asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
195.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined when additional inquiries which were found to be necessary in the case are completed.
In the meantime, it is open to the person concerned to apply for supplementary welfare allowance at his local health board office pending a decision on his claim for unemployment assistance.
196.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in relation to an application for an old age pension by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of a pension has not been recommended as the assessment of the claimant's means, consisting of half the weekly value of her husband's earnings and a holding, exceeds the statutory limit.
If the claimant is dissatisfied with the pension committee's decision it will be open to her to appeal against it.
197.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrangements will be made without delay to refund the pay-related deductions to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin from whom deductions should not have been made because he was over 67 years of age.
The person referred to by the Deputy attained the age of 66 years on 28 December 1979 and took up part-time employment for a period of nine weeks commencing on 26 January 1981. His employer inadvertently paid Class A social insurance contributions in respect of his employment instead of Class J contributions.
On 11 November 1981 the employer claimed a refund of the contributions paid in error and after examination of the claim in my Department a payable order for £102.91 issued to the employer on 15 January 1982. At the same time the person referred to by the Deputy was advised to apply to the employer for refund to him of the sum of £28.04 being the amount of the excess deductions made by the employer in his case.
I understand that application was duly made to the employer and that a refund of the sum of £28.04 is to be made shortly.
198.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when maternity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as it has been due since 3 January 1982.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit in respect of a confinement on 15 March 1982. As, however, she had less then 26 contributions in the 1980-81 governing contribution year she did not satisfy the contribution conditions for receipt of the benefit under the general maternity allowance scheme.
Following inquiries it has been established that the claimant is qualified under the maternity scheme for women in employment by reason of the contributions to her credit in the 12 months immediately preceding her maternity leave. All benefit due from 4 January 1982 to 27 March 1982 has now been paid.
199.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 13 June 1981. Pending inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity disability benefit was paid as an interim measure. All benefit due to 8 August 1981 after which date he was certified fit to resume work has been paid.
On completion of the inquiries regarding the occupational injury it has been accepted that the incapacity was due to an accident at work and payment of injury benefit has been authorised. An adjusting payment representing the difference between the amount of injury benefit due and the amount of disability benefit already paid has now been issued.