asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in Rosmuck, County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
470.
To qualify for unemployment assistance a person must be the holder of a qualification certificate which is a statement of his means.
The person concerned applied for a qualification certificate on 8 March 1982. His application, however, was refused by a deciding officer on the grounds that he failed to disclose his means.
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 an appeal may be obtained from his local office.
471.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Charleville, County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 to 17 October 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was not entitled to payment on this claim as the duration was for less than four days. He made a further claim from 1 February to 24 February 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. At the time of claiming he was not entitled to payment as he had not the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in the contribution year 1980-81 which governed his claim. Following inquiries it was established that he had in fact sufficient contributions in 1980-81 to qualify him for payment. A cheque paying all arrears of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to him was issued on 18 May 1982.
The Deputy's inquiry would indicate that the cheque may not have been received by the claimant. Consequently a form of indemnity in respect of the cheque has been sent to him and on its return replacement action will be taken.
472.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give consideration to extending free travel facilities to widows, deserted wives, single parents and prisoners' wives who have no income other than social welfare allowances.
The purpose of the free travel scheme is to assist persons, who otherwise would be restricted in their movements by virtue of either age or infirmity, to remain active in the community. It is for this reason that it was decided to make the facility available to persons aged 66 or over as well as to persons who are in receipt of certain payments in respect of invalidity. The classes referred to by the Deputy do not come within these categories and it is not proposed to change the existing arrangements. Such a change would have serious cost implications for my Department which could not be justified in present circumstances.
473.
(Donegal SouthWest) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when it is proposed to pay benefit to a person (details supplied) in Convoy, County Donegal.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 7 August 1978 to 15 March 1982 after which date payment was discontinued following examination by a medical referee of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was not incapable of work.
The claimant was informed on 15 March 1982 of the disallowance of her claim and of her right to appeal if dissatisfied with the decision but so far she has not indicated whether she wishes to appeal. Furthermore, she has not submitted any medical evidence of incapacity since March 1982.
474.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free travel pass will be re-issued to a person (details supplied) in Duncormick, County Wexford.
A duplicate free travel pass has been issued to the person concerned.
475.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when all the arrears of disability benefit will be issued to a person (details supplied) in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 6 March 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 12 March 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. Medical evidence covering the period 2 to 14 March 1981 only was received and payment issued accordingly. He subsequently indicated that he had been ill from 9 February 1981 and he was requested at that stage to furnish an employer's statement showing the inclusive dates of his absence from work but no reply was received from him.
On receipt of the Deputy's inquiry an inspector of the Department visited the claimant's employer and ascertained the duration of his absence from work due to illness. Payment for the period 12 February 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 5 March 1981 has now been issued.
476.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the full rate of disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit continuously from 22 June 1981 at the maximum appropriate rate. All payment due to 3 July 1982 has issued.
As regards pay-related benefit the position is that in accordance with the relevant regulations the combined total of disability benefit and pay-related benefit may not exceed a claimant's average weekly reckonable earnings in the income tax year governing the claim. In this case the claimant's average earnings in the relevant income tax year 1979-80 were £79.04 a week.
The weekly payments received by the claimant from the commencement of his claim were as follows:
|
From |
To |
Disability Benefit |
Pay-Relate Benefit |
Total |
|
25.6.1981 |
3.7.1981 |
£58.85 |
No payment due |
£58.85 |
|
6.7.1981 |
2.10.1981 |
£58.85 |
£20.19 (1st phase) |
£79.04 |
|
5.10.1981 |
22.12.1981 |
£60.65 |
£18.39 |
£79.04 |
|
23.12.1981 |
15.3.1982 |
£60.65 |
£17.72 (2nd phase) |
£78.37 |
|
16.3.1982 |
3.4.1982 |
£60.65 |
£14.76 (3rd phase) |
£75.41 |
|
5.4.1982 |
to date |
£75.00 |
£4.04 |
£79.04 |
As indicated above the amount of pay-related benefit had to be reduced from 5 April 1982 in order to comply with the regulations.
477.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance will be issued to a person (details supplied) in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
There is no record in my Department of receipt of an application for free telephone rental allowance from the person concerned. The appropriate application form has been issued to her for completion. On receipt of the completed form a decision will be given and she will be notified of the outcome.
478.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be issued to a person (details supplied) in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 11 February to 1 March 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. Pending inquiries as to the nature and origin of his incapacity disability benefit was authorised on an interim basis.
Disability benefit was paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 15 February 1982, fourth day of incapacity. As pay-related benefit is not payable for the first twelve days of any claim this benefit only became payable from 25 February 1982, thirteenth day of incapacity. The amount of pay-related benefit due on the claim from 25 February to 1 March 1982 amounting to £15.74 was included in a cheque for £72.21 which was issued to the claimant on 21 May 1982.
On completion of the inquiries regarding the occupational injury the claim will be reviewed and any further benefit due will be paid.
479.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit in April 1982. Inquiries were necessary to establish if the person concerned satisfied the contribution conditions for the receipt of the benefit. The inquiries have not yet been completed but when they are a decision will be given on the claim without delay.
480.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to facilitate a person (details supplied) in Bandon, County Cork, who wishes to be transferred from disability benefit to invalidity pension.
The Social Welfare (Invalidity Pension) Regulations provide that the claimant must be regarded as permanently incapable of work in order to qualify for invalidity pension.
The person concerned was examined on 20 May 1982 by a medical referee of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work. It is proposed to have him referred again for a further examination by a medical referee in November 1982. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
481.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a non-contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in Clonakilty, County Cork.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension, at the maximum rate appropriate to a widow under 66 years with no qualified children, with effect from 4 June 1982. A pension book with orders payable from that date has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. Her late husband was, at the time of death on 16 April 1982, in receipt of an old age non-contributory pension, which included an increase in respect of his wife, and this pension continued to be paid to the widow for six weeks after that date.
482.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying arrears of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Killarney, County Kerry, in respect of his wife and dependent child for the period 30 November 1980 to March 1982.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 29 October 1980 and was paid from 3 November 1980, fourth day of incapacity, in respect of himself, his wife and one child dependant. All benefit due to 30 December 1980 was issued at the time. He was not entitled to pay-related benefit as his earnings in the governing income-tax year 1978-79 were not sufficient to qualify him for such payment.
From January 1981 the claimant submitted medical certificates under a different RSI number and was paid benefit on the basis of this number as a separate claim. Disability benefit was authorised at the maximum rate appropriate to a single man and pay-related benefit was also authorised on the basis of earnings in the 1979-80 income-tax year.
In January 1982 the claimant submitted a claim form for increases in respect of dependants and at that stage the two claims were associated. As the claim from October 1980 was continuous the claimant was not entitled to pay-related benefit from January 1981 as his entitlement was still governed by the amount of earnings in the 1978-79 tax year in which year he had not sufficient earnings to qualify. As the amount of the overpayment by way of pay-related benefit from January 1981 to February 1982 exceeded the arrears of disability benefit due to him in respect of his dependants from 31 December 1980 to 13 March 1982 no adjusting payment is due.
483.
(Limerick East) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a grant towards the provision of a hearing aid has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed medical applicance benefit in April, 1981. The claim was approved and he was informed accordingly on 30 April 1981. He was also requested to arrange for the furnishing of an estimate of the cost of the hearing aid from the nominated supplier. The estimate received however indicated a hearing aid of a type which was not included in the standard price list previously furnished by the supplier. The latter was requested to confirm the appropriate list price but a reply was not received.
The supplier, who has now been contacted by telephone, intimated that he overlooked dealing with the Department's inquiry but he confirmed the list price of the appliance, which was new to the market. In the circumstances payment of £49.50 as a contribution towards the cost of the hearing aid is being issued to the claimant.
484.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the disability benefit application of a person (details supplied) in Kilfenora, County Clare, for 12 weeks in 1981 and the unemployment benefit which he applied for in 1982 will be paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 October 1981 to 9 January 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was paid initially to 17 October 1981 at which stage the certificates submitted by him quoted a different RSI number and inquiries were necessary in order to establish whether he was in fact entitled to payment. The matter has now been resolved and all arrears of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due for the period 19 October 1981 to 2 January 1982 were issued on 29 June 1982. Payment for the period 4 January to 9 January 1982 had already been made.
As regards unemployment benefit the claimant received payment from 12 January to 8 May 1982 when he exhausted his maximum entitlement of 390 days payment. He applied for unemployment assistance from that date and a social welfare officer has been requested to investigate his means. On receipt of the officer's report a decision will be made on the question of his entitlement to a qualification certificate.
485.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the total arrears of unemployment assistance which are due since July 1980 were not paid to a person (details supplied) in Lissycasey, County Clare.
The amount of arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned on 15 June 1982 was £949.46. However, a balance of £464.36 of an overpayment of unemployment assistance was due from him. The net amount of arrears due was, accordingly, £485.10, which was the amount paid.
486.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Ennis, County Clare, is not being paid an old age contributory pension.
The person concerned, who attained age 66 on 13 December 1980, claimed a contributory old age pension on 5 February 1981. His claim was refused as he was already in receipt of retirement pension at the maximum rate appropriate to a married man. The maximum rates of both pensions are the same and under the overlapping benefits regulations a person is precluded from receiving both pensions at the same time. It has been verified from the designated post office that he is cashing his retirement pension orders at present.
A retirement pensioner on attaining age 66 is entitled to free travel and may also qualify for the same fringe benefits, such as free electricity and free television licence, as an old age contributory pensioner. This man was notified to this effect when he was awarded the retirement pension.
487.
(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has received no PRSI payments for the last seven weeks.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 January 1982 and was paid at the rate of £22.25 per week from 7 January 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 20 February 1982. She then claimed maternity benefit in respect of her confinement expected on 2 April 1982 and was paid at the rate of £25.30 from 22 February to 3 April and at £31.65 per week from 5 April to 15 May 1982, when she exhausted her entitlement to maternity allowance which is only payable for 12 weeks. She was not entitled to pay-related benefit on either her disability benefit or maternity benefit claim as her earnings in the relevant 1980-81 contribution year were on average less than £25.00 a week.
There is no record of any claim to benefit subsequent to 15 May 1982.
488.
(Waterford): asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Lisduggan, Waterford, has not received a disability benefit payment for the period 17 to 24 April 1982 inclusive, even though he was informed that a cheque had been issued.
The person concerned had been in receipt of disability benefit from 20 July 1981. His claim was disallowed from 26 April 1982 following an examination by a medical referee of the Department who considered him to be capable of work.
A cheque for disability benefit and pay-related benefit in respect of the period 19 April to 24 April 1982 was issued to the claimant on 17 April 1982. As it appears that he did not receive this cheque a replacement cheque has now been issued to him.
Payment in respect of Saturday 17 April 1982 was included in the cheque paying from 5 April to 17 April which was issued on 3 April 1982.
489.
(Waterford): asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dungarvan, County Waterford, has not received disability benefit for the period from 6 to 10 June 1982, inclusive.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 april 1982 and payment was authorised from 22 April 1982, fourth day of incapacity. Pay-related benefit was authorised from 3 may 1982, 13th day of incapacity.
As the claimant was in hospital during his illness the benefit cheques were sent to him at the hospital at his request. The cheque for the period 7 June to 9 June 1982 was issued to him at the hospital on 17 June 1982. It was subsequently established that the claimant had been discharged before that date. A replacement cheque has now been issued to him at his home address together with a further cheque paying benefit for 10 June 1982.
The claimant was certified fit to resume work on 11 June 1982.
490.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The arrears of deserted wives' allowance due to the person concerned were paid to her by payable order on 29 June 1982.
Before the payment could be made it was necessary to establish the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which she received from the South Eastern Health Board. This amount is, under the legislation, repayable to that authority out of the arrears due.
491.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Clonakilty, County Cork, was not paid unemployment benefit when she claimed over six months ago.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit in January 1982. Her claim was however disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for employment.
The person concerned, who received maternity benefit from 29 December 1981 to 5 April, 1982, made a further claim to unemployment benefit on 14 April 1982. Her claim was allowed and she was advised to call to her local office to collect the payment in respect of the period from 14 to 26 April 1982, when she ceased to sign for benefit. She did not do so and has again been asked to call to the local office to collect payment.
492.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) in Castlebridge, County Wexford.
The application of the person concerned fulfils the requirements laid down by this Department relating to receipt of pension. Information is at present being sought from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs relating to the other conditions as to registration etc., of the telephone account. As soon as this information is verified the allowance will be applied with effect from the date of the application.
493.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if all disability benefit has been paid to a person (details supplied) in Castlebar, County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 March 1982 but only submitted one medical certificate. In the absence of further medical certificates to indicate the duration of the claim no payment of benefit could be made.
The claimant has been requested to furnish medical evidence covering the period of absence from work due to illness. On receipt of this information her claim for disability benefit will be reviewed.
494.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in Dungarvan, County Waterford is entitled to a telephone rental allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The application of the person concerned fulfils the requirements laid down by this Department relating to receipt of pension. Information is at present being sought from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs relating to the other conditions as to registration etc. of the telephone account. As soon as this information is verified the allowance will be applied with effect from the date of the application.
495.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in New Ross, County Wexford.
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 and unemployment assistance on 8 June 1982. Inquiries are at present being made into her means and, when she furnishes the relevant information recently requested from her, a decision on the application will be made without delay.
496.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in relation to an unemployment benefit application from a person (details supplied) in Oranmore, County Galway.
The person concerned is at present receiving unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £47.00. This is the maximum amount appropriate to a married man having two children with weekly means of £10.95 and living in a rural area.
The means of the person concerned are at present being re-investigated. When the investigation is completed a further decision will be given on his entitlement to unemployment assistance.
497.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an electricity grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Athenry, County Galway.
An application for free electricity allowance from the person concerned was approved on 26 March 1982. The ESB were instructed to apply the allowance to her account from April/May 1982 billing period and she was notified accordingly.
498.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he proposes to increase unemployment benefit for a person (details supplied) in Kilchreest, County Galway.
The weekly means assessed in the case of the person concerned were increased from £2.35 to £14.55 from 30 September 1981. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £48.10, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case £62.65 less means £14.55 derived from his holding and capital.
He has appealed against the deciding officer's decision and further inquiries are being made with a view to submitting his case to an appeals officer. When the appeals officer gives his decision his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed without delay.
499.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying increases in children's allowances to a person (details supplied) in Clondalkin, County Dublin; when these increases will be paid; when she will receive her allowance book for July; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A misunderstanding arising out of inquiries in relation to the alleged non-receipt and replacement of an earlier allowance book resulted in delay in the issue of the current renewal book. An allowance book containing orders in respect of the increases due for April, May and June 1982 and orders at the full rate from July 1982 was issued to the claimant on 28 June 1982.
500.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Rathmore, County Kerry, as his entitlement to unemployment benefit expired some time ago.
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 and unemployment assistance on 12 May 1982. Inquiries were necessary to establish his means. These inquiries are now nearing completion and a decision on the application will be given shortly.
501.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Lissycasey, County Clare.
To qualify for unemployment assistance a person must be the holder of a qualification certificate.
The qualification certificate which the person concerned held was revoked by a deciding officer with effect from 24 March 1982 on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit for entitlement to a qualification certificate. Accordingly, he does not qualify for the receipt of unemployment assistance. He is assessed with means derived from the farming of land of which he is the beneficial occupier.
The person concerned appealed against the decision of the deciding officer but the decision was upheld by an appeals officer.
502.
(Limerick-East) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason social welfare benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Raheen, Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 April to 1 May 1982, after which date she was certified fit to resume work. As she had fewer than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in the 1980-81 governing contribution year she is not entitled to payment of benefit on her claim. She was notified to this effect on 27 April 1982.