewal invalidity pension book from 1 October 1981, at the rate appropriate to a married man with eight qualified children was issued to the designated post office in respect of the person concerned and it is understood that it has been collected by him.
A separate pension book also payable from 1 October 1981, in respect of a ninth qualified child, was issued on 16 October 1981 to the same post office for collection by him.
464.
(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of disability benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin from 1 April 1980 to the date payment was terminated.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit amounting to £624.50 in respect of his claim from 1 April 1980 to 5 July 1980 and to £650.32 in respect of his claim from 1 May 1981 to 28 July 1981. The total amount of benefit paid was, therefore, £1,274.82. The rate of benefit was the maximum weekly rate appropriate to his family circumstances for the duration of both claims. He was not entitled to pay-related benefit.
465.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 28 February 1980 to 31 October 1980 when payment ceased due to non-receipt of medical evidence. Subsequent inquiries by my Department established that he had continued to be incapable of work and had been submitting medical evidence but that he had not been quoting his insurance number, address or other details necessary to identify him. In the circumstances it has been decided to restore payment from 1 November 1980 and benefit is being issued regularly each week in advance of medical evidence which is required at monthly intervals only. He has been informed of the number he is to quote on his certificates. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
466.
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 injury benefit for the periods from 1 April 1981 to 9 May 1981 and from 29 June 1981 to 27 July 1981, in respect of an accident at work on 1 April 1981.
Pending inquiries regarding the nature and origin of his incapacity he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis for the duration of both claims. On completion of these inquiries his entitlement to injury benefit was established and adjusting payments were issued to him.
There was no delay in the payment of benefit on the first claim. The delay in payment on the second claim was due to industrial action by members of the staff of my Department.
467.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will make arrangements to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
On 28 November 1980 the person concerned claimed disability benefit in respect of an incapacity for work during the period from 1 April 1980 to 28 June 1980. As she had no contributions to her credit in the contribution year 1978-79 which governed entitlement to benefit on her claim she was informed that she was not entitled to payment.
It was subsequently ascertained that she had sufficient British contributions to qualify her for payment. As, however, her claim was not made within the prescribed time she was precluded by regulations from receiving payment for any period more than six months prior to the date of making her claim. On this basis the claim was allowed from 28 May 1980 and payment was made from that date to 28 June 1980 after which date she was certified fit to resume work.
There is no record in my Department of a subsequent claim to disability benefit from this person.
468.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 July 1981 and has been paid from that date at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 20 October 1981, date of the latest medical evidence received, has been issued.
469.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 20 July 1981, submitting his first and final certificates together. He was paid from 23 July, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum personal rate, to 25 July, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. The cheque issued on 4 August. An adjusting cheque in respect of his dependants issued on 12 October, the date on which claim for them was received in my Department. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as his claim covered a period of less than 12 days.
470.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 June 1981 and was paid from 23 June, fourth day of incapacity. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 18 July 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. The benefit cheques issued on 13 August, 21 September and 30 September 1981.
471.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability or occupational injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit in respect of an accident at work on 14 September 1981.
Pending inquiries as to his entitlement to injury benefit he was paid disability benefit from 18 September 1981, fourth day of incapacity, and pay-related from 29 September 1981, 13th day of incapacity.
On completion of inquiries his claim for injury benefit was allowed from 14 September 1981, date of accident, and an adjusting payment in respect of the period 14 September 1981 to 5 October 1981, was made on the 13 October 1981.
Subsequent payments of injury benefit and pay-related benefit have been made up to 16 October 1981.
472.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in Dublin was refused unemployment benefit on the grounds that she was unfit to work due to a disability in view of the fact that a few weeks earlier she had been notified by her Department that as a result of their medical examination she was no longer entitled to disability benefit on the grounds that she was now fit for work; why this confusion has arisen; and if she will order an investigation into this matter.
The person concerned was not refused unemployment benefit on the grounds that she was unfit to work as stated by the Deputy. The reason her claim to unemployment benefit was disallowed was that, on the basis of evidence which she herself furnished, a deciding officer decided that she was not available for employment.
The person concerned was advised of the decision and of her right to have her case referred to an appeals officer for determination if she was dissatisfied with the decision. To date she has not done so.
473.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been submitting medical certificates over the past ten months in support of his application for disability benefit and that no payments have yet been made; and, if so, if she will take steps to arrange for immediate payment.
The person concerned has been claiming disability benefit since December 1980. As he had no record of insurance in this country he was not entitled to payment from my Department.
As he had been employed in Great Britain the claim was originally forwarded to the British Department of Health and Social Security but payment was refused by that Department. Following further consideration it has been decided to pay disability benefit on an interim basis pending the clarification of his entitlement under the British Acts.
A cheque paying benefit up to 17 October 1981, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid by the local health board, has been issued to him.
474.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 16 August 1971 to 10 May 1980. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who considered him capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance of his benefit and he was again examined by a different medical referee who also considered him capable of work. The appeals officer to whom the case was referred upheld the decision in respect of the period 12 May 1980 to 29 May 1980, the date of the latest medical certificate before him.
As he contends that he has remained incapable of work since May 1980 and is in a position to furnish medical evidence to that effect arrangements have been made to have him again examined by a medical referee on 23 October 1981. On receipt of the report of this examination his case will be reviewed and a decision will be given on the question of his entitlement to disability benefit.
475.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the regular payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned had been in receipt of disability benefit continuously from 16 October 1980 at the maximum rate appropriate to a married man. As according to the records of my Department he has less than 156 paid contributions to his credit since his entry into insurance his title to payment ceased on 14 October 1981 on completion of the statutory period of 12 months entitlement to benefit.
As it is understood that he had been employed in Great Britain inquiries are being made with the British Department of Health and Social Security with a view to ascertaining whether he had sufficient British contributions to qualify him for further payment. On completion of these inquiries his claim will be reviewed and he will be notified of the position.
476.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment and disability benefits will be paid in full to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned did not claim unemployment benefit from my Department.
He did, however, claim disability benefit from 11 May 1981 and was paid from 14 May 1981, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All benefit due to 22 August 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, has been issued. Due to industrial action by members of the staff of my Department the initial payment was not made until 15 August 1981. In the meantime he had been in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the local health board. The amount paid to him therefore represented the difference between the total amount of benefit payable and the amount of the welfare allowance paid during the period of his claim.
He had earlier notified my Department of the non-receipt of a cheque for £159.42 which issued for the period 24 December 1980 to 20 January 1981 in respect of a previous claim to disability benefit. As the cheque concerned had been cashed and returned by the bank and as the signature on it appeared to be the same as the signatures on other paid cheques it was referred to an inspector of my department for investigation. Following inspection of the cheque, the claimant agreed that he had in fact received and cashed it.
He again claimed disability benefit from 28 September 1981 and has been paid from 1 October 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 17 October 1981 at the maximum appropriate rate.
He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as the rate of flat rate disability benefit payable in his case exceeds his average weekly earnings in the income tax year relevant to his claim.
477.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned is a postal claimant and an order in respect of all unemployment benefit due issued to her last week for encashment at her local post office.
478.
asked the Minister the Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 5 May 1981 and he was assessed with means of £25.00 weekly, which exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case.
He appealed against the assessment and an appeals officer reduced the assessment to £20.00 weekly, which also exceeded the rate of unemployment assistance payable until 30 September 1981 when the appropriate rate was increased to £20.35.
The person concerned was accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £0.35 being the maximum rate £20.35 less means £20.00 and as he is a postal claimant an order paying unemployment assistance due issued to him during the week commencing 12 October 1981 for encashment at his local post office.
479.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway from the date of the original application in November 1980; and, if not, why.
The claim to unemployment assistance of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit.
The claimant appealed against the decision but an appeal officer upheld the assessment of means in the case.
The claimant recently furnished additional details of expenses and requested a further investigation of his case. His case was investigated by a social welfare supervisor of my Department and his report was referred to the appeals officer.
The appeals officer reaffirmed that there was no evidence to warrant a revision of his decision and in consequence the person concerned is not entitled to unemployment assistance in respect of his claim.
480.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 July 1981 and has been paid from 29 July, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum personal rate. In addition he was paid pay-related benefit from 8 August, 13th day of incapacity. All payment due on this basis to the 13 October 1981 has been made. The amount of pay-related benefit payable has been included in the cheques which have issued to him.
On the claim form completed by him on 13 August 1981 he failed to complete the portion of the form relating to a claim for an increase of benefit in respect of his wife. A duplicate claim form has been issued to him and on its return, duly completed, any adjusting payment due will be made.
481.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a maternity allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit in respect of a confinement expected on 13 January 1981 and ordinarily she would have been entitled to payment from 8 December 1980. As payment of disability benefit and maternity benefit cannot be made concurrently and as she had already been in receipt of disability benefit from 28 July 1980 to 15 January 1981, she was only entitled to maternity allowance from 16 January.
Payment of the allowance after 24 January 1981 was held pending the receipt of notification of confinement. On receipt of the required certificate a cheque for the period 26 January to 28 February 1981, plus an adjusting payment due in respect of the period up to 15 January 1981, was issued on 18 August 1981.
482.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to have free telephone rental sanctioned for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
No application for this allowance has been received in my Department from the person concerned and the details supplied are insufficient to enable me to give a decision on the case. I have had an application form issued to this person and on receipt of the completed application in my Department a decision will be made and he will be notified of the outcome.