asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who is an unmarried mother, was refused unemployment benefit or assistance; if she will be considered for benefit/assistance at a reduced rate; and if he will make a detailed statement on the matter.
Written Answers . - Social Welfare Benefits .
1004.
: The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned was turned down by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for employment as she was not genuinely seeking work. Following an oral appeal hearing at which she gave evidence on her own behalf the appeals officer was not satisfied that she was genuinely available for employment and he confirmed the decision of the deciding officer disallowing her claim.
Availability for employment means that the claimant must be genuinely in the labour market for full-time employment. He or she must be free to take up such work, must be making genuine efforts to get work and must not place unreasonable limits on the type or location of the employment which would be acceptable.
While a person in receipt of an unmarried mother's allowance may, provided she satisfies the conditions, receive a reduced rate of unemployment or disability benefit as well as her unmarried mother's allowance, she cannot qualify for unemployment assistance in addition to her allowance as an unmarried mother. The person concerned is receiving unmarried mother's allowance at the rate of £42.60 a week which is the maximum appropriate rate in her case.
1005.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an application for free electricity units which was made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The ESB has been instructed to apply a free electricity allowance to the account of the person concerned from the July/August 1982 billing period onwards.
1006.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Galway is entitled to an Irish widow's pension.
: The claim of the person concerned to a widow's contributory pension was refused as her late husband did not have the necessary number of Irish insurance contributions to qualify her for pension. She was notified to this effect on 15 March 1983. He did, however, have a considerable insurance record in Britain and she has qualified for an award of United Kingdom widow's pension under the provisions of EEC Regulations.
Her possible title to an Irish pro rata widow's pension under the same regulations, based on her late husband's combined Irish and United Kingdom insurance records, is currently under examination. The United Kingdom Authorities have recently been requested to furnish certain details concerning insurance contributions and as soon as this information is received a decision will be given in her case without delay.
In the event of her not being entitled to an Irish pro rata contributory pension her entitlement to a non-contributory pension will be investigated.
1007.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The person concerned is presently in receipt of unemployment assistance at the rate of £21.20 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £25.45 less means £4.25. Means in his case are derived from the factual value of his holding.
However, it is open to him to apply to have his means reinvestigated. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
1008.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit on 3 January 1983 and claimed unemployment assistance from 4 January 1983. His case was investigated by a social welfare officer following which he was assessed with means of £19.20 weekly derived from the value of his land.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £56.15 being the maximum amount payable to him £75.35 less £19.20 means. All arrears due were paid to him on 24 March 1983.
Further weekly payments are being made to him as they become due.
1009.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at the rate of £21.55 weekly, being the maximum rate £69.55 less means £48.00 derived from self-employment as a plasterer until 8 March 1983 after which he ceased to sign as unemployed.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the appeals officer is arranging an oral hearing of his case to take place during the first week of May 1983.
The rate of unemployment assistance paid during the period of his claim will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
Question No. 1010 withdrawn.
1011.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit on 17 November 1981 when he received 390 days of benefit. He will not requalify for unemployment benefit until after he resumes work for a period of not less than 13 weeks of insurable employment.
He has been in receipt of weekly unemployment assistance since 18 November 1981 and the present rate payable to him is £24.65 being the maximum rate £25.45 less £0.80 means.
1012.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance for the period 9 September to 1 December 1982 to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The claim of the person concerned to unemployment assistance during the period 9 September 1982 to 30 November 1982 was disallowed on the grounds that she was not genuinely seeking work. She appealed against the disallowance but following an oral hearing of her case on 30 November an appeals officer upheld the disallowance of her claim.
However in the light of fresh evidence submitted on her behalf at a further oral hearing of her case on 9 March 1983 an appeals officer allowed her claim from 1 December 1982 onwards and she is currently in receipt of unemployment assistance at the maximum rate of £25.45 as weekly payments become due.
1013.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a children's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
: Children's allowance was paid in respect of the child in question up to and including June 1982 as the school authorities had certified that he would be in full-time education only up to that date. The person concerned has been invited on a number of occasions to submit a further application for a continuation of allowance as it is understood that the child in question may have commenced to serve an apprenticeship.
When the completed form is returned to the Department the case will be reviewed and any allowance due will be issued to the person concerned without delay.
1014.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a children's allowance has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
: The person concerned was awarded an extension of allowance in respect of his sixteen year old son in October 1981. The appropriate allowance book was issued on 1 December 1981 containing orders for the period October 1981 to June 1982 and a renewal allowance book was issued in May 1982 containing orders for the period July 1982 to June 1983. It now appears that the claimant did not receive either of these two books. In the circumstances a replacement book at the monthly rate of £11.25, payable from April 1983 to June 1983 inclusive, was issued to the claimant on 14 April 1983. A payable order for £171.00 in respect of arrears due for the period October 1981 to March 1983 inclusive, is in the course of issue.
1015.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as his unemployment benefit was stopped in December 1982.
: The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until inquiries about his means had been completed.
The inquiries were recently completed following which he was assessed with means of £4.05. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £22.20 being the maximum rate payable to him £26.25 less means £4.05.
All arrears due from 26 January 1983, the date after which he exhausted his title to unemployment benefit, less advances of supplementary welfare allowance due for recoupment to the health board, were paid on 14 April 1983.
Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
1016.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension which was applied for in November 1982 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: The person concerned, who attained age 66 years on 29 November 1982, has been awarded a contributory old age pension at the maximum weekly rate of £40.25 with effect from 3 December 1982.
A pension book containing orders valid for payment from 1 April 1983 is being issued to the designated post office for collection by her. She has been notified accordingly.
The arrears of pension due for the period from 3 December 1982 to 31 March 1983 are being issued to her by means of a payable order.
1017.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned lodged a claim for unemployment assistance on 1 March 1983 and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.
Inquiries are still being made in the case. When they are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined.
1018.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned has been paid disability benefit from 16 March 1983, date of commencement of incapacity, to the date of the latest medical certificate received.
He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as the weekly rate of disability benefit payable to him exceeds his average reckonable weekly earnings in 1981/82, the relevant income tax year governing his entitlement to pay-related benefit.
1019.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of unemployment assistance at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is married with four children and who is getting only £50.60 per week in view of the fact that he has no other means or income.
: The case of the person concerned has been referred to a social welfare officer for an investigation of his means on a factual basis.
When the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
1020.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in granting an increase in disability benefit to which a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is entitled.
: The arrears of disability benefit payable to the person concerned in respect of his additional child dependant were issued to him on 14 April 1983.
The first intimation that an increase was being sought for a child dependant was in a letter received in the Department in March 1983. A claim form was issued immediately and this was only received in the relevant section after 6 April 1983 due to the fact that the claimant had quoted his old insurance number in place of his RSI number on the form, thus delaying its association with his claim.
1021.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an invalidity pension paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was reduced from £90.60 per week to £83.15 per week and subsequently to £74.70, in view of the fact that he has three children under the age of 18 years all of whom attend school.
: The reason for the reduction in the rate of the invalidity pension of the person concerned from £90.60 to £83.15 is that one of his children attained the age of 18 years of age on 14 December 1982 and ceased to be a dependant for invalidity pension purposes. The rate of invalidity pension in payment is £83.15, that is, the rate appropriate to a married couple who have three qualified children.
A pension book at the rate of £75.70 was inadvertently issued at the general renewal of pension books from 31 March 1983. A replacement book at the correct rate of £83.15 payable from 31 March 1983 was forwarded to the person concerned on 25 March 1983.
1022.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that it is unlikely that he will be able to resume work.
: The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit at the maximum rate appropriate to a single person since June 1981 and payments are being issued to him at regular weekly intervals.
However, in view of the fact that he may be regarded as permanently incapable of work, a form on which to claim invalidity pension, which is payable at a higher weekly rate, has been issued to him and on return of the form, duly completed, a pension book will be issued.
1023.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 24 January 1983 and flat-rate benefit was authorised at the weekly rate of £31.65.
Pay-related benefit is payable in addition to flat-rate benefit.
Details of his earnings in the relevant tax year which were necessary to determine the amount of pay-related benefit payable to him were only recently received. Pay-related benefit was accordingly authorised and all arrears due were paid to him last week.
He is presently entitled to pay-related benefit at the rate of £10.96 weekly and further combined weekly payments £42.61 will continue to be made as they become due.
1025.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 4 January 1982 but as there was no record of insurance contributions paid in respect of him in the contribution year from 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981 his entitlement to unemployment benefit could not be established and he was paid unemployment assistance at the maximum rate from the date of his 18th birthday on 12 February 1982. Evidence of his employment between April 1980 and April 1981 has only recently been furnished by his former employer and his entitlement to unemployment benefit has been authorised at the weekly rate of £25.30 increased to £31.65 from April 1982. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week. His entitlement to pay-related benefit will be determined when details of his earnings with the employer in question have been received.
1026.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to extend optical and dental benefits to the wives of insured workers; if so, the time scale within which he proposes to provide these benefits; if he is aware that the present situation is causing undue hardship to many sections of the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
: It was indicated by my predecessor in reply to a similar question on 3 November last that it is the intention to extend optical and dental benefit to the wives of insured workers as soon as practicable, having regard to other priorities and the finances available. The annual cost of extending the benefits in the manner suggested would be about £5,500,000. No provision was made for the proposal in the 1983 Estimates drawn up by the previous Government nor in the current revised Estimates.
Having regard to the critical state of the public finances and the necessity to allocate scarce resources to those whose needs are greatest, such as the very large number of unemployed, I do not have any resources for this area at present. Insured persons who hold medical cards and their wives are covered by the schemes administered by the health boards and to this extent cases of hardship are accordingly catered for under existing arrangements.
The matter is however something I will keep in mind for consideration when financial circumstances improve and circumstances permit.
1027.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in the amount of the children's allowance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
: The children's allowance payable in this case was due to be reduced from £91.25 to £73.75 per month when her eldest child reached age 16. It seems that her allowance was reduced to £56.25 in error. The claimant's allowance book has accordingly, been recalled for adjustment and when it is received payment at the correct rate will be made.
1028.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received any disability payments since 7 January 1983.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit for 52 weeks from 7 January 1982 to 5 January 1983.
Under the regulations a person must have contributions paid in respect of at least 156 weeks of insurable employment since entry into insurance in order to qualify for the payment of disability benefit for a period exceeding 52 weeks.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has a total of only 124 paid contribution weeks since her entry into insurance on 1 January 1973. Her entitlement to disability benefit ceased, therefore, after 5 January 1983. In order to requalify for payment she would need at least a further 13 weeks of insurable employment in respect of which contributions were paid. She was informed of this position on 10 March 1983.
1029.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received arrears of the prisoner's wife allowance which she has been due since November 1982.
: A payable order for £161 arrears of prisoner's wife's allowance due from 11 November 1982 to 9 February 1983, allowing for a deduction of £571.20 in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her in the same period by the Southern Health Board, has now been sent to the person concerned.
The arrears in this case did not fall due until after a decision had been given on the claim, early in February last, and it was then necessary to establish the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which the claimant had received. Arising from an administrative error there was, however, delay in making the payment.
1030.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received disability benefit although she became entitled to benefit in January 1983.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 May 1982 but was not entitled to payment as she has not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1980-81 the contribution year governing her claim during 1982. According to the records of the Department she has only 23 credited contributions in 1980-81.
From 3 January 1982 the governing contribution year is 1981-82. According to the records of the Department she has a total of only 17 credited contributions in 1981-82. She is not therefore entitled to benefit during 1983.
1031.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received disability benefit.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 March 1983. The initial medical certificate was received in my Department on 5 April 1983. Payment of benefit was not due until a second medical certificate was received from him. Accordingly, the first payment of benefit issued on 14 April 1983, following receipt of the second certificate dated 6 April 1983. Further payments will be made as medical evidence is received.
1032.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received yet arrears of an unmarried mother's allowance.
: The total arrears due to the person concerned for the period from 18 March 1982 to 18 August 1982 amounted to £921.60. Of this amount £94.90 was withheld in respect of maternity allowance and £322.61 in respect of unemployment benefit which she received during that period. A further £420.55 was refunded to the Southern Health Board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during the same period. The balance of £83.54 was issued to her by means of a payable order on 18 November 1982. The claimant has accordingly received full payment of all arrears to which she was entitled. The allowance from 19 August 1982 has been paid by means of an allowance order book cashable at the post office.
1033.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received disability benefit although certified as unfit for work by the medical referee on 7 February 1983.
: Following an examination by a medical referee on 7 March 1983 who expressed the opinion that the person concerned was incapable of work, all disability due from 3 January to 14 April 1983 has been issued. As she had insufficient contributions recorded in the 1980-81 contribution year she was not entitled to payment from 10 September 1982 to 1 January 1983. Payment of further benefit will issue on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity which the claimant has been requested to furnish at weekly intervals.
1034.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unmarried mother's and children's allowances will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath as she applied some time ago; and the arrears due.
: An application for unmarried mother's allowance was received from the person concerned on 7 April 1983. Her case has been referred to a local officer of my Department for investigation. On receipt of his report a decision will be given and the claimant notified without delay.
A claim for children's allowance was received from her on 7 April 1983 in respect of her child born 7 September 1982. As the child was in care up to 14 January 1983 the claimant is eligible to receive the allowance only from February 1983. An allowance book at the monthly rate of £11.25 payable from February 1983 has now been sent direct to her.
1035.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying disability benefit, which has been due since November 1982, to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath as she has furnished certificates; the amount due; and when it will be issued.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 November 1982 to 27 November 1982. She is not entitled to payment of benefit because according to the records of the Department she has not the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in 1980-81, the contribution year governing her claim. According to the records of the Department she has nine Irish contributions and 16 British contributions in that year.
There was delay in dealing with the case initially as there is no record of the receipt of the medical certificates in the Department. Further delay occurred in obtaining the RSI Number from the claimant. An employer's certificate of absence from work through illness was, however, accepted as evidence of incapacity and credited contributions were allowed for the period. She was informed of the position on 25 March 1983.
1036.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in taking a decision on an application for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if he is due arrears of money from the date of signing; the amount due; and when payment will commence.
: In order to qualify for unemployment assistance a person must be the holder of a qualification certificate, which is a statement of the applicant's means. The person concerned had previously been the holder of a qualification certificate which was revoked. He re-applied for a qualification certificate on 5 January 1982 but his application was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory income limit. He again applied on 5 October 1982 but his application was also disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment as a JCB contractor exceeded the statutory income limit. Accordingly he is not qualified for unemployment assistance.
The decision on the latest application for a qualification certificate was delayed due to difficulty in tracing the file containing his previous applications for association with the current application. The person concerned has been notified of the decision and of his right to appeal against it.
1037.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing a children's allowance book to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath as the application has been made since last October; the amount due; and when it will be paid.
: The person concerned claimed children's allowance on 26 November 1982 in respect of her third child who was born on 15 October 1982. Allowance was awarded at the rate of £11.25 per month with effect from 1 November 1982 and an allowance book payable from that date was issued direct to the claimant on 31 December 1982.
As the claimant did not receive this allowance book a replacement was issued direct to her home address on 11 April 1983. A payable order for £45 in respect of arrears due for the period November 1982 to February 1983 is in the course of issue.
1038.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a pension will be increased and paid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath as he has signed over his holding completely and is at present receiving only £36.75 per week; and his new weekly rate.
: Old age pension was awarded to the person concerned in 1980. The rate at which he is being paid at present — £36.75 — is the appropriate rate having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding.
His pension application, received in 1978, stated that the farm had been transferred. The investigation of the claim revealed that this was not the case, and up until 1980 when the pension was awarded, a transfer had not been effected. He has not been in touch with the Department since 1980. If the property has been transferred in the meantime he should submit details to the Department at an early date with a view to having his entitlement to an increase investigated.
1039.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the free TV licence fee for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will arrange for a refund to be paid.
: The person concerned was advised in April 1982 that he could obtain a free television licence by applying to his local post office. One of his children subsequently reached the age of 18 years and may not, therefore, come within the excepted categories for satisfying the "living alone" condition of the scheme. Inquiries are now being made and when these are completed, he will be advised of the position.
1040.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit on a regular weekly basis from 6 April 1982 to 5 March 1983. Payment was discontinued after that date in the absence of continuing medical evidence. Following receipt of a medical certificate dated 31 March 1983 payment was restored from 7 March 1983. All disability benefit has been paid to him to 23 April 1983.
1041.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not qualify for disability benefit.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 18 June 1982 to 28 December 1982 after which date payment was discontinued 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, arrangements have been made to have her examined by a different medical referee on 22 April 1983. Her entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed when the report of the medical referee's examination is received.
1042.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a widow's pension at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned is in receipt of a widow's contributory pension from my Department at the reduced weekly rate of £54.70 appropriate to a widow under 66 years of age with two children and based on her own insurance record which yields a yearly average of 27 insurance contributions. To qualify for pension at the maximum rate she would need to have a yearly average of 48 or more contributions. She is therefore receiving the rate of pension to which she is entitled having regard to her contribution record. The difference between what she is receiving and the amount that would be payable with an average of 48 or more contributions is £1.95.
1043.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate restoration of a free electricity allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
: The free electricity allowance which applied to the account of the person concerned was terminated as his son, who is residing with him, ceased to be a person who came within the excepted categories for satisfying the "living alone" condition of the scheme when he reached the age of 18 years.
1044.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the pay-related portion of unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
: Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of pay-related benefit due to the person concerned this week. Further combined weekly payments at £38.66 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £27.80 and pay-related benefit £10.86 will be made as they become due.
1045.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the payment of unemployment assistance will be resumed to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The person concerned was paid unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £42.05 until 8 March 1983 after which date he ceased to sign as unemployed. Payment of unemployment assistance can only be resumed when he re-applies for assistance and proves unemployment by signing at his local office.
1046.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned has been allowed at the weekly rate of £51.65 being the maximum rate payable to him £69.55 less means £17.90 derived from the value of his holding and from capital. Weekly payments at £51.65 commenced last week. There are, however, no arrears of unemployment assistance due as he was in receipt of advances of supplementary welfare allowance pending decision on his unemployment assistance claim and the amount paid had to be recouped to the health board.
1047.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare (a) the weekly amount of pay-related benefit to which a person (details supplied) in County Dublin is entitled; (b) the weekly payments he received; (c) when further benefit, if any, will be made to him; and (d) the basis on which the calculation of pay-related benefit will be made.
: (a) The weekly amount of pay-related benefit to which the person concerned was entitled from 14 February 1983 was £11.67. (b) He has received flat rate unemployment benefit from 3 February 1983 at the maximum weekly rate in his case of £81.95 and pay-related benefit from 14 February 1983 at the weekly rate of £11.67. (c) Gross weekly payments of £93.62 will continue to be made to him as they become due for the duration of his claim. (d) The amount of pay-related benefit to which the person concerned is entitled is based on his reckonable earnings from 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. However, under the regulations, the combined amounts of flat rate unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and any income tax refunds paid may not exceed 85 per cent of the person's average net weekly earnings. The 85 per cent limit in this case is £93.62.
Accordingly the total amount payable to him by way of flat rate and pay-related benefit may not exceed this figure for the duration of his claim.
1048.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position concerning an application for a children's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if payment will be effective from the date of the birth of the child.
: The person concerned claimed children's allowance on 5 October 1982 in respect of her second child who was born on 25 March 1982. Allowance was awarded with effect from November 1982 the month following that in which the claim was received and an allowance book at the rate of £11.25 per month payable from November 1982 was issued direct to the claimant's home address on 11 November 1982. Payment of children's allowance cannot be made from an earlier date unless there were special circumstances for the delay in claiming. If the claimant can show that there was good cause for such delay her claim will be reviewed on receipt of evidence to this effect.
1049.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when social welfare benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: The person concerned has now been paid all disability benefit due to 12 April 1983, date of the latest certificate received.
1050.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: Following the completion of inquiries the person concerned was assessed with nil means. She is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum rate payable to her £25.45, weekly. All arrears due were paid on 14 April 1983 and further payments will be made as they become due.
1051.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit due to 16 April 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as he had no reckonable earnings in 1980/81, the tax year relevant to his claim.
1052.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the maximum rate including an allowance for his wife and one qualified child with effect from 31 December 1982. The appropriate pension book, payable from 8 April 1983, has been issued. The arrears due from 31 December 1982 to 1 April 1983, less supplementary welfare allowance paid in that period, will be issued as soon as possible.
1053.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of a children's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: The person concerned is entitled to children's allowances in respect of her two qualified children from 10 January 1983 when she ceased to be entitled to United Kingdom child benefit under EEC Regulations.
An allowance book for £22.50, payable from February 1983 has been issued to her, and a payable order for £15.97 in respect of all arrears due was issued on 6 April 1983.
1054.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when social welfare benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: The person concerned is not entitled to payment of disability benefit from my Department as she was last employed in Northern Ireland. Her previous claims were transferred to the Department of Health and Social Security and she was notified of this. She has been requested to complete a claim form in respect of her current period of incapacity to enable her claim to be transferred.
1055.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he is married with one dependant child and has been paying his contributions since 1981.
: The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £25.50 being the maximum rate in his case £50.50 less means of £25.00 derived from his farm.
His claim to unemployment benefit was refused on the grounds that he was not unemployed within the meaning of the Act as his income from his farm exceeded £2 a day and he did not have 78 weeks of insurable employment in the three years preceding his claim on 13 January 1983. He has appealed against this decision and his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the appeals officer's decision. He will be informed of the date on which the appeal hearing will be held.
1056.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been unemployed since 3 February, 1983.
: The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of her case on 15 April 1983 an appeals officer allowed her claim. All arrears of unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit due will be paid this week. Further combined weekly payments of £43.69 representing flat rate unemployment benefit £27.80 and pay-related benefit £15.89 will be made as they become due.
1057.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit at a reduced rate is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he has paid contributions for the past 40 years.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 May 1981 and was paid at the maximum rate appropriate to a single person to 1 January 1983, based on his insurance record in the 1979-80 and 1980-81 contribution years.
From 3 January 1983 his title to benefit is governed by the number of contributions paid or credited in the 1981-82 contribution year. When his claim was reviewed on 3 January 1983 he had, according to the records of my Department, a total of only 45 contributions paid and credited in the 1981-82 contribution year and was paid at a reduced rate from that date. Inquiries have since established, however, that he had the required number of contributions paid and credited on his behalf in the 1981-82 contribution year to entitle him to benefit at the maximum rate. A cheque for the arrears of benefit was issued to him on 15 April 1983.
All disability benefit has been paid to him to 23 April 1983.
1058.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when it will be paid.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 2 February 1982 and was paid a total of 52 weeks benefit to 1 February 1983, based on his insurance record in the 1980-81 contribution year. From 2 February 1983, his entitlement to benefit depended on his 1981-82 insurance record and payment was interrupted while inquiries were being made to establish his entitlement from that date.
When it was ascertained that he was qualified for continued payment based on his 1981-82 insurance record, the outstanding benefit payable, less the amount advanced by way of supplementary welfare allowance, was issued on 14 April 1983. Further payments of benefit will be issued as medical evidence is received.
1059.
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.
: A claim for widow's non-contributory pension from the person concerned was received in my Department on 16 February 1983. On the third visit to the claimant's house on 25 March 1983 the local officer who was investigating the claim finally met her but she was not sure that she wanted to proceed with the claim and asked for some time to consider the position.
The officer made a further visit to her on 8 April 1983 when she indicated that she wished to go ahead with the claim.
Inquiries have now been completed at local level and the report on her circumstances will shortly be available. As soon as it is received a decision will be given on the claim without delay.
1060.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the entitlements a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has as she is not at present in receipt of social welfare benefit.
: It is not possible from the particulars furnished to say with certainty whether or not the person concerned is entitled to a social welfare payment. Examination of the full circumstances would be necessary in order to determine whether or not the conditions for entitlement to a particular benefit are fulfilled. She may be entitled to payment under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme, application for which should be made to the community welfare officer at the nearest health centre who would be in a position to advise in the matter.
Alternatively, she could either write to my Department with more detailed particulars or call to one of the Department's public offices where it would be possible to discuss her case with her. The nearest public office to the person concerned is at 146 Sundrive Road, Crumlin.
1061.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons disability benefit has been withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if, in view of this person's health he will consider restoring benefit.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 22 May 1972 to 27 November 1982 after which date payment was discontinued following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
She appealed against the decision to disallow her claim to benefit and in this connection she was examined by a different medical referee who also considered her to be capable of work.
Her case was then referred to an appeals officer for determination. He decided that the claimant was capable of work during the period from 29 November 1982 to 3 March 1983, and is not entitled to be paid disability benefit in respect of that period. The person concerned was certified fit to resume work by her own doctor from 4 March 1983.
1062.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite the payment of unemployment benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in making payment; and when it will be made.
: Following a review of the weekly means of the person concerned, his means were increased to £38.50 with effect from 26 January, 1983, derived from his holding, self-employment and capital. He was paid unemployment assistance up to 8 February 1983 at the weekly rate of £25.25 being the maximum rate in his case £63.75 less means £38.50. He appealed against the means assessment but an appeals officer confirmed the amount assessed in his case. However, due to an error, the local office had inadvertantly ceased payment to the person concerned from 9 February 1983. Arrangements have been made to restore his weekly payments this week and also to pay him all arrears due from 9 February 1983.
1063.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay disability benefit at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 February 1983 and has been paid at the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with wife and five dependent children to 9 April 1983, date of latest medical certificate received. In addition pay-related benefit is in payment from 25 February 1983, thirteenth day of incapacity.