asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
540.
The claim of the person concerned for non-contributory old age pension has been investigated by the social welfare officer who has recommended payment of a pension at the maximum rate plus living alone allowance. Pending the decision of the local pension committee, pension order books at the £34.45 maximum rate plus £2.70 living alone allowance, payable from 1 October 1982 have been issued to the claimant's nominated post office. A payable order for arrears covering the period 1 September 1982 to 24 September 1982 is in course of issue.
541.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received unemployment benefit.
The person concerned does not satisfy the statutory contribution conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit. He was, however, in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £21.50, being the maximum rate payable to him; £69.55 less means £48.05 derived from self-employment.
His claim was reviewed recently and a deciding officer has revised his original assessment and assessed him with nil means with effect from 7 April 1982.
Arrangements have been made for the early payment of all arrears of unemployment assistance due to him and further weekly payments at £69.55 will be made to him as they become due.
542.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not receiving an old age pension at the full rate.
The person concerned is in receipt of old age contributory pension at a reduced weekly rate of £38.45. This is the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 31 contributions over the period from 5 January 1953 to 31 December 1972. He would require a yearly average of 48 contributions over that period to qualify for an old age contributory pension at the maximum rate.
He is also in receipt of a pro rata rate British retirement pension.
543.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who had an accident in March 1981 and who has received no social welfare benefits whatsoever.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 4 March 1981 following an accident at work. Before payment could be allowed it was necessary to make inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity. On completion of these inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was due to an occupational injury and a cheque paying all injury benefit due for the statutory period of 26 weeks from the date of the accident was issued on 29 April 1982.
From 1 September 1981 the claim was treated as one for disability benefit. As the claimant had not the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in the governing contribution year 1979-80 he was not entitled to payment of benefit. According to the records of the Department he had 25 contributions in the period. As a result of inquiries, however, it was recently established that the claimant had an additional three contributions which qualified him for benefit from that date.
Payment of all disability benefit due for the period of 52 weeks from 2 September 1981 to 31 August 1982 was made on 7 October 1982.
The claimant is not entitled to payment from 2 September 1982 as he has not sufficient contributions since his entry into insurance to entitle him to payment beyond a period of 52 weeks. According to the records of the Department he has only a total of 49 contributions. In order to requalify for payment of disability benefit he would require a further 13 weeks of insurable employment.
544.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid in full to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to unemplyment benefit on 15 April 1982 and will not requalify until he resumes insurable employment and has contributions for at least 13 weeks paid in respect of him.
He claimed unemployment assistance from 11 May 1982 and he is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £44.95 being the maximum amount payable to him £69.55, less means £24.60 derived from self employment as a fisherman.
He appealed against the assessment of means and in connection with his appeal additional inquiries are being made by a social welfare officer. When the investigations are completed his claim will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
545.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 March 1981 and was paid for 52 weeks to 27 March 1982. He was not entitled to further payment as he had not the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in the contribution year 1980-81 which governed his claim from 29 March 1982. According to the records of the Department he had only 11 contributions in that period.
When the position was explained to the claimant he stated that his illness had commenced in May 1980. As he was not in a position to furnish medical evidence of incapacity from that date it was necessary to have inquiries made locally by an inspector of the Department with a view to establishing the nature and duration of the incapacity. These inquiries were completed only recently and it has been decided on the basis of the inspector's report to award credited contributions for the period May 1980 to March 1981. The additional contributions entitle the claimant to payment of benefit from 29 March 1982.
Payment of all benefit due for the period 29 March to 6 November 1982, less the amount of suplementary welfare allowance advanced, was made on 29 October 1982.
546.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit for the period from 5 July to 3 September 1982 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 July 1982 to 30 August 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was not entitled to payment as, according to the records of the Department, he had not the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in the 1980-81 governing contribution year. As a result of inquiries it has been established that the claimant had additional contributions in the governing contribution year which qualify him for payment.
The arrears of disability benefit due, less the amount of suplementary welfare allowance advanced, were issued to the claimant on 29 October 1982.