asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying a non-contributory old age pension allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
144.
The social welfare officer who investigated the claim of the person concerned on 5 May 1981 recommended against the award of pension on the grounds that his means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding, a public house and capital, exceed the statutory limit.
Because the claimant had informed the social welfare officer that he was transferring his property to his sons, referral of the claim to the local pension committee was postponed to give him time to produce deeds of transfer. These documents were not forthcoming, however, and, on 23 July 1981, the claim was referred to the committee for decision. The committee, in its turn, decided to allow the claimant more time to supply the deeds and deferred a decision.
The deeds have still not come to hand but the pension committee will, it is understood, be giving its decision very shortly. If it is unfavourable the claimant will have the right of appeal against it.
145.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 1 July 1981 in respect of an accident at work on that date. Following inquiries as to the origin and nature of the incapacity all injury benefit and pay-related benefit due from 1 July 1981 to 26 October 1981 has been issued.
There was an initial delay in processing the claim due to industrial action by certain members of the staff of my Department in July 1981. Payments have, however, been issued promptly since 13 August 1981 on the receipt of medical evidence of incapacity and there has been no delay in payment since that date.
146.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 August 1981 and has been paid all disability benefit due from 15 August 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 28 October 1981, date of the latest medical evidence received.
Payment of pay-related benefit was not made at the appropriate time as there was no record in my Department of his earnings for 1979-80, the tax year relevant to his claim. He was accordingly requested on 13 October 1981 to furnish an employer's statement giving details of his earnings in that year to enable payment of pay-related benefit due to issue. In his reply to this inquiry he quoted his insurance number instead of his RSI number and this resulted in some delay in associating the reply with his papers.
In the meantime an Inspector of my Department visited his employer seeking the required information and payment of all pay-related benefit due from 26 August 1981, 13th day of incapacity, to 28 October 1981 has now been issued.