asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce free optical and dental benefit for all school going children between the ages of 12 and 16; if so, the time scale he envisages for its implementation; and, if not, if he is aware that the present position is causing undue hardship to children from the poorer sections of the community and their families.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
290.
The following children in the category referred to by the Deputy already have eligibility for free dental and optical services:—
(a) Those requiring treatment or defects noticed at child health examinations for pupils of national schools; (b) Those who are dependants of medical card holders; (c) Those given eligibility under the hardship provision, i.e. those who are dependants of persons who do not have medical cards but who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the health board, would not be in a position to meet the cost of services from their own resources.
It is my intention as soon as practicable and as soon as funds are available to extend eligibility for dental and optical services to other children between the ages of 12 and 16 years. In view of the fact that children in the 12-16 years of age group from the poorer sections of the community already have eligibility for dental and optical services under the provisions outlined above I do not consider that failure to extend eligibility further could be a cause of undue hardship to these children or their families.
291.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 who paid social welfare contributions from the time he commenced employment in 1938 until 1952 and from 1974 until his retirement, is not now eligible for a contributory old-age pension.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned will not attain pension age of 66 years until 22 September 1986. His entitlement to contributory old age pension will be considered in the light of the statutory provisions in operation at that time.
292.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the contribution history of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; whether this person should have been entitled to unemployment benefit for the two months in 1980 when he was unemployed; and if he is now entitled to unemployment benefit.
The person concerned entered into insurance on 13 June 1966 and has paid 488 contributions since the date of his entry up to 5 April 1982.
He was paid unemployment benefit at the reduced rate of £19.75 weekly in respect of his claim from 18 August 1980 to 6 October 1980. An examination of his claim revealed that he should have been paid at the maximum rate of £20.45 weekly and that he is due an adjusting payment of £4.00. Arrangements have been made for the payment of this amount.
The person concerned is not at present claiming unemployment benefit. He would however satisfy the statutory contribution conditions for entitlement to reduce rate unemployment benefit on the basis of his contribution record during the governing period 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981. According to the records of the Department he had 25 paid contributions and seven unemployment benefit credited contributions in that period.
293.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 8 July 1982.
Normally in such cases payment of disability benefit is made pending inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity. This, however, was not possible in this case, as according to the records of my Department, the claimant has less than the required minimum of 26 contributions to his credit in 1980-81 and therefore does not satisfy the contribution conditions for receipt of disability benefit.
On completion of the inquiries regarding the occupational injury 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 9 July to 6 August 1982, after which date he resumed work, was made on 3 November 1982.
294.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit continuously from November 1977 to 24 May 1982, when payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee of the Department who considered her capable of work. She appealed against that decision and in connection with her appeal arrangements have been made to have her examined by a different medical referee on 17 November 1982. On receipt of the report of this examination her disability benefit claim will be reviewed.
295.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The claim of the person concerned to a non-contributory old age pension has been disallowed by the pension committee on the ground that his means, consisting of half the weekly value of holding, exceed the statutory limit of £38.00 a week.
It is open to the claimant to appeal against this decision.
296.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason maternity benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit under the scheme for women in current employment in respect of her confinement expected on 6 December 1981 and was paid benefit from 6 November 1981 to 11 February 1982. This was the full period of her entitlement to maternity benefit.
She claimed disability benefit from 12 February 1982 and was paid to 19 October 1982 when payment ceased in the absence of continuing medical evidence of incapacity. As it has been confirmed from her employers that she has not resumed employment further payment has now been made to 2 November 1982.
An adjusting cheque has also issued in respect of the period 12 February to 19 October 1982 during which the rates of benefit paid were £21.00 a week instead of £22.25 and £26.25 a week instead of £27.80 a week.
297.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the full rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance with means assessed on a notional basis. He applied for a review of his claim and following the recent completion of an investigation his means were factually assessed at £16.50 weekly which was more advantageous to him than the assessment on a notional basis. His means are derived from a holding and from self-employment as a boatbuilder.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £72.80 being the maximum rate payable to him of £89.30 less means £16.50. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of unemployment assistance due to him this week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
298.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when outstanding social welfare payments which are due to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be paid to him in respect of the period 11 to 26 October 1982.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 August 1982 and was paid from 20 August, fourth day of incapacity.
On 15 October 1982 he was examined by a medical referee of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The claim was disallowed from that date, but payment was inadvertently only made up to 11 October. Payment for the period from 12 October to 14 October was made on 2 November 1982. The claimant was certified by his doctor as fit to resume work on 26 October 1982.