asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is entitled to (i) be transferred to invalidity benefit (ii) free travel and (iii) two weeks benefit at September and Christmas, 1981; and if he will make a statement on his social welfare and health benefits.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
41.
The person concerned, who has been in receipt of disability benefit continuously since 1977, is qualified for the receipt of an invalidity pension. A form on which to claim the pension has been issued to him and on its return he will be transferred to invalidity pension. The authorisation for free travel will also be issued to him at the same time.
The claimant was not entitled to a double week's payment in December 1981 as the extra week's benefit was not payable to disability benefit recipients. No additional payment was made to any social welfare recipient in September 1981.
As he has been in receipt of disability benefit under the Social Welfare Acts he is not entitled to any cash payment under the Health Acts. As the recipient of an invalidity pension, however, he will automatically qualify for a medical card which entitles him to free treatment under the Health Acts.
50.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying a contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned is not qualified for a contributory widow's pension as the statutory contribution conditions are not satisfied on her husband's Irish insuance. Following inquiries it was established that he had been employed for a number of years in Great Britain. The papers have, therefore, been forwarded to the British Department of Health and Social Security to have entitlement to pension under EEC regulations examined. In the meantime the widow has been awarded a non-contributory pension at the maximum appropriate rate as from 6 November 1981, the Friday following her husband's death.
53.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the non-payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined as soon as the necessary inquiries to enable her means to be assessed by a deciding officer are completed. It is expected that the investigation will be completed this week and the person concerned will be advised immediately on the outcome of her application for unemployment assistance.