asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for a non-contributory old age pension which was made in October 1981 by a person (details supplied) in Rockchapel, County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
579.
The person concerned claimed old age contributory pension on 20 October 1981 but he had not then reached the prescribed age of 66 years for old age pension. As he had, however, attained age 65 years on 13 May 1981 his claim was accepted as a claim for retirement pension which is payable at that age.
One of the conditions for receipt of retirement pension requires the claimant to have 156 paid contributions since his entry into insurance. As he had only a total of 117 paid contributions under the insurance number quoted by him, it was necessary to make inquiries with a view to ascertaining whether he had further contributions which would qualify him for pension. On completion of these inquiries it was established that he had sufficient additional contributions to qualify him for a partial rate pension at the rate appropriate to an average of 25 contributions to his credit since his entry into insurance.
A pension book containing orders valid for payment from 13 May 1982 issued to the designated post office on 24 June 1982 and he was notified accordingly. The arrears due for the period from 23 July 1981 to 12 May 1982 have been paid direct to him by payable order. Payment has been allowed in this case from a date three months prior to the date of application on 20 October 1981.
580.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a full non-contibutory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in Banteer, County Cork; and, if not, the reason.
It has been decided by the local pension committee that the person concerned is entitled to a maximum rate non-contributory old age pension from 18 January 1982 to 6 April 1982 but is only entitled to a pension at the reduced rate of £32.45 a week from 7 April 1982. This is the appropriate rate payable to a person whose means exceed £6 but do not exceed £8 weekly. Her means consist of capital, increased from 7 April, and a nominal sum in respect of free lodgings under a deed of transfer of a holding.
It is open to the pensioner to appeal against the pension committee's decision.
581.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department will pay occupational injuries benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 1 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 1 April 1982, date of accident, to 26 June 1982, date of the latest medical evidence received, less an amount refunded to the health board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has been made.
582.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Dungarvan, County Waterford; and when it will be paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit for the following periods: (1) 15 April 1982 to 24 April 1982; (2) 28 April 1982 to 4 May 1982; (3) 6 May 1982 to 29 May 1982; (4) 31 May 1982 to 19 June 1982 (date of the latest medical evidence received).
All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due on the claims has been issued to him.
Payment of benefit on these claims was delayed due to the fact that the claimant delayed the submission of medical evidence of incapacity. For instance the first two claims were not received until after he had resumed work.
583.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in Killorglin, County Kerry.
The person concerned applied for a qualification certificate, which is a pre-requisite for the receipt of unemployment assistance, on 26 April 1982.
The necessary inquiries are now nearing completion and a decision on the application will be given shortly.
584.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Tallaght, County Dublin; and if he will expedite the matter having regard to the urgent financial needs of the applicant.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit with effect from 18 February 1982. An allowance book with orders payable from 24 June 1982 has been forwarded to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
The arrears due from 18 February 1982 to 23 June 1982 have been paid direct to her by payable order, after adjustment for disability benefit and supplementary welfare allowance payments which she received during that period.
585.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in relation to an application for unemployment benefit from a person (details supplied) in Currandulla, County Galway.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 29 April 1982. To qualify for unemployment assistance a person must be the holder of a qualification certificate. The person concerned was refused a qualification certificate by a deciding officer on the grounds that his means derived from a holding, self-employment and capital exceeded the statutory limit.
It is open to the person concerned to appeal against the decision of the deciding officer if he is dissatisfied with the decision in his case. A form on which to lodge his appeal may be obtained from his local office.
586.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will restore a pension at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in Currandulla, County Galway.
Following a reinvestigation of the means of the person concerned a question for reduction in his old age pension has been raised and referred to the local pension committee for decision. His present means derived from a holding and from capital no longer entitle him to a pension at the maximum rate and pension at the reduced rate of £32.45 is at present in payment pending the decision of the local pension committee.
If the pensioner is dissatisfied with the pension committee's decision he will have the right of appeal against it.
587.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a living alone allowance will in addition to his old age pension be paid to a person (details supplied) in Gort, County Galway.
A living alone allowance order book payable from 7 May 1982 and a payable order for £81.70 covering all arrears due have been issued to the person concerned.