asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will increase the amount of small farmer's assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers . - Social Welfare Benefits .
619.
: The person concerned is at present receiving unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £12.85 being the appropriate maximum rate in his case, of £21.20 less means £8.35 derived from land.
Arrangements are being made to have his means reinvestigated. When this has been done his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed.
620.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a pension book will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
: The husband of the person concerned is in receipt of an old age contributory pension but, at his request, the adult dependant's allowance which would normally be payable to him is being paid directly to her by means of a separate pension order book. The allowance is being paid at the appropriate weekly rate of £30.05 and a renewal pension book for 1 April 1983 has been issued.
There is no record of receipt of a claim to a pension in her own right from the person concerned.
621.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
: Inquiries were necessary to establish the contribution record of the person concerned before her entitlement to unemployment benefit could be determined.
These were recently completed and payment of flat-rate unemployment benefit at £30.50 per week has been authorised. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of flat-rate unemployment benefit due this week.
Further weekly payments of unemployment benefit will continue to be made to her as they fall due.
Inquiries are still being made to determine her entitlement to pay-related benefit.
622.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
: The pension number supplied by the Deputy refers to a person who has been receiving an old age pension since June 1979. It is assumed, therefore, that the question refers to another person of the same name and address who made an unsuccessful old age pension claim in 1977. The assessment of his means, consisting of a holding and capital, exceeded the then statutory limit. A repeat pension claim received recently from this person is currently under investigation and, when inquiries have been completed, it will be referred to the local pension committee for decision.
623.
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 disability benefit for 52 weeks from 8 March 1982 to 5 March 1983 based on her 1980-81 insurance record. Payment of disability benefit after that date depended on her 1981-82 record. The P60 forwarded by the Deputy has established that she had a full contribution record for 1981-82 and is, therefore, entitled to continued payment.
Disability benefit and pay-related benefit payable for the period from 7 March 1983 to 12 March 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate recieved has accordingly been issued to her. Further payments will be made as medical certificates are received while she remains unfit for work.
624.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: A social welfare officer made several calls to the home of the person concerned to investigate his claim for unemployment assistance before he was available for interview.
All inquiries were recently completed and he was assessed with nil means. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum rate of £25.45 weekly.
Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
625.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at regular weekly intervals and payment has been issued to 26 March 1983.
A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to him and on its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay and a pension book issued.
626.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: All disability benefit and pay-related benefit payable to date to the person concerned has been issued.
627.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a non-contributory old age pension will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The social welfare officer who investigated the old age pension claim of the person concerned recommended payment at the weekly rate of £4.45 plus £2.70 living alone allowance with effect from 25 October 1982. This was the rate of pension appropriate to his assessment of her means, consisting of income from the letting of a holding. Pension books were issued on 1 October 1982 covering payment at this rate on a provisional basis pending the local pension committee's decision on her claim.
The committee, however, awarded her a weekly pension of £24.45 plus £2.70 living alone allowance and the social welfare officer appealed against the committee's decision.
The appeals officer, having regard to all the evidence available including a submission made by the person concerned as to expenses incurred in letting her holding, determined that she is entitled to a weekly pension of £6.45 plus £2.70 living alone allowance from 25 October 1982. An additional pension book covering payment of the extra pension due as a result of that decision was issued to her on 7 December 1982. The increased pension now in payment is accordingly the maximum entitlement having regard to the means assessed in the case.
628.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit payments will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 9 June 1981 to 26 February 1983. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
In connection with his appeal against the disallowance, arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee in mid-April 1983. His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
629.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The person concerned is presently in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £32.35 being the maximum rate payable to a person with one child dependant.
The records of the Department show that he was paid the appropriate rate of unemployment assistance since the death of his wife in October 1980.
If the person concerned has insufficient means to meet his needs and those of his dependant it is open to him to claim supplementary welfare allowance. Application should be made to his local community welfare officer or to his area health board.
630.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned was disallowed as she is not in receipt of one of the specified pensions or allowance which would enable her to be considered for this benefit.
631.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare how PRSI contributions which are made by employers and employees are broken down; the services they provide; and the amount of funds allocated to each service.
: The overall contribution collected under the PRSI contribution system includes contributions to the Social Insurance Fund and the Occupational Injuries Fund which are administered by the Department of Social Welfare, the health contribution which is administered by the Department of Health and the redundancy contribution and youth employment levy which are administered by the Department of Labour. Contributions are payable at present to a ceiling of £9,500 except in the case of the youth employment levy which is payable on all earnings. The breakdown of the contribution as between the various elements involved and the amount of funds allocated to each service in 1982 (to nearest £m) is as follows:—
|
PRSI Contribution |
Amount of funds allocated in 1982 |
|||
|
Employer |
Employee |
Total |
||
|
% |
% |
% |
£m |
|
|
Social Insurance Fund |
11.3 |
5.5 |
16.8 |
655 |
|
Occupational Injuries Fund |
0.3 |
— |
0.3 |
15 |
|
Health Contribution |
— |
1.0 |
1.0 |
59 |
|
Redundancy Fund |
0.01 |
— |
0.01 |
3 |
|
Youth Employment Levy |
— |
1.0 |
1.0 |
38 |
|
Total |
11.61 |
7.5 |
19.11 |
770 |
As far as the Social Insurance Fund and the Occupational Injuries Fund administered by my Department are concerned the income from contributions supplemented by income from investments and in the case of the Social Insurance Fund by a grant from the Exchequer meets the costs of the various payments under the social insurance and occupational injuries schemes.
632.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: All arrears of unemployment assistance less advance of supplementary welfare allowance due for recoupment to his local health authority, were paid to the person concerned during the week which commenced on Monday, 21 February 1983.
Further weekly payments at £21.60 being the maximum rate £25.45 less £3.85 means derived from self-employment as a block-layer are being made as they become due.
633.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The application on 6 December 1982 of the person concerned for a qualification certificate, which is a prerequisite for the receipt of unemployment assistance, was refused on the grounds that his income derived from self-employment as a plasterer exceeded the statutory income limit. He has since ceased to sign the unemployed register.
634.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned signed as unemployed on one day only on 6 December 1982 at the branch employment office, Baltinglass and did not pursue her claim.
If she is presently unemployed she should lodge a claim at her local office and her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined.
635.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The means of the person concerned were assessed as being in excess of the statutory limit and the decision was upheld on appeal. His unemployment assistance claim was accordingly disallowed.
He recently applied for a reinvestigation of his means and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. When the investigations are completed his means will be reviewed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
636.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit and not unemployment benefit. He submitted medical evidence of incapacity for work from 19 February 1983.
Disability benefit has been paid to him from 23 February 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 12 March 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 5 March 1983, thirteenth day of incapacity.
637.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit is governed by his contribution record during the contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. According to the Department's records he had 22 weeks of insurable employment and no credited contributions, and accordingly, as he had less than 26 contributions paid or credited, his claim was disallowed.
He has appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to refer his case to an appeals officer for decision.
638.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review his decision in relation to the payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: The person concerned did not fulfil the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit from 23 June 1982 to 1 January 1983 and his claim had to be disallowed. He was, however, paid unemployment assistance at the maximum rate payable to his £50.50 during the period.
A new benefit year commenced on 3 January 1983 and he qualified for reduced rate unemployment benefit at £56.30 from that date and all benefit due was paid as payments became due.
Inquiries were made to enable his title to pay-related benefit to be determined. These were recently completed and payment of pay-related benefit at £34.74 has been allowed and all arrears due will be paid this week. Further combined payments at £91.04 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit will be made as weekly payments become due.
639.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of a deserted wife's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The claim of the person concerned to deserted wife's allowance-benefit was disallowed. She appealed against the decision and an oral hearing of the case was held on 3 August 1982 at which the claimant and her solicitor attended and gave evidence on her behalf. The appeals officer however upheld the decision disallowing her claim.
The appeals officer's decision is final and can only be revised in the light of new facts or fresh evidence. The person concerned was informed of this.
640.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review his decision in relation to the payment of a widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned is in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension at the maximum rate of £42.60 per week appropriate to a widow under 66 years of age with one qualified child.
She also claimed widow's contributory pension but the claim was refused as the statutory contribution condition which requires a yearly average of at least 24 insurance contributions was not satisfied on her own or her late husband's insurance records.
641.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned has now been paid all disability benefit due for the period from 17 December 1982, the fourth day of incapacity, to 15 January 1983 after which date he was certified as fit to resume work. Pay-related benefit has also been paid in respect of the claim from 17 December 1982, the thirteenth day of incapacity.
A further claim to disability benefit was made by the person concerned for the period from 28 February 1983 to 9 March 1983, after which he was certified fit to resume work, and all benefit due has also been paid.
642.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit and not unemployment benefit.
Disability benefit payable from 10 January 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 10 March 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
The claimant is not entitled to pay-related benefit as he had no reckonable earnings in 1981-82, the relevant income tax year governing his entitlement to this benefit.
643.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review his decision in relation to the payment of a widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow with a view to an increase.
: The person concerned had been in receipt of the maximum rate of widow's non-contributory pension since the death of her husband in 1975.
Following a review of her circumstances, however, in August 1982 her pension was reduced to £13.80 per week from 24 September 1982 on the basis of her means derived from a farm and a Department of Defence pension. She appealed against the decision and as a result her pension was increased to £15.80 per week from the same date.
In view of the Deputy's request a further review of her means will now be carried out and when the local officer's report is received her claim will be reexamined without delay.
644.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned was paid widow's contributory pension from 1 July 1981 to 24 June 1982. The pension was terminated from 25 June 1982, however, when it was learned that her marriage had been dissolved by divorce in 1972 and she cannot therefore be legally regarded as a widow.
Claimant appealed against the decision but the decision was upheld by an appeals officer.
645.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review his decision in regard to the over-payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: It has not been possible from the information supplied to trace a disability benefit claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number or the social insurance number of the claimant can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied.
646.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the rate of unemployment benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow with a view to an increase.
: The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment benefit at the maximum single rate of £31.65 weekly. However his entitlement to pay-related benefit could not be determined until further inquiries had been completed to ascertain his earnings during the relevant income tax period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982.
These inquiries were recently completed and his claim has been allowed at £23.87 weekly.
Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further payments at the combined rate of £55.52 will continue to be made as they become due.
647.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a pension book has not yet been sent to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The person concerned was awarded a widow's contributory pension with effect from 11 February 1983 and a pension book was issued on 21 February 1983 to the designated post office for collection by her. There was apparently some delay in the post but it has been confirmed that the book is now in her possession.
648.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a pension is being reduced by such a large amount in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The claim of the person concerned to widow's non-contributory pension was reviewed to take account of an increase in her health board pension since the previous assessment of her means had been carried out. This review resulted in a reduction in her pension from £17.80 per week to £15.80 per week with effect from Friday, 14 January 1983.
Her present pension of £15.80 per week is the rate appropriate to a woman under 66 years of age with no dependants and having weekly means over £22 and up to £24.
649.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
: The person concerned was claiming disability benefit in the period immediately preceding his claim for unemployment benefit. Before his entitlement to unemployment benefit could be determined it was necessary to ascertain whether the person was capable of work.
His unemployment benefit claim was recently authorised at £59.65 weekly together with pay-related benefit at £25.06 weekly and all arrears due to him have been paid.
Weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
650.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if all benefits will be updated and paid to him.
: The person concerned was allowed occupational injury benefit from 1 September 1982 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on that date. He was also allowed pay-related benefit from 16 September 1982, the appropriate date. He was paid benefit regularly in respect of medical certificates received for the period to 23 February 1983.
Due to an administrative error there was a delay in payment of injury benefit for the period from 24 February to 1 March and of disability benefit subsequently to 15 March 1983.
All benefit due in respect of the period from 24 February to 15 March 1983 has now been paid.
651.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if all outstanding social welfare benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned has now been paid all occupational injury benefit due to him in respect of the period from 21 September 1982 to 22 December 1982. Payment ceased from that date as he had been found capable of work following examination by a medical referee of the Department. He had been paid disability benefit on an interim basis while the claim for injury benefit was being investigated. He was also paid pay-related benefit for the period from 6 October 1982, the thirteenth day of claim, to 22 December 1982.
He again claimed injury benefit for the periods from 7 February 1983 to 12 February 1983 and from 26 February 1983 to 5 March 1983. Disability benefit has been paid on interim basis in respect of these claims pending completion of investigation of the injury benefit claims. When the investigation is completed a decision on the claims will be given and any arrears arising as a consequence will be paid.
He has also claimed unemployment benefit from 7 March 1983. He satisfies the conditions for receipt of this benefit and payment has been approved.
652.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a non-contributory old age pension was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Cork in 1977; and if payment will now be resumed.
: It was decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned was not entitled to any old age pension from 8 July 1977. The assessment of his means, consisting mainly of half his wife's earnings, exceeded the then statutory limit. However, he has now made a repeat claim for pension and the claim has been referred to the social welfare officer for investigation. On completion of inquiries it will be referred to the local pension committee for decision. If a pension is payable it will be paid on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision.
653.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow has not been paid unemployment benefit at the full rate, as she is married to a man of 85 years of age who is not in receipt of benefit or pension of any kind.
: The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment benefit at the rate appropriate to a married woman, namely, £27.80. She has also been awarded pay-related benefit of £41.94 a week and arrears of this benefit will be paid this week.
Under the legislation unemployment benefit at the full rate with an increase for a husband is payable to a married woman whose husband is incapable of self-support and is wholly or mainly maintained by his wife. If this is the position in the case of the person concerned and her husband is a dependant of hers she should apply for an increase of benefit at her local office.
654.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit or assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
684.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has been signing since 14 December, 1982.
: It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 654 and 684 together.
Inquiries were necessary to establish the contribution record of the person concerned before his entitlement to unemployment benefit could be determined. In the meantime, a claim to unemployment assistance was accepted from him and inquiries were being made about his means.
However, his contribution record was recently clarified and his claim for unemployment benefit has been allowed at the reduced rate of £28.30 weekly.
Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week and weekly payments will follow as they become due.
655.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made as this case has been outstanding for some time.
: According to the records of the Department the person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit. Inquiries are being made, however, regarding his employment during the relevant contribution year. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined.
In the meantime an application for unemployment assistance has been accepted from him and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When these are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be decided.
656.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay in making payment.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 May 1982 to 13 November 1982 and from 25 November 1982 to date. He is not qualified for payment of benefit as according to the records of the Department he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1980-81 and 1981-82, the contribution years governing his claims.
He was requested on three occasions to furnish details of any insurable employment which he may have had in the relevant contribution years but he has failed to do so to date.
A further reminder was issued to him on 16 March 1983. When he submits the necessary information the question of PRSI contributions for the periods of employment will be investigated and his claim for benefit will be reviewed on the result of the investigations.
657.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
: According to the Department's records the person concerned has no recent claim for disability benefit.
He did however, claim unemployment benefit from 31 December 1982 to 4 February 1983 and all flat-rate unemployment benefit due to him was paid. It is presumed that the Deputy's question is intended to refer to the payment of pay-related benefit with his flat-rate unemployment benefit.
His entitlement to pay-related benefit at £44.97 weekly was only recently determined as inquiries were necessary to establish his reckonable weekly earnings during the relevant income tax period 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981.
658.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork even though she has no source of income since she returned her English pension book to his Department; and when the pension will be paid.
: The widow's pension book of the person concerned has been returned to her agent, having been sent to the Department in error by the local post office. The pension orders in the book are payable from 28 January 1983. The last order cashed was for Friday 24 December 1982 and a single payable order covering the four weeks in between has been sent direct to the claimant's agent.
659.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the explanation furnished for the delay in claiming benefit.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 13 November 1982 to 4 December 1982. He was certified fit to resume work on 6 December 1982 but a claim for benefit was not received until 10 January 1983.
The regulations provide that a person who, without good cause, fails to give notice of incapacity or to submit evidence within seven days of the commencement of incapacity is disqualified from receiving disability benefit in respect of any period more than seven days before the date on which such notice or medical evidence is received. The claimant in this case resumed work on 6 December 1982 and gave no good reason for his failure to submit medical evidence at the appropriate time. The claim was accordingly disallowed.
660.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in respect of an application for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The person concerned is presently in receipt of unemployment assistance at £46.45 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £57.95 less means £11.50 derived from self-employment.
He applied for reinvestigation of his means but his application was inadvertently misfiled. His case has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries and when they are completed his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
661.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an investigation will be completed in respect of an application for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The person concerned was assessed with means of £22.00 derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents' home. He was accordingly paid unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £3.45 being the maximum rate payable to him £25.45 less £22.00 means.
His case was reviewed and the means assessed against him were reduced to £20.00 with effect from 19 May 1982. The rate of unemployment assistance payable was increased to £5.45 weekly.
The notification was posted to his local office but it was never received at the employment exchange, Newcastlewest, having gone astray in the post. The matter has now been rectified and arrangements have been made to pay the outstanding arrears of unemployment assistance due this week.
Further payments at £5.45 weekly will be made as they become due.
662.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The unemployment benefit claim for the person concerned was disallowed for 6 weeks from 4 February 1983 on the grounds that he lost his employment through circumstances within his own control.
He has appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made for a hearing of his case at the earliest opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
The period of disallowance expired after 17 March 1983 and his claim has been admitted for payment at £59.65 weekly from 18 March 1983. Payment will be made this week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
663.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 7 September 1982. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed against the disallowance but her appeal was disallowed by an appeals officer following an oral hearing of her case at which she attended.
The case was reviewed following further representations from the person concerned and it was accepted that she was available for employment from 2 March 1983. Unemployment benefit has been authorised from that date at the appropriate weekly rate of £27.80 and all arrears due will be paid to her this week. Further payments will continue to be made as they become due.
664.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned is presently in receipt of unemployment benefit at the weekly rate of £94.45, the maximum rate payable to a married man with six qualified children.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the total unemployment benefit payable, pay-related benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of a claimant's average net weekly earnings.
The 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned is £83.78 and as the amount of weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit payable to him exceeds this amount, pay-related benefit is not payable in his case.
665.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: According to records at the Department the person concerned was last in touch with his local office on 29 March 1977.
If he is presently unemployed he should lodge a claim at his local office and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined.
666.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review his decision regarding an old age pension for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The old age pension claim of the person concerned, which had been disallowed by the local pension committee, was considered by an appeals officer on 23 February 1983. He deferred his decision pending receipt of a further report from the social welfare officer. On receipt of this report the case will again be referred to the appeals officer for decision.
667.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay social welfare benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who was in hospital for four weeks in April 1981 for which he received no benefit.
: It has not been possible from the information supplied to trace a disability benefit claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number or the social insurance number of the claimant can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied.
668.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will increase the unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as he has no means and is at present being paid £20 per week.
: The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since April 1978 and is at present receiving £20.45 weekly. This is the maximum rate payable in his case of £25.45 less means of £5.00 assessed against him. The means are derived from the value of board and lodging on his brother's holding.
669.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is living on twenty acres of land.
: It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim for unemployment assistance in respect of the person named in the details supplied by the Deputy.
If the person concerned has not yet lodged a claim he should do so at his local office and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined.
670.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider his decision regarding unemployment benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The person concerned is receiving the appropriate maximum amount of flat-rate unemployment benefit in his case of £75.00 weekly.
The entitlement to pay-related benefit of a wholly unemployed person in receipt of flat-rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the sum of weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit together with any income tax refund paid may not exceed 85 per cent of a claimant's previous net weekly earnings.
The 85 per cent limit of the person concerned, computed in accordance with the regulations, is £73.56. As the flat-rate unemployment benefit he is receiving exceeds this amount pay-related benefit is not payable in his case.
671.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will as a matter of urgency ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is an applicant for unemployment assistance will be paid immediately and retrospective to September 1982.
: An application for unemployment assistance from the person concerned in March 1982 was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from self-employment, exceeded the statutory limit.
He reapplied for unemployment assistance in November last and following the completion of extensive inquiries his claim was again disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit.
It is open to him to appeal against the disallowance and a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
672.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that a free electricity allowance is granted to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The person concerned has applied for an old age pension and his claim is at present being investigated. When the claim is decided his entitlement to a free electricity allowance will be considered and he will be notified of the outcome.
673.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if pay-related benefit at the full rate will be paid to a fully qualified person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The entitlement of an applicant to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the sum of flat-rate unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of the person's average net weekly earnings.
The 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned amounts to £57.16. However, the weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit, £59.65, exceeds this amount and he is accordingly not entitled to pay-related benefit.
674.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit has been authorised at the weekly rate of £55.56 (£31.65 flat-rate benefit plus £23.91 pay-related benefit). All arrears due have been paid to her and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
675.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefits for the period 3 to 10 January 1983 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 3 January 1983, submitting one medical certificate only indicating that on that date she was unfit for work. Continuing medical evidence is, however, necessary to establish the duration of incapacity before payment can be made.
If the claimant's incapacity for work continued to 10 January 1983, she should submit evidence to that effect by way of a note from her doctor indicating the duration of her incapacity or a statement from her employer showing the inclusive dates of her absence from work. On receipt of this evidence the claim will be reviewed.
676.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the request by his Department to a person (details supplied) in County Longford to return her prescribed relative allowance pension book as the conditions for the receipt of this allowance remain exactly the same as heretofore.
: The prescribed relative allowance book of the person concerned was recalled in error. The matter has since been rectified and the pensioner has been advised to retain her book.
677.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare how an application for invalidity pension which was submitted to his Department in December 1982 by a person (details supplied) in County Cork was mislaid; if he will ensure that the further application is given priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
: The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension from 6 January 1983, that is the Thursday following date of application on 1 January 1983. A pension book payable from 14 April 1983 will be issued and arrears in respect of the period from 6 January 1983 to 13 April 1983, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period will be paid by payable order.
678.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been waiting nine weeks for unemployment benefit.
: Inquiries were necessary to establish that the person concerned was genuinely seeking work. The inquiries were recently completed and her unemployment benefit claim has been allowed at the maximum rate payable in her case of £27.80 weekly. All arrears due were paid last week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
679.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as she forwarded a doctor's letter stating that she was ill and could not attend a medical examination on 31 December 1982 but had attended for a previous medical examination in November 1982 when it emerged that the medical referee was ill on that occasion.
: The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit for the statutory period of six weeks from 11 January 1983 to 21 February 1983 as she failed to attend for examination by a medical referee on 31 December 1982. There is no record of the receipt in my Department of the doctor's letter referred to by the Deputy but in the event of such letter being received the disallowance will be reviewed. Payment of benefit was restored from 22 January 1983 and payments have been made in the meantime on receipt of medical certificates. Another date is being arranged for a medical referee examination and the claim will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
680.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in making a decision on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who wants to be changed from disability benefit to an invalidity pension.
: The regulations regarding entitlement to invalidity pension provide that, apart from satisfying the contribution conditions, the claimant must have been in receipt of benefit for at least one year and be regarded as permanently incapable of work.
While the person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 19 October 1981 he was not regarded as permanently incapable of work on 9 November 1981 following examination by a medical referee of my Department. It is, however, proposed to have him again examined by a medical referee on 30 March 1983 and on receipt of the report of this examination his case will be reviewed.
681.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since 1975 and is at present receiving £25.50 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £50.50 less £25.00 means derived from land. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries. When these are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of that officer's decision.
682.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying a non-contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned has been awarded a non-contributory widow's pension at the maximum rate appropriate to a widow under 66 years with no qualified children, with effect from 1 October 1982. A pension order book payable from 14 January 1983 was sent to the designated post office for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. The arrears due for the period from 1 October 1982 to 13 January 1983 will be paid to her shortly by means of a payable order. The widow in this case was the owner of a farm which she has made over to her son. It was necessary before a decision could be given on her claim to inspect the deed of transfer and this has only recently been received.
683.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying a contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned sent her widow's pension books to the Department in September 1982 and requested that her niece be appointed agent for the time she would be in Germany. She was notified that this was not possible but that payment could be made to herself. The books were held pending further instructions from her. Arrangements have now been made for payment of the outstanding amounts to the person concerned in Germany and future payments will be made direct to her there.
685.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the payment of unemployment assistance was stopped in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if this decision will be reversed and the payment of benefit resumed.
: Payment of unemployment assistance to the person concerned was not stopped. However, following a review of the case his means were assessed at £18 weekly derived from a pension payable to him by his former employer and he is accordingly in receipt of weekly payment of £14.35 being the maximum amount payable to him £32.35 less £18 means.
He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements have been made to have his case determined by an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision by the appeals officer.
686.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit in respect of incapacity for work for three days, excluding Sunday, from 4 February to 7 February 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. Disability benefit is not payable for the first three days in any period of incapacity for work unless the claimant has had another claim in respect of incapacity for work or unemployment not more than three days previously. The claimant did not have such a claim and was not, therefore, entitled to payment of benefit. He was informed of this on 14 February 1983.
687.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit which was applied for in February 1983 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 21 February 1983. Payment has been authorised at the appropriate maximum flat-rate in his case of £27.80 weekly. All arrears due have been paid to him and weekly payments continue to be made as they become due.
688.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a prescribed relative's allowance which was applied for in December 1982, will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: The claim of the person concerned for a prescribed relative's allowance has been refused on the basis that two of the statutory conditions governing entitlement to the allowance, which require that the prescribed relative must be residing with the pensioner and must not be a married person who is wholly or mainly maintained by her spouse, are not fulfilled in this case. The claimant has been notified of the decision and of her right, if dissatisfied, to appeal against it.
689.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when social welfare benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: Inquiries were necessary to establish that the person concerned was available for work. These have now been completed and her unemployment benefit claim has been allowed and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to her this week. Further payments at £53.87 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £40.55 and pay-related benefit £13.32 will be made as weekly payments become due.
690.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an inspector will visit a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to examine his application for a non-contributory pension.
: There is no trace of the application for non-contributory old age pension of the person concerned having been received in the Department. In the circumstances he has been advised to forward a further application form. On receipt of the completed form arrangements will be made to have a social welfare officer call on him at an early date.
691.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is due payment since 3 January 1983.
: All disability benefit and pay-related benefit payable to 14 March 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received, has been issued to the person concerned.
692.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of farmers receiving small farmers' unemployment assistance in each county through (a) factual and (b) notional assessments.
: Details of the approximate number of smallholders in each county receiving unemployment assistance based on the factual or notional assessment of their means are as follows:
|
County |
Number factually assessed |
Number notionally assessed |
|
Cavan |
245 |
585 |
|
Clare |
390 |
940 |
|
Cork |
370 |
890 |
|
Donegal |
1,040 |
1,720 |
|
Galway |
840 |
2,245 |
|
Kerry |
960 |
2,350 |
|
Leitrim |
240 |
580 |
|
Limerick |
125 |
280 |
|
Longford |
170 |
400 |
|
Mayo |
1,110 |
2,725 |
|
Monaghan |
125 |
330 |
|
Roscommon |
425 |
1,020 |
|
Sligo |
160 |
395 |
693.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the decreased amount of unemployment assistance/benefit currently being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Longford.
: Following the application from the person concerned for a review of his weekly means of £7.50 he has been assessed with weekly means of £28.85 derived from self-employment as a handyman. His weekly rate of unemployment assistance was accordingly reduced with effect from 23 February 1983 from £36.45 to £15.10, being the appropriate maximum rate, in his case, of £43.95 less means £28.85. He has appealed against the revised amount of means assessed against him. His further entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
694.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will restore an old age pension in full to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, who is a widow.
: Due to an increase in the assessment of her means, consisting of a British retirement pension, a question for reduction of the old age pension of the person concerned from £14.45 plus over 80 and living alone allowances from 3 March 1983 has been referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the rate of £12.45 a week plus £2.50 over 80 allowance and £2.70 living alone allowance is in payment pending the pension committee's decision.
695.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: The person concerned has been paid disability benefit from 21 October 1981 to 26 March 1983. However, his claim was due for review on 3 January 1983 to establish if he had a continuing title to benefit from that date. Unfortunately his case was not reviewed until 14 February 1983 when it was discovered that he had a total of only 37 credited contributions in 1981-82, the contribution year governing his claim from 3 January 1983. Accordingly he was entitled to disability benefit at the reduced rate of £49.80 for a married couple from 3 January to 14 February 1983 but was paid at the maximum rate of £52.15 for this period resulting in an overpayment of £14.10. Arrangements have been made to recover this over-payment by weekly deductions of £2 per week from his current claim with effect from 28 March 1983.
696.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: A free electricity allowance will be applied to the account of the person concerned from the May-June 1983 billing period onwards when she will have attained the age of 66 years.
697.
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.
: Unemployment assistance has been authorised to the person concerned at the weekly rate of £13.45 being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £25.45 less means £12 derived from the benefit of board and lodgings in his parents home. All arrears due have been paid to him and weekly payments continue to be made as they become due.
698.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of dental benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: According to the records of my Department, the person concerned is qualified for dental benefit. Her claim was approved on 2 March 1983, and both the claimant and her dentist were notified accordingly. Payment of the amount due on foot of the claim will be made to the dentist shortly.
699.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for an unmarried mother's allowance to be paid immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: A decision on the claim of the person concerned to unmarried mother's allowance is awaiting the receipt of her own and her child's birth certificates. She has been reminded of this and as soon as they are received a decision will be made.
700.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: All disability benefit payable to date to the person concerned has been issued.
701.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since 1975 and he is presently being paid at the rate of £16.50 being the maximum rate payable to him £21.20 less means £4.70 derived from the notional value of his holding. It is open to him to apply to have the means derived from his holding assessed factually. If he does so his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined on the basis of such assessment.
702.
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 is in receipt of unemployment benefit at the rate of £75 a week. All arrears due were paid on 4 March 1983 and further payments continue to be made as they become due.
703.
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 the benefit of his wife's earnings exceeded 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 submitted to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
704.
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 was assessed with means of £19.20 derived from an intestacy share of land. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance during the period 7 December 1982 to 11 January 1983, when he last signed as unemployed, at the weekly rate of £6.25 being the maximum rate payable to him £25.45 less means £19.20. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week.
705.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for a widow's pension to be paid at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The person concerned is in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension at a reduced rate on the basis of her means derived from a farm and capital. Following written representations on her behalf from the Deputy a review of her means is being carried out. As soon as this is completed a decision will be given without delay.
706.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: The person concerned was paid maternity allowance from 1 November 1982 to 29 January 1983. She then claimed disability benefit and all benefit payable to 12 February 1983, date of latest medical certificate received, was issued to her on 18 February 1983.
707.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: It has not been possible from the information supplied to trace a benefit claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number or the social insurance number of the claimant can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied.