asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit has not been paid in full to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
860.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 September 1981 and was paid from 23 September 1981, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 10 October 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, has been issued.
Payment of disability benefit was made initially at the rate appropriate to a single man pending the receipt of a claim form giving details of his dependants. On receipt of the necessary details an adjustment cheque paying an increase in benefit in respect of his wife was issued. The full amount of pay-related benefit due on the claim was included in the cheque which issued on 14 October 1981.
861.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if payment has now been made.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 5 March 1982 and inquiries were necessary to establish whether he satisfied the statutory contribution conditions. Inquiries were completed and all arrears of unemployment benefit due to him were paid on 2 April 1982. Weekly payments of £75.00 continue to be made to him as they fall due.
862.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a deserted wife's allowance has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and when it will be paid.
No claim to a deserted wife's allowance from the person concerned can be traced in my Department. An application form has been sent to her and when the completed form is returned her claim will be investigated immediately.
863.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if and when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin who has been in correspondence with his Department for some time in connection with a claim which refers to a period in 1979-1980.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit in respect of the periods from 7 September to 12 September 1981 and from 6 October to 13 October 1981.
As, according to the records of my Department, she had less than the minimum of 26 contributions to her credit in the governing 1979/80 contribution year, it was necessary to make inquiries regarding her employment in that year before her entitlement to benefit could be ascertained. As a result of these inquiries it was established that she had in fact sufficient weeks of insurable employment to qualify her for payment. All disability benefit due on her claims has now issued. She is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
864.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is a qualified applicant.
The person concerned has been claiming disability benefit at intervals since 13 October 1978. As he has less than 156 contributions paid since his entry into insurable employment on 15 January 1973, his title to benefit is limited to 52 weeks. This period of entitlement was completed on 18 December 1979. However he was paid benefit in error on claims made after that date and in fact has been overpaid amounts totalling £1,577.93. He was notified of the position on 3 November 1981 and on April 1982. The claimant cannot requalify for further payment of disability benefit until he resumes employment which is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts and has not less than 13 contributions paid in respect of such employment.
865.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a payment was not made to a widow (details supplied) in County Mayo on the death of her husband; and if her claim for a non-contributory old age pension will now be allowed.
No claim for non-contributory old age pension has been received from the person concerned who will not attain pension age until September 1982. She has, however, been in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension from my Department, at the maximum rate appropriate to a widow with no qualified children, since 14 November 1980. This pension is payable at the same rate as old age non-contributory pension after pension age (66) is reached. Her possible entitlement to a widow's contributory pension has recently been investigated but it was found that her late husband did not have the necessary insurance contributions to qualify her for such pension.
866.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why free telephone rental has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is a qualified applicant.
An application from the person concerned has been approved by my Department and the allowance will apply from the date on which she becomes the registered subscriber on the telephone line in question.
The question of registration as a subscriber is a matter for the applicant to arrange with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. In accordance with standard practice an appropriate form has been issued to assist her in effecting the necessary change.
867.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an accident at work on 11 January 1982.
Normally in such cases payment of disability benefit is allowed pending inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity but, as the claimant had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions to his credit in the 1980-81 governing contribution year, he was not qualified for such payment. The inquiries regarding the accident have now been completed and payment of injury benefit has been made in respect of the period from 12 January 1982 to 10 April 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
868.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when all payments and arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit at the maximum appropriate rate from 25 September 1981 to 3 April 1982, after which date payment was refused following examination by a medical referee of my Department. The cheques issued promptly on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity and payment was made in full for this period. A list of the cheques which issued in November and December 1981 has been forwarded to him and he has been requested to indicate which cheques, if any, were not received by him. On receipt of this information in my Department replacement action will be considered.
869.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider awarding the free electricity allowance to a pensioner (details supplied) in County Wexford.
There is no trace in my Department or in the district ESB office of the receipt of an application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned. To ascertain the pensioner's entitlement to this benefit, an application form was issued to him on 14 April 1982. The completed form should be forwarded in the first instance to the ESB for attention. On receipt of his application in my Department, his case will then be considered and he will be notified of the outcome.
870.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is a qualified applicant.
As indicated in reply to a question about this case on 3 March 1981, payment of disability benefit has been made at that stage for the maximum period of 52 weeks to which the claimant was entitled on the basis of the paid contributions to his credit since his entry into insurance.
Action to secure payment of contributions due in respect of the claimant's employment in 1976 and 1977 is still being pursued but the employer has failed to reply to demands by my Department for payment of outstanding contributions. In the circumstances the case has been referred to the Chief State Solicitor for the initiation of proceedings against the employer for recovery of the amount due. On completion of these proceedings the claim to disability benefit will be reviewed.
871.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make arrangements for unemployment benefit and assistance to be paid in the Reading Room, Cheekpoint, County Waterford to 28 residents of Cheekpoint Village as opposed to the airport location at Passage East, County Waterford.
Recipients of unemployment benefit and assistance residing in Cheekpoint receive their pay vouchers by post each week from Waterford employment exchange for encashment at Cheekpoint post office.
The Deputy's suggestion would involve the setting up of a branch employment office at Cheekpoint at which claimants would sign on and be paid unemployment benefit and assistance which could not be justified having regard to the small number involved. The arrangement whereby the Cheekpoint registrants attend at Passage East Garda Station—a distance of four miles—each Tuesday to have their unemployment forms certified is in line with the arrangements which operate nationally in the case of persons living more than six miles from a local office.
872.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in supplying vouchers to a person (details supplied) in Dublin in view of the fact that his Department gave assurances that there was no delay in this scheme last year and that no delays were envisaged.
I understand from the Eastern Health Board, which administers the national fuel scheme in Dublin, that a cheque for £56 in respect of the balance of weekly fuel allowances up to the end of April 1982 was issued on 16 February but was, regrettably, incorrectly addressed and not received by the person concerned. The cheque has since been recovered and a replacement cheque issued.
873.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason it has not been possible to issue a duplicate cheque to a person (details supplied) in Dublin whose original disability cheque was stolen; and if, in view of banking procedures which would not place any liability on the State, he will direct that a further cheque be issued now.
The disability benefit cheque in question was received by the person concerned and was stolen while in her possession. In such occasions it is the practice not to issue a replacement cheque until the inquiries to establish the identity of the person responsible for the theft have been completed.
In view of the special circumstances of this case a replacement cheque was issued on 26 April 1982.
874.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if and when a free telephone rental allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin.
There is no record in my Department of an application for free telephone rental allowance from the person concerned. From the details supplied, however, she would not seem to satisfy the qualifying conditions of my Department's scheme as she does not appear to be in receipt of a qualifying pension or allowance.
875.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appropriate social welfare payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
According to my Department's records, the person concerned does not fulfil the statutory contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit. Inquiries are presently in train to establish if contributions are due to him in respect of previous employment which may provide him with a title to unemployment benefit.
In the meantime, a claim to unemployment assistance was allowed and payment of all arrears due, less advances of supplementary welfare allowance, has been made to him. Weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £65.00 will continue to be made as they become due pending the clarification of his entitlement to unemployment benefit.
876.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of his Department's general approach to pursuing the recovery of an alleged overpayment to an old age pensioner, now deceased, (details supplied) in Dublin; if he considers it appropriate that in view of the circumstances which arguably gave rise to her death, his Department should continue to pursue the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The overpayment in question occurred due to the failure of the deceased pensioner to disclose her means fully at the original investigation of her claim for old age pension in 1973. Recovery of the sum due amounting to £592.35 is being sought from the assets of the deceased which exceed £15,800.
I am satisfied that the normal procedure for recovery of overpayments of this nature have been observed by the officers of my Department and that a waiving of the debt of £592.35 is not warranted.
877.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any social welfare or health board payment is payable in a case (details supplied).
It is not possible to say from the particulars furnished whether or not the person concerned is entitled to a payment from my Department or from the Eastern Health Board. Entitlement to a payment could only be determined on examination of the full circumstances. I would suggest that the person concerned call to my Department's Information Centre in Ballyfermot where she will be advised in the matter.
878.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement in respect of a rebate of social welfare to a person (details supplied) in Dublin allegedly due since June 1980, and when the rebate will be paid.
It has not been possible from the particulars given to trace a claim to benefit from the person mentioned by the Deputy and efforts to contact her have been unsuccessful. If the PRSI number or other additional particulars can be supplied the matter will be further examined.
879.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in Galway.
It was necessary to withhold payment of unemployment benefit to the person concerned from 11 March 1982 until certain inquiries to clarify his contribution record were completed. These inquiries were finalised recently and his claim has been allowed. Arrangements have been made to resume payment of unemployment benefit to him with effect from 11 March 1982 and all payments due, less advances of supplementary welfare allowance, will be paid this week.
880.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of a retirement pension at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
My Department have no record of receipt of a claim for retirement pension from the person concerned. He would not, however, qualify for this pension as he has less than the required minimum of 156 contributions since his entry into insurance in 1963.
Because of his incapacity his wife was allowed an increase for an adult dependant in respect of him when she was awarded a retirement pension in July 1980. At her request this allowance is paid directly to him by means of a separate pension book and is being paid at the appropriate rate for an adult dependant over age 66 years. He claimed a non-contributory old age pension from my Department in October 1980 but this is not being paid to him as the rate to which he would otherwise be entitled is less than the amount of the adult dependant's allowance which he is getting. The two amounts cannot be paid at the same time.
881.
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 claimed disability benefit from 1 February 1982 and was paid from 4 February 1982, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to the 3 April 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, has been issued.
Cheques issued promptly on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity in my Department and there was no delay in payment. The last three cheques issued on 29 March 1982, 2 April 1982 and 7 April 1982.
882.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay smallholders unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
A deciding officer of my Department has reduced the assessment of means of the person concerned to £10.45 derived from the notional value of his land and from capital with effect from 28 August 1981. The person concerned is accordingly entitled to an increased weekly payment of £31.55 being the maximum rate of £42.00, appropriate to a married landholder with one qualified child and a valuation of less than £10.00, less means of £10.45.
Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of unemployment assistance due to him this week.
883.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the extreme poverty in which a deserted wife (details supplied) in Dublin is living, he will take immediate steps to see that she is paid the deserted wife's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The claim of the person concerned to a deserted wife's allowance was refused in June 1981. However, in the light of additional information on the case which has come to the attention of my Department, her claim has now been allowed with effect from the date it was received, viz. 8 January 1981. There is no record of the receipt of an earlier claim to deserted wife's allowance from her.
An allowance book with orders payable from 29 April 1982 has been sent to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. The arrears due have been paid to her by payable order after adjustment for the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which she received from the Eastern Health Board since January 1981.
884.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in Dublin has been left short a three-day payment in respect of long duration disability benefit; and if he will make immediate arrangements to have this outstanding benefit paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 11 November 1981 and was paid from 14 November 1981, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rates. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 1 May 1982 has been issued. Payment will continue to issue regularly each week while medical evidence will only be required at monthly intervals in future.
The Social Welfare Regulations provide that the combined weekly rate of disability benefit and pay-related benefit may not exceed a person's reckonable earnings in the tax year relevant to his claim. As from 5 April 1982, the date on which the budget increases came into operation, the rate of flat rate benefit was increased but the rate of pay-related benefit was reduced so that the total amount of disability benefit and pay-related benefit in payment (£106.90) would not exceed the claimant's reckonable weekly earnings (£106.90) in 1979-80, the tax year relevant to his claim.
885.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that his Department in reply to a letter from Deputy Jim Mitchell about a person (details supplied) in Dublin said that they had no record of an application from him and that yet this person has a Departmental reference number; if he will now give details of the present position of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The original inquiry from the Deputy related to a non-contributory old age pension and there is no record of an application for such a pension having been received from the person concerned.
The number P.851698 refers to a claim for a contributory retirement pension made by the person in 1980, while the number CP 202200 refers to a claim for contributory old age pension made by him in 1981. He was awarded a pro-rata retirement pension under EEC Regulations from 20 March 1980, amounting to £0.83, increased to £1.05 from 3 April 1980. He declined to accept the award. He was awarded a pro-rata contributory old age pension, again under EEC Regulations, from 20 March 1981 amounting to £1.55, increased to £1.95 from 3 April 1981 and to £2.05 from 2 October 1981. Although he took this pension originally he returned his pension book to the Department in January 1982 indicating that he no longer wished to accept it. The rate of this pension since 2 April 1982 is £2.60.
As the Deputy has indicated that the person concerned is now interested in a non-contributory old age pension a claim form for that pension has been forwarded to him for completion.
886.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was found not to be incapable of work as she was hospitalised in the period immediately after 2 March 1982, the date on which she was found not to be incapable of work.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 October 1981 and was paid from 27 October 1981, fourth day of incapacity. Payment was disallowed from 3 March 1982 following examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the decision to disallow payment and in connection with her appeal arrangements have been made to have her again examined on 30 April 1982 by a different medical referee.
The medical certificate, dated 26 March 1982, submitted by the claimant, indicated that she was in hospital on that date but it did not state the period of hospitalisation. Following inquiries it was established that she had been in hospital for four days for investigation of her complaint and payment has accordingly been allowed for the period 24 March to 28 March. When the report of the medical referee examination becomes available the question of her entitlement to payment for the balance of the period will be considered and she will be notified of the outcome.
887.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Dublin will be entitled to a non-contributory old age pension.
The person concerned made an unsuccessful claim for a non-contributory old age pension in 1975 and there is no record of a repeat claim having been made by him since then.
In the absence of the usual investigation of circumstances it would not be possible to be certain what the person's current entitlement might be. On the basis of the information supplied by the Deputy, however, the person concerned would be well advised to re-apply for pension.
888.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of complaints by a person (details supplied) in Dublin concerning fuel vouchers to which he is entitled but apparently which he has not obtained; if he is further aware that a number of representations have already been made by Deputy Keating to his Department in an effort to try to resolve this problem; and if he will now have this matter immediately investigated as the person involved is now due at least ten vouchers.
I understand from the Eastern Health Board, which administers the national fuel scheme in Dublin, that weekly cheques for £4 each in respect of fuel allowances have issued regularly to the person concerned and that the board is not aware of any difficulty in the matter.
889.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 July 1981 and payment was made from 3 August, fourth day of incapacity, to 18 March 1982. At that state she was requested to attend for examination by a medical referee of my Department but she failed to do so. On receipt of her explanation payment was resumed and a cheque paying her from 19 March 1982 to 8 April 1982 issued on the latter date. Further payments have since been made to 22 April 1982.
890.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 4 November 1980 but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she did not satisfy the statutory condition of being available for employment. Following an oral hearing the disallowance of her claim was confirmed by an appeals officer on 26 March 1981. She continued to sign the unemployed register and her claim was reviewed but was again disallowed on 9 December 1981 on the same grounds as previously. She lodged an appeal against this decision and arrangements are being made to have the appeal heard shortly.
891.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 13 August 1981 but his claim was disallowed by a deciding officer of my Department on the grounds that he was not available for work and that he was not genuinely seeking work. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim but an appeals officer upheld the disqualification.
A further disallowance was imposed by the deciding officer from 9 December 1981 and the person concerned has appealed against the disqualification. An oral hearing of the case has been arranged to take place on 28 April 1982 and his claim for unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
892.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when social welfare benefit which was claimed on the basis of two medical certificates covering the last week of September and the first week of October 1981 will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow.
According to the records of my Department the person concerned did not claim disability benefit during the period mentioned by the Deputy. His employers have also confirmed that he was not absent from work due to illness at that time.
However, he did claim disability benefit from 20 November to 3 December 1981. Under the RSI number quoted by him, he was not qualified for payment as he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1979-80, the contribution year governing his claim. His employers who were contacted in this matter intimated that he had sufficient contributions paid under a different RSI number to qualify for payment. All disability benefit due from 24 November fourth day of incapacity, to 3 December 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, has issued. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as his claim is of two week's duration only.
893.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of disability benefit from 14 May 1981 to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 14 May 1981. His title to benefit depended upon his insurance record in 1979-80, the contribution year governing his claim. As he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in that year he was not entitled to payment.
From 4 January 1982 payment of benefit depends on his insurance record in the 1980-81 contribution year. As he had sufficient weeks of insurable employment in that year he qualified for payment of benefit from 4 January 1982. All disability benefit due to 22 April, date of latest medical evidence received, has issued. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
894.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for unemployment assistance at the married rate to be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned in fact is being paid at the married rate. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £39.10, being the rate of £48.25 payable to a married man with two qualified children with means £9.15 derived from land notionally assessed and benefit from his wife's earnings.
The local office dealing with the claim was recently advised that the wife has ceased to be employed and the case was referred to a Social Welfare officer for investigation of means. The rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed by a deciding officer in the light of the outcome of the Social Welfare officer's investigation.
895.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit as he does not satisfy the statutory contribution conditions of having 26 paid or credited contributions during the relevant governing contribution year 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981.
His claim for unemployment assistance was allowed following the assessment of his means at £0.10 weekly. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of unemployment assistance due to him this week.
896.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
Inquiries were necessary to establish whether the person concerned fulfilled the statuory contribution conditions for unemployment benefit during the relevant contribution year 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981. These inquiries were recently finalised and his claim has been allowed. All arrears of unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit will be paid to him this week.
897.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in South-West Cork; and when payment will be made.
Inquiries were necessary to establish the contribution record before the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit could be determined. The investigations were finalised recently and as he satisfies the statutory contribution conditions his claim has been allowed. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit due this week.
898.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 29 December 1981 in respect of an accident at work on 22 December. Pending the outcome of inquiries regarding the nature and origin of his incapacity he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due from 1 January 1982 to 18 January, after which date he was certified fit to resume work has been made.
On completion of the inquiries regarding the occupational injury a decision will be made on the claim for injury benefit. However, some difficulty is being experienced in obtaining the employer's version of the accident. The delay in paying benefit was due initially to the need for inquiries regarding the occupational injury. In addition, some of the medical certificates received from the claimant were misfiled and payment of disability benefit in respect of the periods covered by these certificates was not made until recently.
899.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the disability benefit application of a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 March 1982 and has been paid, at the maximum appropriate rate, from 12 March, fourth day of incapacity. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 27 April 1982. The delay in payment of benefit was due to the fact that the medical certificates submitted by the claimant were inadvertently misfiled in my Department.
900.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not received a non-contributory old age pension book.
Due to an increase in the means of the person concerned it was decided by the local pension committee on 20 March 1982 that he was not entitled to a non-contributory old age pension from 8 January 1982.
Following an extension of the means limit under the provisions of the recent budget it has been determined by an Appeals Officer that a pension at the rate of £10.45 a week plus an increase of £5.30 for his wife, is payable to the person from 2 April 1982. The appropriate pension order book has been issued.
901.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not received a free telephone rental allowance.
The position is that comprehensive medical evidence is required in respect of the applicant's wife to show that she is permanently incapacitated to such an extent as to require constant care and attention. On receipt of such evidence an early decision will be made in the case and the applicant will be notified of the outcome.
902.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in dealing with the application for an old age pension by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The application for pension made by the person concerned in March 1980 was disallowed because the statutory condition as to means was not satisfied. The claimant did not appeal against the decision.
The Deputy's representations on behalf of the person concerned have been taken as a repeat claim to pension and the matter has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation as a matter of urgency.
903.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 March 1982 and has been paid from 8 March, fourth day of incapacity at the maximum personal rate. Payment issued on receipt of medical evidence and all disability benefit, and pay-related benefit, due has issued to 22 April, date of latest medical evidence received. There was no delay in the payment of benefit.
On the claim form for an increase of benefit in respect of a wife and child dependants the claimant intimated that he is married but he failed to furnish details of his dependants. In the circumstances he is being paid at the personal rate only. A further claim form has been issued to him on which he may claim for dependants.
904.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the correct amount of disability and pay-related benefits will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 March 1982 and was paid from 18 March 1982, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 3 April 1982, after which date he resumed work has been issued.
He was initially paid disability benefit at the rate appropriate to a single man pending the receipt of a claim form giving details of his dependants. On receipt of the claim form in my Department on 13 April 1982 an adjustment cheque paying the appropriate increase due in respect of a wife and eight children was issued.
The social welfare regulations provide that the combined weekly rate of disability benefit and pay-related benefit payable may not exceed a claimant's reckonable earnings in the tax year relevant to his claim. The claimant's rate of earnings in the relevant tax year was £96.08 a week. The rate of disability benefit payable is £88.40 a week with the result that the rate of pay-related benefit is £7.68 a week making a combined total of £96.08 a week.
905.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
A pension order book payable from 23 April 1982 at the maximum married rate of £51.75 has been issued to the person concerned on a provisional basis pending the local pension committee's decision on his claim for old age pension. The arrears due are in course of issue.
906.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
As there is no record of any claim for an allowance or pension having been received in my Department from the person concerned arrangements are being made for a social welfare officer to call on her at an early date. Her husband, who died on 22 March 1982, had been in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension. Payment of his pension in respect of the six weeks following his death has been made to his wife and an application form to enable her to claim a widow's pension has been issued. She has not yet reached the old age pension qualifying age of 66.
907.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 March 1982, but she is not entitled to payment as she had less than the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in the 1980-81 contribution year which governs her claim. She was notified to this effect on 29 March 1982. At the same time she was requested to furnish details of her employment in the 1980-81 contribution year but so far no reply has been received from her.
908.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The reason that the person concerned is not being paid maximum rate of unemployment assistance is that a deciding officer of my Department assessed him with means of £20.00 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parent's home. He is presently in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £5.45 being the maximum rate of £25.45 less £20.00 means.
If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the assessment of means it is open to him to appeal and to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
909.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 March 1982, but she is not entitled to payment as she had less than the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in the 1980-81 contribution year which governs her claim. She was notified to this effect on 29 March 1982. At the same time she was requested to furnish details of her employment in the 1980-81 contribution year but so far no reply has been received from her.
910.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if arrangements will now be made for payment.
The entitlement of the person concerned to pay-related benefit as a supplement to unemployment benefit is determined on the basis of his reckonable earnings during the income tax year April 1980 to April 1981.
As my Department have no record of his earnings during the relevant period the person concerned has been asked to furnish an income tax form P. 60 or a statement from his employer certifying the amount of his earnings but to date he has not done so. When the necessary details are made available to my Department his entitlement to pay-related benefit will be dealt with promptly.
911.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payments in respect of a disability benefit claim for the period 10 November to 15 December 1981 will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 November 1981. When he first claimed he was not entitled to payment as, according to the records of my Department, he had less than the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in 1979-80, the contribution year governing his claim.
Following inquiries it has been established that the claimant had sufficient credited contributions in that year to qualify him for disability benefit. A cheque paying disability benefit for the period 13 November, fourth day of incapacity to 12 December, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, issued on 2 April 1982.
A cheque paying pay-related benefit due from 24 November, thirteenth day of incapacity, to 12 December 1981 issued on 26 April 1982.
912.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an accident at work on 17 February 1982.
Pending inquiries regarding the nature and origin of incapacity, he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis at maximum rate appropriate to a single man, from 22 February 1982, fourth day of incapacity. In addition he was paid pay-related benefit from 4 March 1982, thirteenth day of incapacity.
On completion of the inquiries his claim to injury benefit was allowed from 17 February 1982, date of accident. Payment in respect of his wife and qualified children was allowed at the same time on receipt of particulars of his dependants.
All injury benefit and pay-related benefit due to 26 April 1982, less the amount of disability benefit paid on an interim basis, has been issued.
913.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is being paid at irregular intervals to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 March 1982 and was paid from 4 March, fourth day of incapacity. The benefit cheques were issued promptly on the receipt of the medical certificates in my Department and all payment due to 20 April, date of latest medical certificate received, has been made. There may however have been some irregularity in the delivery of the cheques due to postal difficulties during the period of the claim. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
914.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is understood from the person concerned that she handed in a claim form for posting at a local post office on 26 March 1982 but there is no record of receipt of it in my Department to date. She has, however, now completed a duplicate claim form and sent it to my Department within the last few days. She has been awarded a contributory old age pension at the maximum personal rate with effect from 1 January 1982. A pension order book payable from 2 April 1982 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her. The arrears of pension are being paid to her by means of payable order.
915.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin has been refused unemployment benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer of my Department on the grounds that she was not available for work.
The person concerned was furnished with the decision on 16 December 1981 and advised of her rights to have the case referred to an appeals officer for determination but she did not do so. She has not been in touch with her local office since 23 December 1981. She is however in receipt of a social assistance allowance at the rate of £42.40 per week from my Department.