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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 1983

Vol. 339 No. 9

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

309.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance claim will be approved and payment issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

The claim of the person concerned to a deserted wife's allowance was received on 7 January 1983. Unsuccessful efforts were made by the social welfare officer to contact the claimant with a view to investigating the claim. It transpired however that the claimant is a patient in hospital and it has not for this reason yet been possible to determine her entitlement.

The case is, however, being kept under review and she will be interviewed by the social welfare officer as soon as this is possible. Benefit is not payable as long as the claimant remains in hospital.

310.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have pay-related benefits paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The person concerned was requested to furnish details of his earnings to enable his entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit to be determined but he did not do so. However, the necessary information was obtained directly from his employer and on that basis his entitlement to pay-related benefit at £5.80 weekly was established.

He is no longer claiming unemployment benefit but he has been written to and asked to call into his local office where all the arrears of pay-related benefit due to him will be paid.

311.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a widow's pension at the full rate paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The person concerned was awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at a reduced rate, appropriate to a widow under 66 years with no qualified children, on the basis of her means derived from a holding of land.

Claimant appealed against the decision awarding her the reduced rate but the decision was upheld by an appeals officer. His decision is final and conclusive and can only be reviewed in the light of new evidence or new facts coming to his notice which were not available to him at the time of the appeal or in the event of any relevant change of circumstances.

312.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit, owed since March 1982, will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.

The person concerned was paid occupational injury benefit for 26 weeks from 27 March 1982 to 24 September 1982, the maximum period for which this benefit is payable. The claim was then treated as a claim to disability benefit. He was not entitled to payment of disability benefit, however, from 25 September 1982 to 1 January 1983 as he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1980-81, the contribution year governing his claim for that period. According to the records of the Department he had only 24 contributions in that year.

The claimant qualified for payment of disability benefit from 3 January 1983, the commencement of a new benefit year, based on his 1981-82 insurance record and payment issued to him from that date to 5 January 1983. His claim to disability benefit was disallowed from 6 January 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He has been notified accordingly and advised of his right of appeal if dissatisfied with the decision.

313.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 27 September 1982 to 21 January 1983. He did not qualify for the full rate of benefit as he did not have 48 weeks of insurable employment or credited contributions during the relevant contribution period governing his claim. During that period from 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981, he had 32 weeks of insurable employment and nine credited contributions. He was, accordingly, paid at the rate of £51 a week, which is the rate appropriate to a married man whose total number of weeks of insurable employment and credited contributions in the relevant period amounted to 41.

He is, however, entitled to an increase in flat rate unemployment benefit from 18 December 1982 to 21 January 1983 in respect of his child who was born on 18 December 1982. He is no longer signing as unemployed but he has been written to and asked to call to his local office where all arrears due will be paid to him.

314.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been re-investigated and referred back to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the maximum rate applicable to persons aged 80 years and over has been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 5 November 1982.

The appropriate pension order book and arrears have been issued on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision.

315.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit on a regular basis and arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

The person concerned was paid occupational injuries benefit to 2 August 1982 followed by disability benefit to 1 February 1983. Payment of disability benefit was disallowed from 2 February 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The claimant has been notified accordingly and advised of his right of appeal. If on the other hand he now considers himself capable of work it is open to him to apply for unemployment benefit at his local office.

316.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was not allowed a contributory retirement pension.

The person concerned claimed retirement pension when he attained age 65 years on 6 September 1982. He failed to qualify as he did not satisfy the condition which required him to have contributions paid in respect of not less than 156 weeks of insurable employment since he first entered into insurance. He has since supplied a statement from his employer which shows that he was insurably employed for a total of 59 weeks from 1936 to 1952; under the regulations this is regarded as being equivalent to a total of 89 such weeks. From 1953 to 1982 he was insurably employed for 42 weeks, thus bringing the overall total up to the equivalent of 131 weeks in respect of which contributions were paid. Therefore, while his combined number of paid and credited contributions would give him a yearly average which would otherwise entitle him to retirement pension at the maximum rate, he cannot be awarded the pension because of his failure to satisfy the 156 paid contributions requirement.

Contributory old age pension is payable from age 66, which the person concerned will reach on 6 September 1983, and it is a condition for receipt of this pension also that the claimant must have had not less than 156 weeks of insurable employment since entry into insurance.

As explained in the previous paragraph, the person concerned does not satisfy this minimum requirement. He is currently in receipt of unemployment assistance and he is advised to apply for a non-contributory old age pension about three months before he reaches pension age.

317.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.

The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.

318.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.

The person concerned has been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at the maximum rate appropriate to a window under 66 years of age with five qualified children, with effect from 21 May 1982. A pension book with orders payable from 4 February 1983 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.

The arrears of pension due from 21 May 1982 to 3 February 1983 less the amount she received from the North Western Health Board and the amount of disability benefit paid to her for six weeks after her husband's death will be paid direct to her by payable order shortly.

The original claim in this case was for a widow's contributory pension but after prolonged investigations the full extent of her late husband's insurance record has not as yet been established. In the event of a favourable conclusion to these investigations, resulting in the award of a widow's contributory pension payable at a higher rate, claimant will be paid all accruing arrears.

319.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension at the full rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The person concerned is in receipt of old age pension at the rate of £34.45 a week plus £2.70 living alone allowance. This is the maximum rate of pension payable to a pensioner under 80 years of age who resides alone.

320.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a non-contributory old age pension was not granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

It was decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to a non-contributory old age pension as the assessment of his means, consisting mainly of the estimated letting value of holdings, exceeds the statutory limit of £38 a week.

Following representations from the claimant's solicitor, further inquiries were necessary in this case. When these are completed the case will be referred again to an appeals officer to consider whether a revision of the decision is warranted. The claimant will be informed of the outcome.

321.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.

Arrears of disability benefit due to the person concerned have been issued.

322.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9.

The claim of the person concerned for a non-contributory old age pension has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. No pension has been recommended by the social welfare officer as the assessment of the claimant's means, consisting of the letting value of a holding, the transfer of which has not been accepted for pension purposes, exceeds the statutory limit. If the claimant is dissatisfied with the pension committee's decision she will have the right to appeal against it when it is conveyed to her.

323.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 December 1982 but was not qualified for payment, as, according to the records of my Department, reduced rate PRSI contributions, which are not reckonable for disability benefit, were paid on his behalf in the relevant contribution year governing his claim. His employer has confirmed, however, that the full rate PRSI contributions which give entitlement to all social welfare benefits should have been paid. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due from 30 December 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 24 January 1983, date of latest medical evidence received, has now been issued.

324.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

A claim for disability benefit from 11 January 1983, and a first medical certificate, was received in my Department on 19 January 1983 from the person concerned. No payment is ordinarily due on a first certificate.

On receipt of a second medical certificate, dated 25 January 1983, a cheque for the amount of benefit due from 14 January 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 25 January 1983 was issued on 28 January 1983. The claimant has since been paid disability benefit to 1 February 1983, date of latest medical certificate received.

325.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 29 September 1982 on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. Following an indication that he would disclose all his means his case was again investigated by a social welfare officer following which he was assessed with means of £10.95 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging on his brother's farm. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £14.50 being the maximum rate payable to him £25.45 less means £10.95. He is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue him with an order for encashment at his local post office paying all arrears of unemployment assistance due this week. Further weekly payments will be made to him as they become due.

326.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 as he is due payment of a claim.

The person concerned was paid all arrears of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due on his claim to 8 January 1983, following which he was certified fit to resume work on 4 February 1983.

327.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.

The person concerned is at present receiving unemployment assistance at the rate of £16.75 weekly. This is the maximum rate of £25.45 weekly less a deduction of £8.70 means assessed against him in respect of board and lodging in his father's holding.

328.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.

The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit due to him from 3 January 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 1 February 1983, date of latest medical certificate received.

329.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny reinvestigated; and if all disability benefit and arrears will be paid.

The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 31 May 1982 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was examined on 18 June 1982 by a different medical referee who also considered him capable of work. Following this examination an appeal form was issued to him and he was advised to return the form setting out the grounds for his appeal if he wished his case to be referred to an appeals officer for determination. The claimant did not return the appeal form, neither did he submit any further medical evidence of incapacity for work.

330.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of arrears paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.

The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 9 August 1982 to 22 October 1982 on the grounds that she was not available for work. The disallowance was upheld by an appeals officer following an oral hearing of the case. The claimant subsequently made herself available for work and her unemployment benefit claim was allowed from 23 October 1982. She is a postal applicant and an order for £264.12 representing all arrears due for the period 23 October 1982 to 28 December 1982 issued to her on 23 December 1982 for encashment at her local post office. Further weekly payments of unemployment benefit at £27.80 continue to be made to her as they become due.

331.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow did not receive disability benefit.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 December 1982 but was not qualified for payment initially as she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1980-81, the contribution year governing her claim up to Saturday 1 January 1983. According to the records of the Department, she had only 20 contributions in the 1980-81 contribution year. She has been notified of this position. However, she qualified for payment on her 1981-82 contribution record from 3 January 1983, the commencement of a new benefit year, and all disability benefit due from that date to 15 January 1983, when she was certified fit to resume work, has been issued to her.

332.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be issued in respect of an old age pension appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.

An appeals officer has decided that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension as the assessment of her means, consisting of the estimated weekly letting value of a holding, exceeds the statutory limit. The local pension committee were notified of this decision on 27 January 1983 and requested to convey it to the claimant.

333.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.

The person concerned claimed injury benefit in respect of the period from 11 January 1982 to 12 April 1982 and also from 20 November 1982 to date. Pending investigation of these claims he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis, less the sum of £490 advanced by the Midland Health Board which was deducted and refunded to the board. Following investigation, injury benefit was allowed and adjusting payments totalling £369.94 were made on 7 February 1983 in respect of the periods 11 January 1982 to 12 April 1982 and 20 November 1982 to 1 February 1983. Payments will continue as further medical certificates are received.

334.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when outstanding arrears of benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.

All arrears of disability benefit due from 6 September 1982 to 12 February 1983 have been issued.

335.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of wet-time payments will be issued to a firm (details supplied) in County Westmeath.

It appears from a preliminary examination of the claims for repayment of wet-time benefit submitted by the firm concerned that the statutory conditions for repayment are not fulfilled as the stoppages of work stated to have occurred were not reported to the local office as required and the necessary wet-time contributions had not been paid.

However, inquiries are still continuing and a decision will be given when these are completed.

336.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 16 July 1982 in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 29 June 1982. Pending investigation of the accident, disability benefit was paid on an interim basis from 1 July 1982, fourth day of incapacity.

Following investigation of the accident, the claim was allowed on 4 February 1983, and injury benefit was awarded at the rate of £79.95 a week from 29 June 1982, increased to £80.00 from 7 October 1982. A cheque for £333.83 in adjustment of benefit due less disability benefit already paid is being issued.

Pay-related benefit was not payable in this case as the amount of injury benefit and disability benefit to which the claimant is entitled exceeded his reckonable earnings of £39.16 weekly in the 1980-81 tax year which governs entitlement to pay-related benefit.

337.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is not entitled to unemployment assistance.

The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to disclose his means he failed to show that his means do not exceed the statutory limit.

He appealed against the disallowance and following the completion of further inquiries his case has been 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.

338.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.

The person concerned is an applicant for unemployment benefit whose claim was disallowed from 20 October 1982 on the grounds that she was not available for work. In reply to an inquiry the claimant stated that she was unable to look for work because of family commitments.

She appealed against the decision but following an oral hearing of her case on 30 November 1982 an appeals officer upheld the disallowance of her claim.

If she contends that due to a change in circumstances she is now available for work it is open to her to re-apply for unemployment benefit.

339.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.

The person concerned lodged a claim for unemployment assistance on 13 December 1982 and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.

Inquiries are being made at present and when these are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined.

340.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay dental benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

A claim for dental benefit was received from the person concerned on 12 November 1982. In order to qualify for this benefit a person must satisfy certain statutory contribution conditions, one of which requires him to have not less than 26 employment contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year.

The governing contribution year for all claims received in the 1982 calendar year was 1980-81 (i.e. from 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981). According to the records of my Department the claimant had 17 contributions paid and eight credited contributions in this period.

His claim to dental benefit was therefore rejected and a notification to this effect was issued on 1 December 1982. A further letter, outlining his contribution record, was sent to him on 20 December 1982 in which he was asked to submit details of any other employment he may have had in the relevant year. No reply has been received to date.

341.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The person concerned did not satisfy the statutory conditions for unemployment benefit at the commencement of his claim on 19 October 1982. He was however paid unemployment assistance at the maximum rate payable to him £25.45 weekly.

A new benefit year commenced on 3 January 1983 and it has been established that he satisfies the statutory conditions for payment of unemployment benefit at the maximum rate of £31.65 from that date.

Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of unemployment benefit due to him when he next calls to his local office. Further weekly payments at £31.65 will be made as they become due.

342.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, £33.00 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging on a holding where he resided, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him.

He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been 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.

343.

Mr. O'Keeffe

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 14 September 1982 but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of her case on 19 January 1983. The appeals officer allowed the benefit claim and payment was authorised at £29.30 weekly.

All arrears of unemployment benefit, less advances of supplementary welfare allowance which were paid to her pending the outcome of her case, were paid to her on 3 February 1983.

Further weekly payments of unemployment benefit will be made as they become due.

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