asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
926.
Following inquiries which were necessary to establish her insurance record and that she satisfied the other conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit, the claim of the person concerned was recently allowed. All arrears of payments due were paid to the person concerned last week and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they fall due.
927.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance in respect of the person concerned from the details supplied by the Deputy. She is not known at her nearest local office.
If the Deputy furnishes my Department with additional details such as the name of the office at which she lodged a claim and the date on which she applied the matter will receive immediate attention.
928.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if all disability benefit payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim have been paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 6 February 1981 and was paid from 10 February 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 8 February 1982. At that stage he had been in receipt of disability benefit for 52 weeks and it was necessary to review his claim to decide if he was entitled to further payment. His claim from 9 February 1982 was governed by the 1980-81 contribution year and as he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions, paid or credited, in that year he was not entitled to further payment. He was informed of the position.
The claimant was originally paid at the rate appropriate to a single man as he had failed to complete and return a claim form which issued to him in February 1981 for particulars of his dependants. He recently returned the claim form claiming an increase in benefit in respect of his wife from the commencement of his claim. Payment of the increase in benefit due for the period 10 February 1981 to 8 February 1982 when his entitlement to benefit ceased, has now been issued.
929.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has not received disability benefit for the period 25 October 1981 to 18 January 1982.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 October 1981 to 16 January 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
At the date of claim he was not entitled to payment as, according to the records of my Department, he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid since his entry into insurance. He was requested on two occasions to furnish a statment from his employer giving details of contributions paid but he failed to furnish the necessary information.
My Department have now contacted the claimant's employer direct and it has been established that he has sufficient paid contributions to qualify him for payment. Arrears of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due on the claim were issued on 3 June 1982.
930.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has received no social welfare since 1 January 1982.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 11 January 1982 following an accident at work. Pending inquiries about the nature and origin of the injury the claim was treated as a disability benefit claim.
At the time of the claim the claimant was not entitled to disability benefit as, according to the records of my Department, he had not the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in the contribution year 1980-81 which governed his claim. Further enquiries revealed that he had sufficient contributions and payment of disability benefit was authorised from 14 January 1982, fourth day of incapacity. A total of 17 cheques paying benefit to 24 May 1982, date of latest medical certificate received, was issued to the claimant in the period 11 February to 26 May 1982. As the Deputy has intimated that no payment was made on the claim a list of the cheques issued has been sent to the claimant so that he can indicate which ones, if any, he did not receive. On return of the list replacement cheques will be issued where necessary.
The claimant's title to pay-related benefit is based on his earnings in the income tax year 1979-80. The earnings for that year were not available when the claim was made but have since been confirmed as £3,227. All pay-related benefit due on the claim up to 24 May 1982 was issued on 3 June 1982.
931.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has received no occupational injury benefit for approximately 12 weeks.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 15 March 1982 to date in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 30 January 1982.
The inquiries regarding the nature and origin of his incapacity have not yet been completed. In the meantime, disability benefit has been awarded as an interim measure pending the outcome of these enquiries. Payment of all disability benefit due, less an amount refunded to the South Eastern Health Board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has been made to 5 June 1982.
When the inquiries regarding the occupational accident have been completed the claimant will be notified of the outcome.
932.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has not received a cheque for £14.01 social welfare benefit even though he received a letter telling him he would receive it.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 12 June 1981 and was paid from that date to 27 June 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
An adjustment cheque for £14.65 which issued to the claimant on 9 December 1981 has been returned to my Department cashed in his name. Arrangements have been made for an inspector from my Department to call on him at an early date to allow him inspect the cashed cheque. On receipt of the inspector's report replacement action will be considered.
933.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has not received any pay-related benefit since 20 January, 1982.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 2 January 1981 and was paid to 2 January 1982. Payment ceased after that date as she had less than the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in 1980-81 the contribution year governing that claim from January 1982.
Inquiries are being made concerning the claimants employment record in the 1980-81 year and as soon as these inquiries are completed her claim for benefit will be reviewed.
934.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford received no social welfare benefit in respect of certain dates (details supplied).
An exhaustive search has been made in the records of the Department but no trace can be found of a claim for disability benefit from the person concerned in 1979. It is understood that during the periods mentioned in the question the person concerned was absent from work owing to illness. The position is that under the regulations payment of benefit cannot be made in respect of a period more than six months before the date a claim is submitted.
935.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Ballinasloe, County Galway.
Following inquiries which were necessary to establish his insurance record, the claim of the person concerned was recently allowed. All arrears of payment due were paid to last week and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they fall due.
936.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 February to 1 April 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was not entitled to payment at the date of his claim as, according to the records of my Department, he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in the contribution year 1980-81 which governed his claim. Following inquiries it was established that he had sufficient contributions in that period to entitle him to payment. Cheques in respect of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due on the claim were issued on 1 June 1982.
937.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry since November 1980.
The application of the person concerned, who was in receipt of unemployment assistance, was disallowed by a deciding officer from 11 April 1980 on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 3 November 1981 but was again disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that he was not available for employment. The claimant's appeal against the decision of the deciding officer was also disallowed after an oral hearing of the case by an appeals officer whose decision is final. As the person concerned continues to sign the unemployed register his claim will be re-examined by a deciding officer.
938.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The application of the person concerned for a qualification certificate, which is a requirement for entitlement to unemployment assistance, was refused by a deciding officer on the grounds that his means from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit in his case viz. £3,078.40. He appealed against this decision and his case is being referred to an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
939.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason arrears of unemployment assistance which has been due since last August have not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned is in receipt of £35.45 a week unemployment assistance, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case £48.55 less means of £13.10 assessed with effect from 26 April 1982, derived from land and a small amount of capital.
The person concerned has appealed against the assessment of £24.10 means during the period between 9 September 1981 and 25 April 1982 and further inquiries are being made to establish his means during this period. When the inquiries have been completed, his case will be referred for decision by an appeals officer.
940.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not qualified for unemployment benefit.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 18 January 1982. Inquiries were however necessary to establish if the claimant was available for employment. Meantime it came to light that the claimant was entitled to claim maternity benefit in which case she would not be entitled to unemployment benefit. Steps are at present being taken to have her claim to maternity benefit processed and to determine the question of her availability for employment from the date on which her entitlement to maternity benefit became exhausted.
941.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not qualify for an invalidity pension.
The person concerned is qualified for an invalidity pension and a form on which to claim the pension has been issued to her. On return of the completed form arrangements will be made for the issue of a pension book to the post office of payment designated by her.
942.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not qualify for unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was paid unemployment assistance from December 1975 to 2 March 1982. Payment was disallowed after that date on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. As he has appealed against the disallowance of unemployment assistance arrangements are being made to submit his case to an appeals officer for decision.
943.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 13 March 1982. However a deciding officer disallowed her claim on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the decision and following an oral hearing of her case an appeals officer whose decision is final confirmed the deciding officer's decision.
944.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 13 April 1982. However his claim was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that the claimant did not satisfy the contribution conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit. An application form for a qualification certificate has been sent to the person concerned for completion. It is necessary to obtain a qualification certificate, which states a person's means, in order to qualify for unemployment assistance.
945.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have arrears of an old age pension which are due in respect of a deceased person paid as soon as possible to her daughter (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Arrears in respect of "over-80" allowance due to the deceased old age pensioner for one week before her death are in course of issue to her daughter. There are no further arrears due in the case.
946.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in Dublin; if, in view of the long-term nature of her illness it will now be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 9 February 1978 to 21 November 1981 after which date payment was discontinued following examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance of benefit and was in connection with her appeal examined by a different medical referee on 22 February 1982 who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. The case was then referred to an appeals officer for determination and he decided that the claimant was not incapable of work in respect of the period from 23 November 1981 to 24 February 1982, the date of the latest medical certificate before him. In the circumstances it was necessary to discontinue payment of benefit after that date.
947.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state, in view of the facts of a case (details supplied) in Dublin, the number of children who will be paid for as part of the widows and orphans pension scheme.
The person concerned is now in receipt of a widow's contributory pension (at maximum rate) which includes increases in respect of five qualified children. An allowance book, for an additional child (born on 24 January 1982) with orders from 2 April 1982 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. The arrears of pension due from 24 January to 1 April 1982 were paid direct to the widow by means of a payable order. One of her qualified children will reach age 18 years on 14 June 1982. Payment of the increase in respect of this child will be made beyond that date on receipt of a school certificate which has been issued to the widow indicating that the child will be continuing to receive full-time education.
948.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for such a long delay.
The person concerned was awarded widow's contributory pension at the maximum appropriate rate with effect from 16 October 1981, the Friday following her husband's death. A pension book containing orders from 27 November 1981 was issued to the designated post office on 13 January 1982 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. It has been confirmed from the post office that the pension book was collected by her.
The arrears of pension due from 16 October to 26 November 1981 have been paid direct to the widow by means of a payable order. The delay in payment of the arrears of pension was due to the need to establish whether the widow was in receipt of any other payment from my Department or from the local community welfare officer before the payment could be made.
949.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
It was decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to a non-contributory old age pension as the assessment of his means, consisting mainly of the estimated letting value of a holding, exceeds the statutory limit of £38 a week.
950.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 3 July 1981 to 31 May 1982. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was advised of his right to appeal against the decision but no reply has been received, to date.
The Deputy's inquiry is being taken as a notice of appeal against the decision to disallow payment and in this connection arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee at an early date. He will be notified of the date and place of examination as soon as final arrangements have been made. When the report of the medical referee is received his claim will be reviewed.
951.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been out of work for the past five weeks and who has sufficient contributions in the last financial year to qualify him for disability benefit.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 31 March 1982. Payment of benefit was not, however, authorised as according to the records of my Department he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1980/81, the contribution year governing his claim. He was requested on two occasions to furnish details of his insurable employment in 1980/81 but so far no reply has been received to those inquiries.
On receipt of the Deputy's inquiry the local social welfare officer visited both the claimant and his employer and established that he was not insurably employed in the 1980/81 contribution year. He is not, therefore, entitled to payment of disability benefit.
952.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the resumption of disability payments to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 23 December 1973 to 29 May 1982. Payment was disallowed from that date following examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was advised of his right to appeal against the decision to disallow payment if he was dissatisfied with that decision. However, he subsequently submitted a final certificate certifying him fit to resume work on 25 May 1982. He has been informed that if he is unemployed and available for work he may claim unemployment benefit or assistance from the local employment office.
953.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension which is owed for some time will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned, who attained age 66 years on 1 March 1982, has been awarded a contributory old age pension with effect from 5 March 1982 at the maximum appropriate rate. A pension order book containing orders valid for payment from 11 June 1982 has been issued to the designated post office and he has been notified accordingly. The arrears due for the period from 5 March 1982 to 10 June 1982, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him in that period, have been sent direct to him by means of a payable order.
954.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the amount of unemployment assistance being paid in a case (details supplied) in Palmerstown, Dublin 20 is correct; the reason the amount was reduced about two months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned had been assessed with weekly means of 41 pence since 1977. Following a review of his means he has been assessed by a deciding officer with weekly means of £25.60 with effect from 20 January 1982. He has appealed against the decision of the deciding officer and inquiries, which are essential to the hearing of the appeal by an appeals officer, are still continuing. The person concerned is at present receiving £24.90 weekly which is the appropriate amount of unemployment assistance payable to a married man with means of £25.60 having one child and living in an non-urban area.
955.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 8 February 1982. However, her claim was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She has appealed against this decision and arrangements have been made to have her case heard by an appeals officer at an oral hearing to be held on 14 June 1982. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
956.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in Cork south-west who applied over three months ago; and whether payment will now be made.
The person concerned applied for a qualification certificate and unemployment assistance on 29 January 1982. The social welfare officer investigating the applicant's means made several calls to interview the applicant before he eventually found him available. All arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned have been paid.
957.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have disability benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 January 1982. As only one medical certificate was received in support of his claim no payment was due as my Department had no information as to the duration of the incapacity. The period of the claimant's absence from work due to illness in January 1982 has now been ascertained from his employer and payment of disability benefit was made for that period, less three waiting days, for which no payment is due.
958.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
It was decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned was not entitled to any pension as his means exceeded the statutory limit of £38. The claimant subsequently indicated that there had been a change in his circumstances and inquiries are being made to establish whether there are any new facts or fresh evidence which may be placed before the appeals officer.
959.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The claim of the person concerned for a non-contributory old age pension has been partially investigated. On completion of the necessary inquiries it will be referred to the local pension committee for decision. If she is dissatisifed with the pension committee's decision she will have the right of appeal against it.
960.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny having regard to his chronic angina.
The regulations regarding entitlement to invalidity pension provide that, apart from satisfying the contribution conditions, the claimant must be permanently incapable of work. A person is regarded as permanently incapable of work if he has been certified as incapable for a continuous period of 12 months and is likely to remain so incapacitated for at least a further year. The person concerned has been incapable of work only since 15 February 1982. He is not, therefore, regarded as permanently incapable of work at present and he is not qualified for transfer to invalidity pension. However, if he continues to be incapable of work until 15 February 1983, his entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed.
961.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned made an unusccessful claim for old age pension in 1978. No repeat claim has been received from him since then. If he considers there has been a material change in his circumstances in the meantime he should reapply for pension and his claim will be reinvestigated.
962.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay the full non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The assessment of the means of the person concerned does not permit payment of old age pension at the maximum rate. His case is currently before the local pension committee with a recommendation that he be paid pension at the appropriate reduced rate from 15 March, the date of the deed of transfer of his holding. It will be open to him to appeal if he is dissatisfied with the decision of the pension committee.
963.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an accident at work on 5 May 1981. All injury benefit due from 6 May 1981 to 1 June 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, has issued. Payment issued promptly on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity during the period of his claim. There is no record of a subsequent claim to disability benefit from this man.
964.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Following the reduction of the means assessed against the person concerned by an appeals officer all arrears of unemployment assistance due to him were paid this week. Weekly payments of £20.95, being maximum rate £43.95 less means £23, will continue to be made to him as they become due.
965.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a new old age pension book has been forwarded to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and, if not, why.
It has been confirmed that the person concerned has received his pension book and that the orders are being cashed by him at Drumlish post office.
966.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when his Department will pay disability benefit which is due to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 January 1982 but she was not entitled to benefit at that time 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 requested to furnish details of her employment record in that year but failed to do so.
Following inquiries by an inspector of my Department it has been ascertained that the claimant was in fact employed during the 1980-81 contribution year but that her employers had failed to pay the contributions due. Special credits have, however, been awarded which have the effect of qualifying her for benefit. Accordingly a cheque for the amount of disability benefit due from 19 January 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 4 June 1982, was issued on 8 June. When details of her earnings in 1980-81, the relevant tax year, are available pay-related benefit, if due, will be paid.
967.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
The person concerned was awarded invalidity pension from 10 December 1981. A pension order book payable from 22 April 1982 was issued to the designated post office of payment for collection by him. A cheque in payment of arrears of invalidity pension due in respect of the period from 10 December 1981 to 21 April 1982, less disability benefit paid, was issued to him on 26 May 1982.
968.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in relation to the application of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim for a free electricity allowance and when it will be sanctioned.
The free electricity allowance is being applied to the account of the person concerned from the December 1981 — January 1982 billing period which was the appropriate commencement period under the scheme in her case.
969.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed and was allowed unemployment benefit from 19 December 1981. Payments at the weekly rate of £106.37 continue to be made as they fall due. The person concerned in error declared himself to be not unemployed for the week ended 25 May 1982. The error has now been corrected and the payment for the week due to him was included with last week's payment.
970.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive a living alone allowance.
There is no record in my Department of the receipt of a claim to a living alone allowance from the person concerned. If the Deputy will be good enough to state the nature of the pension or allowance which she is receiving and to quote the relevant reference number his inquiry will be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
971.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing a free travel voucher to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
No application for free travel has been received in my Department from the person concerned. From the information available, she will not attain the age of 66 years until 1987 and as she is not receiving an allowance or pension which would entitle her to the facility it is regretted that she is not at present qualified for free travel.
972.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned, who was last employed on 23 April 1982, claimed unemployment benefit on 10 May 1982. The claim was, however, disallowed by a deciding officer for six weeks from 23 April 1982 to 3 June on the grounds that the claimant lost his employment due to circumstances within his own control.
It is open to the person concerned to appeal against the decision of the deciding officer if he considers that he has grounds for appealing.
Payment of unemployment benefit to the person concerned has been authorised from 4 June 1982 at the weekly rate of £31.65.
973.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will now confirm that a social assistance allowance will be paid without further delay to a person (details supplied) in Clondalkin, County Dublin, and that arrears up to last January will be paid immediately.
The person concerned has been awarded a social assistance allowance from Thursday, 7 January 1982. An allowance book with orders payable from 3 June 1982 was issued on 1 June 1982 to the designated post office for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. Arrears due from 7 January to 2 June 1982 have been sent direct to her after adjustment for unemployment benefit payments which she received during that period.
974.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give full details of the social insurance contributions made in the past 20 years by a person (details supplied) in Clondalkin, County Dublin.
Details of social insurance contributions recorded in respect of the insured person concerned in the period from 1962 to April 1982 are as follows:
|
Contribution Year |
Employment Contributions |
Credited Contributions |
Total Contributions |
|
1962 |
49 |
Nil |
49 |
|
1963 |
49 |
Nil |
49 |
|
1964 |
42 |
Nil |
42 |
|
1965 |
46 |
Nil |
46 |
|
1966 |
51 |
Nil |
51 |
|
1967 |
52 |
Nil |
52 |
|
1968 |
43 |
4 |
47 |
|
1969 |
40 |
11 |
51 |
|
1970 |
18 |
34 |
52 |
|
1971 |
22 |
29 |
51 |
|
1972 |
13 |
37 |
50 |
|
1973 |
4 |
49 |
53 |
|
1974 |
15 |
37 |
52 |
|
1975 |
11 |
38 |
49 |
|
1976 |
23 |
29 |
52 |
|
1977 |
2 |
50 |
52 |
|
1978/79 |
14 |
52 |
66† |
|
1979/80 |
Nil |
52 |
52 |
|
1980/81 |
26 |
35 |
61* |
|
1981/82 |
31 |
21 |
52 |
|
Totals |
551 |
478 |
1,029 |
†These contributions covered the period from 2 January 1978 to 5 April 1979.
*The contributions in excess of 52 in the 1980-81 contribution year are at present under investigation.
975.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying small farmers unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in Cork south-west; and if he will now arrange for payment.
In order to qualify for unemployment assistance a person must be the holder of a qualification certificate which is a statement of the person's means. The person concerned applied for a qualification certificate on 22 December 1981 but the application was refused on the grounds that he failed to disclose his means. It is open to the person concerned to re-open his application for a qualification certificate if he is prepared to disclose his means.
976.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned, who it is understood is at present unemployed, has not made a formal claim to unemployment benefit. Arrangement have been made for her to do so. When the claim is received it will be examined by a deciding officer who will notify the claimant of his decision.
977.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying social welfare benefit to a person (details supplied) in Cork south-west as he injured his ankle and was out of work as a consequence; and whether payment will now be made.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 19 January 1982 in respect of an accident at work on 13 January 1982. Before payment could be authorised it was necessary to make inquiries regarding the nature and origin of the incapacity. On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was in fact due to an accident at work, payment has now been made from 19 January 1982 to 13 February 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
978.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a deserted wife's allowance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Cork south-west since 29 January last; and if he will now arrange for payment, including arrears.
The person concerned was in receipt of a deserted wife's allowance up to 27 January 1982. Payment was discontinued after that date as she had not made reasonable efforts to obtain maintenance from her husband, who now resides and works in Cork city. In addition, she had declined to disclose information regarding her means. Deserted wife's allowance is a means-tested payment and in order to establish if a woman is qualified to receive the allowance it is necessary to have full details of her income from all sources.
979.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Cork south-west as he had an accident on 22 February last; and when payment will now be made.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 February 1982 but was not entitled to payment at that time as, according to the records of my Department, he had not the required minimum of 26 contribution weeks of insurable employment since his entry into insurance. Following inquiries, it was established that he had additional contributions which had the effect of qualifying him for payment. A cheque in payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 12 April 1982, after which date he resumed work, was issued to him on 4 June 1982.
980.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in Cork south-west; and when payment will now be made.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance in December 1981. Following the necessary inquiries by the social welfare officer, the applicant's means were assessed at £28.85 per week, derived from self-employment. Payment in this case was inadvertently delayed due to the papers being mislaid in the post. However, all arrears due were paid on 15 April, 1982, and the applicant is currently in receipt of £29.10 per week. This is the rate appropriate from 31 March, 1982 to a married man with two childern, residing in a rural area with means of £28.85 per week. The applicant has appealed against the assessment of his means, and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
981.
(Donegal South-West) 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 24 February 1982 but he is not qualified for payment as he had no contributions paid or credited in the contribution year 1980-81 which governed his claim. Furthermore, in the years 1959 to 1971 and 1973 to 1980-81 he had no contributions paid or credited and only one paid contribution in the year 1972.
The Social Welfare (Contributions) Regulations provide that where an insured person has no contributions paid or credited for two or more consecutive years that person cannot qualify for disability benefit or the award of credited contributions until he has a further 26 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid.
982.
(Donegal South-West) 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 17 February 1982 and has been paid from that date to 29 May 1982, the date of the latest medical certificate received. Further payment will issue on receipt of continuing medical evidence of incapacity in my Department.
983.
(Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when PRSI benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 30 April 1982 and was allowed flat-rate benefit at the weekly rate of £52.15. All arrears of flat-rate benefit were paid to him on 28 May 1982. Payment of pay-related benefit as a supplement to unemployment benefit has also been allowed at £38.15 weekly — the appropriate maximum rate to which he is entitled — from 14 May 1982. All arrears of pay-related benefit due will be paid on 11 June. Further weekly payments of £90.30 (£52.15 flat-rate plus £38.15 pay-related benefit) will continue to be made as they fall due.
984.
(Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the disability benefit and PRSI which a person (details supplied) in County Donegal is entitled to receive.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 April 1982 and was paid from 26 April 1982, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 28 May 1982, date of the latest medical evidence received, has been issued. The rate of disability benefit payable in this case is £88.90 a week, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with five qualified children. Pay-related benefit based on earnings in the 1980-81 year, the tax year relevant to the claim, has also been paid at the weekly rate of £42.92 from 6 May 1982, thirteenth day of incapacity.
985.
(Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when occupational injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 14 September 1981. Pending inquiries regarding the nature and origin of the incapacity he was paid disability benefit and pay-related benefit on an interim basis. On completion of the inquiries regarding the occupational accident it was accepted that the incapacity was due to an accident at work and the claim was allowed at the maximum appropriate rate. An adjusting cheque in respect of injury benefit due to 26 October 1981, less the amount of disability benefit already paid, was issued on 11 November 1981. Payment of injury benefit continued to 13 March 1982. As from the latter date entitlement to injury benefit ceased on the expiration of 26 weeks from the date of the accident. Payment of disability benefit and pay-related benefit has continued up to 5 June 1982, the date of the latest medical evidence received.
986.
(Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when outstanding benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned exhausted her entitlement to unemployment benefit on 12 January 1982. In order to requalify for benefit she requires to have had 13 paid contributions at the appropriate Class A rate after her 156th day of benefit. She was engaged in casual employment during the relevant period and inquiries to establish the insurability of this employment for the purpose of unemployment benefit are in train. A decision in the matter is expected shortly and her entitlement to unemployment benefit will then be determined without delay.
987.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason no occupational injury benefit has been paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and when the outstanding money will be paid to the person.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 7 April 1982. Before a decision could be given on his entitlement to injury benefit, it was necessary to make inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity. On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was due to an accident at work and the claim was allowed. Payment of injury benefit for the period from 7 April 1982, date of accident to 22 April 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, less disability benefit already paid as an interim measure, was made on 8 June 1982.