asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether unemployment benefit is being paid and, if so, at what rate to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
352.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment benefit as the class of contributions paid by her during the April 1980 to April 1981 relevant contribution period, when she was in permanent and pensionable employment, do not provide cover for unemployment benefit.
She was advised of her right to claim unemployment assistance but to date she has not done so.
353.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is entitled to a non-contributory old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The claim to non-contributory old age pension from the person concerned is under investigation by a social welfare officer who is awaiting details of deeds of transfer from the claimant's solicitors. When his inquiries are completed a report will be forwarded to the local pension committee for decision. If the claimant is not satisfied with the decision he may appeal against it.
354.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 has been unable to secure sufficient information as to her entitlements to maternity benefits following the birth of her child.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit in respect of a confinement expected on 27 January 1982. The claim form submitted by her was only partially completed and a fresh form was issued to her with a request that it be fully completed with particular reference to that part of the form which related to her possible entitlement to benefit under the Maternity (Protection of Employees) Act which provides for payment at a higher rate than under the Social Welfare Acts.
When the form was returned, it transpired that she was not qualified for payment under the Maternity (Protection of Employees) Act as she intimated that she had finished work with her employer prior to her confinement and did not intend to resume the same employment afterwards. Her insurance record for the 1979-1980 and 1980-1981 contribution years was then examined to ascertain whether she was qualified under the Social Welfare Acts. As the information which she supplied upon request indicated that she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions in either of these years, it was necessary to approach her again for her old insurance number. She could not quote this number but a search in the Department's alphabatical index located it. In this way, it was eventually established that she was entitled to maternity benefit on the basis of the contributions to her credit in the 1978-1979 contribution year.
A cheque for £303.60 paying all maternity benefit due on her claim issued on 29 June 1982.
355.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of an appeal against the decision of the deciding officer not to grant adequate unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Recent representations by the Deputy were accepted as an appeal on behalf of the person concerned and a form to enable him to state the grounds of the appeal has been posted to him. As soon as he completes and returns it to his local office his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination.
The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
356.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of an appeal against the decision of the deciding officer not to grant adequate unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned has not lodged an appeal aginst the assessment of his means to date. He has been supplied with an appeal application form. When he completes and returns it to his local office his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. The rate of unemployment assistance currently payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
357.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the percentage of the insured labour force claiming disability benefit at the latest date for which figures are available; the equivalent percentage ten years ago; and the extent to which any increase in the percentage is due to (a) an increased rate of claims or (b) a change in the rules for eligibility for benefit.
The percentage of the insured labour force receiving disability benefit at 18 May 1982 was approximately 8.3 per cent. The equivalent figure for 1972 was approximately 7.4 per cent.
Factors giving rise to the increase in the rate of benefit claims, but which are not quantifiable, are the removal from October 1973 of the requalifying condition which required women on marriage to obtain at least 26 paid contributions after marriage in order to qualify for benefit, the removal from April 1974 of the salary limit for non-manual workers and the introduction of pay-related benefit from April 1974 which greatly enhanced the value of benefits payable in respect of short-term illnesses.
It is relevant to point out that at present many employers pay full wages or salary to their employees during periods of illness on condition that the employees claim disability benefit in respect of such periods and hand over the benefit received from my Department. It is considered that the enhanced value of the benefit payments in recent years as compared with the rates of benefit payable ten years ago has resulted in an increase in the incidence of claims in such cases.