asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will pay a widow's pension, retrospective to March 1978, to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
531.
The person concerned originally claimed a widow's non-contributory pension in April 1977. Following investigation it was decided on four separate occasions that she was not entitled to a pension on the basis of means derived from property and capital. She appealed against these decisions but they were upheld by the appeals officers.
In March 1981 the means assessment was reduced following the transfer of assets to members of her family and she qualified for a partial rate pension from 1 July 1980 and for pension at the maximum appropriate rate from 5 December 1980. Payment of all widow's pension due from those dates has been made.
532.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Galway who was employed from 27 May to 16 September 1981 has not been credited with social welfare contributions by her Department for that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned first became employed in August 1968 and has contributions to her credit under her old insurance number in respect of insurable employment each year up to 1979. She also has credited contributions for those years in respect of the periods during which she claimed unemployment benefit.
The contributions paid in respect of her employment from 27 May to 16 September 1981 are not due to be notified by her employer until after the expiration of the current contribution year in April 1982 when he will make his RSI returns to the Revenue Commissioners. Ordinarily, these contributions are reckonable for entitlement to benefit in the benefit year commencing in January 1983.
The person concerned is not at present claiming benefit from my Department.
539.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 May 1981 and was paid from 26 May 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 4 June 1981 when he was certified as fit to resume work. He subsequently informed the Department that he had been ill in March/April 1981 and he was requested to forward medical evidence covering the period of the incapacity. Payment for the period 19 March 1981 to 11 April 1981 has issued to him following receipt of the medical evidence.
540.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 25 May 1981 to 19 October 1981. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who considered him capable of work. He has appealed against the disallowance of benefit and, in connection with his appeal, arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee. He will be notified of the time, date and venue for the examination as soon as the arrangements are completed. On receipt of the report of the medical referee examination his claim for disability benefit will be reviewed.
541.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare is she will arrange for the immediate payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 September 1981 and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate from that date. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 14 November 1981.