asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
529.
The entitlement of the person concerned to pay-related benefit is governed by his reckonable earnings in the contribution year from 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981. Inquiries are being made to establish his earnings in that period and every effort is being made to have the inquiries completed as soon as possible. His entitlement to pay-related benefit will then be determined.
530.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in the rate of unemployment benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The reason for the reduction in the rate of unemployment benefit being paid to the person concerned was that after his 156th day of benefit he did not satisfy the condition of having 280 paid contributions in the seven complete contribution years prior to his cliam. His weekly rate of benefit was therefore reduced from £75 to £65 after the 156the day of benefit.
531.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an increase in his contributory pension will not be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath even though he has disposed of his lands to his children for a nil consideration.
Following an oral hearing of the case it was decided by an appeals officer on 6 September 1982 that the person concerned was entitled to a pension at the reduced rate of £2.35 per week plus living alone allowance from 23 November 1981 and £12.45 per week plus living alone allowance from 2 April 1982. The assessment of his means, consisting of capital (the disposal of the greater part of which has not been accepted for old age pension purposes) and a nominal amount in respect of free lodgings under a deed of transfer, entitles him to pension at these rates only.
532.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
When the social welfare officer called to the person concerned in connection with the claim to old age pension which she made in July 1982, it was explained to her that she could not receive old age pension and deserted wife's allowance simultaneously. She was already in receipt of deserted wife's allowance and could not qualify for old age pension at a higher rate. She, therefore, withdrew her claim to old age pension. She is currently in receipt of a deserted wife's allowance at the reduced weekly rate of £28.45. This is the rate appropriate to the assessment of her means, consisting of an intestacy interest in a holding.
533.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The claim to unemployment benefit made by the person concerned on 7 January 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that she did not satisfy the contribution condition of having 26 paid or credited contributions in the relevant governing contribution year. She made a claim to unemployment assistance on 22 February 1983 and inquiries are at present being made to establish her means. When these inquiries are completed her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined. She has been advised of her right to apply for supplementary welfare allowance while awaiting a decision on her claim.
534.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon from 27 September to 2 December 1982
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 27 September 1982, following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and in connection with her appeal, she was examined on 2 December 1982 by a different medical referee who was of the opinion that she was incapable of work. The original disallowance was, accordingly, revised but due to an oversight payment of benefit was not resumed. The matter has now been rectified and all arrears of disability benefit due to her have been paid.
535.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is not entitled to a free electricity allowance.
The person concerned is not entitled to a free electricity allowance from this Department as he is not in receipt of a qualifying pension or allowance.
It is understood that the Department of Defence are considering his entitlement to an allowance under the free electricity allowance scheme which they operate for veterans of the War of Independence.
536.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a children's allowance was not granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
A supplementary book covering payment of children's allowance in respect of the child in question was issued on 11 January 1983 and a payable order for £70.00 in respect of arrears due was issued on 1 February 1983. Payment of all allowance due has, therefore, been made.
The claimant's current monthly allowance of £91.25 in respect of her seven qualified children will reduce to £73.75 in April 1983 as the child in question reaches age 18 in March 1983.
537.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 on whose behalf Deputy Gay Mitchell has been making representations for some time.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit for a period of six weeks from 30 August 1982 to 9 October 1982 as she failed to attend for an examination by a medical referee. On the expiry of the six weeks' period payment of benefit was restored from 10 October 1982.
Following her attendance for examination by a medical referee on 28 January 1983, when she was found to be incapable of work, the six weeks' disqualification has been waived and payment has issued for that period.
All benefit due to the claimant to date has been issued.
538.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a widow's pension has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when it will be paid.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension with effect from Friday 18 June 1982 at a reduced rate appropriate to a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children on the basis of her means derived from a holding and capital.
Pension order books which cover payment of pension from 31 December 1982 have been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
The arrears of pension due for the period from 18 June 1982 to 30 December 1982 will be issued direct to her shortly by means of a payable order.
Protracted inquiries were necessary to establish the means of the applicant in this case and these were only recently completed.
539.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's allowance for herself and two qualified children at the maximum rate with effect from 23 September 1982. A book with orders payable from 10 March 1983 has been forwarded to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
A payable order in respect of arrears due from 23 September 1982 to 9 March 1983, less deduction of the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which she received in the same period, is being sent direct to her.
540.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Unemployment benefit was authorised in the case of the person concerned at the weekly rate of £27.80 and all arrears due to her were paid on 22 February 1983. Weekly payments of £27.50 will continue as they become due.
541.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned made on 14 January 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that he did not satisfy the statutory contribution condition of having 26 contributions or credits in the 1981-82 contribution year which governed his claim.
His means are at present being investigated in order to determine his entitlement to unemployment assistance. When the inquiries are completed a decision will be given without delay.
542.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in paying social welfare benefit to a person (details supplied) in Dublin.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 31 January 1983, and following inquiries to ascertain his contribution record his claim was allowed at the maximum weekly rate of £81.95.
All arrears due were paid to him last week and further payments will be made as they become due.
Further inquiries are being made about his reckonable earnings and when these are completed his entitlement to pay-related benefit will be determined.
543.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that social welfare benefit is paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as she is a deserving case.
The person concerned had been in receipt of unmarried mother's allowance. She took up full-time employment from 1 April 1982 and her means arising from this employment exceeded the statutory limit for entitlement to the allowance. The allowance was, accordingly, terminated and notification of the decision and of her right to appeal against it was sent to her on 21 February 1983.
544.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be given a decision on his entitlement to full disability and pay-related benefits as he has been waiting for a decision for over six months.
The person concerned has been awarded disability benefit at the maximum weekly rate for a married couple from 18 June 1982, fourth day of incapacity. He is also entitled to pay-related benefit of £4.65 per week from 29 June 1982, thirteenth day of incapacity.
Payment of all arrears of disability benefit (representing the difference between the reduced rate already paid and the full rate now awarded) and pay-related benefit due to 29 January 1983 has issued to him. He was awarded an old age contributory pension from 30 January 1983 on attaining 66 years of age.
545.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay an old age pension, retrospective to July 1982, to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is in receipt of an old age pension at the maximum rate on a provisional basis pending the local pension committee's decision on his claim. The provisional payment of pension was made with effect from November 1982, which is when the pensioner informed the social welfare officer that his daughter, to whom he had transferred his holding in July 1982, had come home from England to reside on the property. The transfer of the holding was not accepted for pension purposes for the period July 1982 to October 1982 and, accordingly, payment of pension was not recommended for this time.
When the local pension committee have given their decision on the claim the pensioner may appeal against it if he is dissatisfied.
546.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if and when disability at the full rate will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 23 November 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 18 January 1983 at the maximum rate for a married couple with two dependent children. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 3 December 1982, thirteenth day of incapacity.
Payment was disallowed from 19 January 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He subsequently submitted a final medical certificate to the effect that he was fit to resume work on 27 January 1983.
His case is being referred to an appeals officer for determination in respect of the period from 19 January 1983 to 26 January 1983.
547.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has been reduced by £10.80 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when the arrears will be paid.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment benefit. He was, however, in receipt of unemployment assistance at the rate of £53.80 a week being the maximum rate of £63.75 less £9.95 means derived from his wife's earnings. His means have now been reassessed as nil with effect from 29 November 1982. Unemployment assistance has, accordingly, been granted at the weekly rate of £63.75 being the maximum rate for a married man of nil means with three children living in a rural area.
All arrears due will be paid to him this week and weekly payments will continue as they become due.
548.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when it will be paid.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 19 July 1982, but following investigation by an outdoor officer of the Department, his application was refused on the grounds that by refusing to furnish particulars of his means he had failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against this decision and following further investigation his means were assessed at £20 a week derived from self-employment.
Unemployment assistance at the rate of £23.95 has been authorised being the appropriate maximum weekly rate of £43.95 in his case less means £20. Arrangements are being made to pay the person concerned this week, including any arrears due to him after taking account of the amount of supplementary welfare allowance received by him in the meantime, which is due to be refunded to the South Eastern Health Board.
549.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay arrears of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit and submitted one medical certificate only indicating that, on 31 December 1982, he was incapable of work. Continuing medical evidence is necessary to establish the duration of incapacity before any payment can be made.
The claimant has been written to and requested to submit medical evidence covering the period of his illness. When this is received benefit due to him will be paid.
550.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the diminution in the rate of the unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath and if he is aware that this person is living in poor circumstances.
The means of the person concerned were reinvestigated in December 1982 and following the reinvestigation they were increased from £10 to £19.25 weekly. His means are derived from the profits from his farm. The amount of unemployment assistance to which he is entitled was accordingly reduced to £6.20 a week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case £25.45 less means £19.25.
He has appealed against the assessment of his means and his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
551.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing a claim for an unmarried mother's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
An application for unmarried mother's allowance was received from the person concerned on 3 February 1983. The allowance was awarded at the maximum rate with effect from 16 December 1982. An allowance order book payable from 10 March 1983 has been forwarded to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
A payable order for arrears due from 16 December 1982 to 9 March 1983 less adjustment in respect of maternity allowance and supplementary welfare allowance paid to her for the same period will be sent direct to her shortly.
Before an allowance can be awarded the means of the applicant must be investigated in order to establish whether the conditions as to means are fulfilled. This was done promptly in this case and there was no undue delay in dealing with the application.
552.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of an unmarried mother's allowance, which is long overdue, will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
A payable order has been sent direct to the person concerned in respect of arrears of unmarried mother's allowance due from 7 October 1982 to 1 December 1982, less adjustment for supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the Southern Health Board for the same period.
553.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when stamps will be credited to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 16 December 1982 but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She ceased to sign as unemployed on 1 February 1983.
554.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite the payment of £315.00 towards the cost of hearing aids to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as it was promised in July 1982.
The person concerned claimed benefit in respect of hearing aids on 19 January 1982.
On 10 February 1982 he was informed that he was eligible for this benefit and was asked to submit medical evidence in support of his claim.
On receipt of this information his claim was approved and on 20 April 1982 he was informed that my Department would pay a contribution of £315.00 towards the cost of the required appliances and that this sum would be paid direct to the supplier.
It is understood that the claimant had paid the full cost of the appliances before the authorisation issued from the Department and is, therefore, due a refund of the Department's portion of the cost.
The supplier concerned has agreed to make this refund and will forward a cheque for the amount to the claimant within the next few days.
555.
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 person concerned has appealed against the disallowance of a claim made by him for unemployment assistance. In connection with the appeal additional inquiries about his means are being made and in connection with these inquiries the person concerned was visited by an outdoor officer of the Department recently. Following this visit further inquiries from a number of sources are necessary. Every effort is being made to complete the investigations so that the appeal can be decided as soon as possible.
556.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit, made on 12 October 1982, was refused on the grounds that he did not have the required minimum of 26 contributions or credits in the contribution year from 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981 which governed his claim. However, he was paid the appropriate maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance £57.95 up to 8 February 1983 when he ceased to sign the unemployed register.
It has now been established that from the beginning of the new benefit year which commenced on 3 January 1983, he is qualified for unemployment benefit at the weekly rate of £64.70 based on his having 31 contributions in the contribution year 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. He is, therefore, entitled to the difference between the rate of unemployment assistance which was paid to him and the rate of unemployment benefit to which he was entitled for the period between 3 January 1983 and 8 February 1983. He is being requested to attend at his local office to collect the amount due to him.
557.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 24 January 1983 and inquiries are being made to determine his entitlement. These inquiries are nearing completion and a decision on his claim will be given shortly.
558.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
Widow's pension under the occupational injuries scheme, including increases for two dependent children, has been awarded to the person concerned with effect from 8 October 1982. Injury benefit had continued to be payable to her for six weeks after her husband's death, up to 7 October 1982.
A pension order book with orders payable from 18 February 1983 has been sent to the nominated post office for collection by her. Arrears of pension less supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Eastern Health Board are being issued.
559.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 8 February 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 27 January 1983.
Pending investigation of the claim, his entitlement to disability benefit on an interim basis was examined. He did not qualify for this benefit because he failed to satisfy the qualifying contribution condition which requires the claimant to have at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the 1981-1982 governing contribution year. Following confirmation of the occupational accident, the claim to injury benefit was awarded from the date of the accident and all benefit due up to 24 February 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued.
560.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is on a three-day week.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit is determined by his contribution record in the 1980-81 contribution year which governs his claim. According to the records of the Department the claimant has no insurance contributions in the governing contribution year. Inquiries are being made regarding the claimant's contribution record and these inquiries are expected to be completed shortly. A decision will then be given on the claim.
561.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details as to why there was a misunderstanding in respect of the amount of disability benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is an old age pensioner; and the total amount of money owed to his Department in overpayments.
The person concerned claimed and was paid occupational injury benefit in respect of an accident at work for the period from 18 November 1981 to 26 April 1982 when he exhausted the duration of 26 weeks during which the benefit is payable.
From 27 April 1982 to 3 September 1982 he was paid disability benefit and pay-related benefit. It was then discovered that he had attained 66 years of age on 16 December 1980 and was not, therefore, entitled to any disability benefit or pay-related benefit after that date. The claimant was informed of the position on 8 September 1982 and was issued with a claim form on which to claim old age contributory pension.
Contributory old age pension has been awarded with effect from 28 August 1981 and the arrears of pension have been offset against the benefit overpaid to him. As a result the net amount overpaid is £479.85 and it is proposed to recover the overpayment by weekly deductions of £3 from 1 April 1983 when his pension book will be due for renewal.
A letter explaining the position in detail is being issued to the person concerned.
562.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be reached on an application for an orphan's pension for persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will take full account of the special circumstances of this case.
There is no record in my Department of the receipt of a claim to orphan's pension in respect of the family concerned. A claim form has been sent to the family for completion. If the Deputy would be good enough to forward the name and address of the guardian, if one of the older members of the family is not acting in that capacity, it would assist the Department in dealing with the case.
563.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of pay-related and unemployment benefits for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as the application was made in January 1983 instead of November 1982.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit on 12 November 1982 and has in the meantime been paid at the rate of £93.85 a week. Having regard to the date on which benefit was claimed the relevant tax year is 1980-81, that is the last complete income tax year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the first day of incapacity for work occurred. The weekly rate of flat-rate benefit in payment exceeds the average weekly reckonable earnings of the person concerned in the relevant tax year and pay-related benefit is not, accordingly, payable.
For the purposes of pay-related benefit the claimant's income in the 1981-82 income tax year could be taken into account only if the incapacity had commenced in the new benefit year which began on 3 January 1983.
564.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefits will be paid weekly to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Payment of benefit to the person concerned was discontinued after 8 January 1983 when she failed to submit medical evidence of incapacity. Following the receipt of medical evidence payment has been restored and arrangements have been made for continuing weekly payments subject to the submission of medical evidence of incapacity at regular intervals. All payments due to date have now been issued.
565.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned has now been paid all disability benefit due to date. An interruption in payment occurred after 8 January 1983 due to the late submission by the claimant of medical certificates.
566.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a pension was decreased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and the result of the appeal which the claimant has sought.
A routine reinvestigation of the means of the person concerned revealed that his means had increased since the original investigation of his claim. Consequently a question of reduction of his pension was referred to the local pension committee for decision. The committee have decided that the person is entitled to a pension at the reduced rate of £2.45 plus £1.30 adult dependant allowance. The assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding and capital, entitles him to pension at this rate. The case is being referred to an appeals officer for determination this week and the pensioner will be informed of the outcome.
567.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a pension was decreased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if the case will be re-examined in the light of the medical evidence.
The person concerned is in receipt of a pension of £26.45 a week plus an increase of £13.30 for his wife. This is the rate appropriate to the assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding, the transfer of which has not been accepted for pension purposes.
An application for an increase, made by the pensioner in August 1982 was disallowed by the local pension committee in November 1982. The committee's decision was upheld by an appeals officer in January 1983.
568.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in giving a decision on appeal for unemployment benefit/assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Longford.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of 80p being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £25.45 less means £24.65 derived from land and capital.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him. Due to an oversight his case was not sent for the further investigation which is necessary before it is submitted to an appeals officer for determination. This has now been done and a decision on his appeal will be given as soon as possible.
569.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in regard to the payment of old age pensions to persons (details supplied) in County Limerick.
A question for reduction of the old age pensions of the persons concerned from £34.45 to £28.45 a week from 28 January 1983 was referred to the local pension committee for decision on 17 February 1983. Pensions at the rate of £28.45 are in payment pending the pension committee's decision.
The question arose following a reinvestigation which revealed that the couple's means have increased since their pensions were awarded in 1975.