asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given on a social welfare appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
283.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 16 October 1975 to 27 November 1982. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the decision and on 18 January 1982 she was examined by a different medical referee who considered her to be incapable of work from 17 January 1983 due to a more recent incapacity.
In the light of the medical referee's report her claim for disability benefit has been admitted for payment from 17 January 1983. The case is being referred to an appeals officer for determination in respect of the period from 29 November 1982 to 15 January 1983.
284.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the age allowance on the non-contributory old age pension is payable to a woman aged over 80 years whose husband is only in his 70's; and if he will investigate a claim for age allowance for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5.
All old age pensioners who attain the age of 80 years are entitled to an increase by virtue of having reached that age. The person concerned was awarded a non-contributory old age pension of £36.95 a week from 6 August 1982. This rate includes the additional allowance paid to pensioners who are over 80 years, and is being paid by means of two pension books, one for the basic maximum pension of £34.45 and the other for the over-80 allowance of £2.50.
285.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 December 1982 but was not initially qualified for payment on his insurance record. However, following the receipt, on 24 January 1983, of a certified statement from the claimant's employer of his insurable employment in 1980-81, the contribution year governing his claim, entitlement to benefit was established.
Payment of all disability benefit due to 10 January 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, was issued to the claimant on 24 January 1983. He has been requested to supply details of his reckonable earnings for 1980-81 so that his entitlement to pay-related benefit may be determined.
286.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed for six weeks from 12 November 1982 on the grounds that he left his employment without good cause.
However, documentary evidence was recently furnished indicating that his employment terminated by reason of trade recession. The decision in his case was revised and payment has been authorised at £31.65 weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit and £16.20 pay-related benefit.
All arrears due to him will be paid when he next calls to his local office.
287.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 13 November 1982, after which date she resumed employment, on 25 January 1983.
288.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not receive her full pension when she applied for it.
The details supplied by the Deputy mention 10 December 1982. This was the day on which the bonus double payment was given to pensioners. The local postmaster has confirmed that the person concerned received her additional payment on that date.
The pensioner has apparently been confused by the fact that she also received a double payment on 17 December, when she was paid in respect of that date and 24 December, the two relevant pension orders being extracted from her pension book on 17 December. The postmaster has explained to her that all pension due has been paid.
289.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not receiving unemployment assistance.
The person concerned has been in continuous receipt of unemployment assistance since 5 January 1982. His present weekly rate is £8.50 being the maximum weekly rate payable to him £25.45 less means £16.95 derived from land, self-employment and capital. The assessment of his means was upheld by an appeals officer on 11 May 1982.
If the person contends that his means have changed it is open to him to apply for a review of his case. His case would be re-investigated and his entitlement to unemployment assistance would be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
290.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is presently in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £21.55 being the maximum rate payable to him £69.55 less means £48.00 derived from self-employment as a plasterer.
He recently completed an appeal application against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer in his case.
291.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned was disallowed from 3 November 1982 on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work.
If he is dissatisfied with the decision it is open to him to appeal and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
292.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a recent review of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned his means were reduced from £28 weekly to £20 weekly with effect from 15 September 1982. The means are derived from the benefit of his wife's earnings.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £37.95 being the maximum rate payable to him £57.95 less £20 means. All arrears of unemployment assistance due to him were paid this week.
If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
293.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment as a subcontractor and from land rented exceed the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance and his case has been referred to a Social Welfare Officer for additional inquiries. When these are completed his case will be determined by an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.