asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and the reason for the delay.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
84.
An appeals officer decided in May 1981 that the person concerned is not entitled to any old age pension as his means, consisting of the weekly profit from housebuilding, exceed the statutory limit. The decision was conveyed to the local pension committee for notification to the claimant on 3 June 1981.
91.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 8 August 1981 and was paid from 12 August 1981, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit due to 17 October 1981, date of the latest medical evidence received has been issued.
The delay in payment was due to industrial action by certain members of the staff of my Department earlier this year.
103.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit for July and August 1981 has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when benefit will be paid.
The reason that the person concerned was not paid unemployment benefit in respect of her recent claim was that she did not satisfy the statutory contribution conditions following the decision of a deciding officer that her employment was not insurable within a contribution class which provided entitlement to unemployment benefit.
The person concerned has appealed against the decision of the deciding officer and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. When the decision of the appeals officer is known her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed.
110.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has still not been paid her pension; and when it will be paid.
An appeals officer has decided that the person concerned is not entitled to any pension as her means consisting of capital, including the capital value of property, and her share of profits from a bed and breakfast business exceed the statutory limit.
111.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has not yet been paid disability benefit due to him since June 1981
The person concerned entered insurance in 1973 and had a total of 121 paid contributions to his credit when he became incapable of work on 30 August 1975. As he had less than 156 contributions to his credit his title to benefit is limited to 52 weeks and he exhausted his entitlement to payment for that period on his claim from 30 August 1975 to 30 August 1976.
He cannot requalify for further payment of disability benefit until at least 13 contributions, which are reckonable for disability benefit purposes, have been paid in respect of him since he exhausted his entitlement to benefit. When he claimed disability benefit on 5 November 1980 he had only two paid contributions on his record since 1976 in respect of employment in the United Kingdom. Inquiries in that country established that he had a further nine paid British contributions to his credit but he still does not satisfy the requalifying condition of payment of at least 13 contributions. For this reason, therefore, he is not entitled to payment of disability benefit on his recent claim from 5 November 1980 to 3 August 1981.
112.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit, which is due from 18 May 1981 and maternity benefit which is due from October 1981 to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 18 May 1981. She was not qualified for payment as she had not sufficient contributions in the 1979-80 contribution year which governed her claim. Following inquiries concerning her employment record in Northern Ireland it was established that she had sufficient contributions in that year to qualify her for disability benefit. Payment has accordingly been made at the maximum appropriate rate from 18 May to 3 October 1981. As from that date she has been paid maternity allowance in respect of her expected confinement.
The question of her entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and any benefit due will issue as soon as possible.
113.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the unmarried mother's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and the reason for the delay.
The person concerned claimed a social assistance allowance on 22 October 1981. Following investigation of her claim she has been awarded an allowance at the maximum appropriate with the effect from that date. An allowance order book has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
There was no delay in the award of social assistance allowance in this case.
114.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been reduced from £33.45 to £23 per week for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will ensure that in future he will be paid at the full rate.
The reason that the weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned was reduced is that following a review of his case a deciding officer increased the assessment of means in his case from £0.65 to £10.25 weekly with effect from 29 July 1981.
The person concerned has appealed against the assessment and, in the light of contentions which he submitted in support of his appeal, his case has been referred again to a social welfare officer for further inquiries, before referring the matter to an appeals officer for determination. Every effort is being made to have the case finalised as quickly as possible.
115.
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 disability benefit from 29 August 1981 and has been paid from 1 September, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 28 October 1981 has issued.
The delay in payment was due to the fact that inquiries were necessary to establish whether she had sufficient paid contributions to her credit since her entry into insurance to qualify her for payment of benefit.
116.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit at the full rate has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit in respect of an accident at work on 23 September 1981. He continued, however, to work up to 25 September 1981.
Pending inquiries regarding the nature and origin of his incapacity he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis from 30 September 1981, fourth day of incapacity. On completion of the inquiries his claim to injury benefit was allowed from 26 September 1981. In addition, payment in respect of his wife and qualified children was made at the same time on receipt of the completed claim form.
All injury benefit due at the full rate less the amount of disability benefit and pay-related benefit paid on an interim basis has been issued.
117.
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 injury benefit from 5 October 1981 in respect of an accident at work on 3 October 1981. Pending the outcome of inquiries regarding the nature and origin of his injury, disability benefit has been paid as an interim measure, from 8 October, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. Payment of disability benefit and pay-related benefit has been made to 31 October 1981. On completion of the inquiries regarding his injury any balance of benefit due will issue immediately.
There was a slight delay in payment in this case, which was due to an administrative error.