asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit which is due to a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid.
Written Answers . - Social Welfare Benefits .
759.
: The person concerned was paid maternity allowance under the Scheme for Women in Employment in respect of the period 10 January 1983 to 9 April 1983. This scheme provides for an earnings-related payment at the rate of 80 per cent of earnings in the relevant income tax year subject to a prescribed minimum weekly payment. The prescribed minimum was £56.55 per week prior to 4 April 1983 and is £64.88 per week since that date.
The minimum rates were applicable to the person concerned and have been paid to her. A detailed statement of the position is being forwarded to her.
760.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he applied on 12 September 1982.
: Following inquiries in regard to his means the application of the person concerned for a qualification certificate has been turned down by a deciding officer on the grounds that his means derived from his farm exceeded the statutory limit of £3,983.20 in his case. Accordingly he is not entitled to unemployment assistance. This decision is being sent to him by his local office.
He has the right, if dissatisfied, to appeal against this decision and a form on which to set out the grounds of his appeal can be obtained at his local office.
761.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be granted a free electricity allowance as his claim has been with his Department for a considerable time.
: The ESB have advised that a free electricity allowance has been applied to the account of the person concerned from the March-April 1983 billing period onwards.
762.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 11 October 1982 to 26 October 1982 and from 17 January 1983 onwards. His claim was allowed at the maximum rate of flat-rate unemployment benefit payable to him £31.65 and all payment due was made without delay.
Inquiries were necessary to establish his entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit and these were recently completed. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of pay-related benefit due this week.
Further combined payments of £57.11 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £31.65 and pay-related benefit £25.46 will be made as weekly payments become due.
763.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and the reason for the delay.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 11 October 1982 to 26 October 1982 and again from 17 January 1983 onwards. He was paid the maximum flat-rate unemployment benefit to which he was entitled and pay-related benefit from 25 January 1983. There was no delay in payment.
Combined weekly payments of £84.11 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £52.15 and pay-related benefit £31.96 are being made as they become due.
764.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a claim for unemployment benefit or assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
: The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 23 December 1982. Prolonged inquiries were necessary in reviewing his means as he had acquired additional land since his means were previously assessed. He has been assessed with weekly means of £38.45 derived from his land. Accordingly, unemployment assistance has been authorised at the weekly rate of £25.30 being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £63.75 less means £38.45. The weekly rate was reduced to £19.50 from 3 April 1983 when one of his qualified children reached 18 years of age.
All arrears due will issue to him this week. He ceased to sign the unemployed register on 11 April 1983.
765.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit on 10 December 1982 and he will not re-qualify for benefit until he resumes employment for a period of not less than 13 weeks.
He became eligible to claim unemployment assistance on 11 February 1983 when he attained the age of 18 years and lodged a claim. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. The inquiries are expected to be completed shortly and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will then be determined.
766.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal in respect of the granting of inadequate unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be finalised and increased payments made.
: Following a review of her case the means assessed against the person concerned were reduced to £1.65 weekly with effect from the commencement of her unemployment assistance claim on 12 January 1983.
She is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the rate of £23.80 being the maximum rate payable to her £25.45 less means £1.65 derived from the value of capital. Arrangements have been made to pay any arrears due less amount of supplementary welfare allowance which were advanced to her and have to be recouped to her health board. Further weekly payments will be made at £23.80 weekly.
767.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The person concerned has been assessed with nil means and unemployment assistance has been authorised at the maximum weekly rate of £25.45 in his case. Arrangements have been made for payment to be made to him this week.
768.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the children's allowance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason the arrears due have not been paid.
: Due to a clerical error arrears of £18.00 were not issued to the person concerned. The matter has since been rectified and a payable order for this amount is in the course of issue.
The claimant is currently in receipt of a monthly allowance of £33.75 in respect of her three qualified children.
769.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the disability benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has stated that he did not receive a cheque for period 1 to 8 March 1983.
: The person concerned reported the non-receipt of a disability benefit cheque which was issued to him on 14 March 1983 in respect of the period from 1 March to 8 March 1983. A replacement cheque was issued to him on 21 April 1983.
770.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate an application for occupational injury and pay-related benefits for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason he has not yet been paid.
: The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 5 April 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 22 March 1983. Pending the completion of investigations resulting from the accident he was awarded disability benefit as an interim measure from 26 March, the fourth day of incapacity, and this was paid in respect of the period to 4 April on medical certificates received.
In the absence of medical certificates subsequently inquiries were made from the employers and on their confirming the claimant's continuing incapacity, disability benefit was paid in respect of the period to 23 April. Pay-related benefit was also paid from 6 April, the thirteenth day of incapacity. On 8 April an inquiry form was issued to the employers to confirm details of the occupational accident. A reminder has been issued for the return of the completed form. A decision on the claim to injury benefit will be made as soon as the investigation is completed.
771.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 28 March 1983 and his claim was allowed. Unemployment benefit at the weekly rate of £59.45 is currently in payment and all arrears due to him have been paid.
Pay-related benefit, in addition to unemployment benefit, has been authorised at the weekly rate of £17.56 with effect from 11 April 1983. All arrears were paid to him last week and combined weekly payments of £77.01 will continue to be made as they become due.
772.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying maternity benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: There is no record in my Department of the receipt of a claim for maternity benefit from the person concerned. A claim form on which to claim benefit has been issued to her and on its return the claim will receive immediate attention.
773.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying three weeks unmarried mother's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as the book was lost on 27 December 1982 and the money in respect of those weeks involved was not paid.
: A payable order has been issued to the person concerned in respect of arrears due for the period from 30 December 1982 to 19 January 1983 less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the Southern Health Board, in the same period.
Before issuing the arrears, it was necessary to confirm with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs that no orders later than 23 December 1982 in the lost book had been cashed.
774.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying a children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: A claim was received from the person concerned on 15 March 1983 in respect of her second child who was born on 27 January 1983. Allowance was awarded at the rate of £11.25 per month with effect from 1 February 1983 and an allowance book payable from that date was issued direct to the claimant's home address on the 22 April, 1983.
775.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not been paid the pay-related rate of disability benefit since September, 1982.
776.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not been paid occupational injury benefit since the date of his accident, 27 January 1982 in view of the fact that he submitted a completed claim form.
: It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 775 and 776 together.
The person concerned was allowed occupational injury benefit from 27 January 1982 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on that date. He was also allowed pay-related benefit from 10 February 1982, thirteenth day of incapacity.
On 23 September 1982 he was paid injury benefit for the period from 27 January 1982 to 27 July 1982, the maximum period of 26 weeks payable less disability benefit already paid to him from 7 May. He was also paid pay-related benefit due in respect of the period.
As regards payment of pay-related benefit since September 1982, pay-related benefit did not issue in the normal way from 15 September together with his disability benefit as a result of an administrative error. Pay-related benefit due in respect of the period from 15 September 1982 to 13 April 1983 amounting to £472.28 was paid on 21 April 1983.
777.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying arrears of pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and the reason for the long delay in keeping his unemployment benefit payments up-to-date.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 15 December 1982 and following the completion of inquiries to establish his contribution record his claim was allowed at the maximum flat-rate unemployment benefit, £75.00 and all arrears due were paid on 1 February 1983.
It is a condition for entitlement to pay-related benefit that the sum of flat-rate unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of an applicant's average net earnings. The 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned is £76.80. Accordingly he was entitled to pay-related benefit at £1.80 weekly from 29 December 1982 and payment of pay-related benefit due was made when arrears of flat-rate unemployment benefit were paid to him on 1 February 1983.
Combined payments of £76.80 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit, £75.00 and pay-related benefit, £1.80 are being made to him as they become due at regular weekly intervals.
778.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
: The old age pension claim of the person concerned 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 pension is recommended it will be paid on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision.
779.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and the reason for the long delay in deciding on his application.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 7 March 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.
He was not available for interview when the investigating officer called to his address. However, further efforts are being made to contact him and when inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
780.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has no means, lives under very bad conditions, is destitute, and has been signing for unemployment assistance since 14 December 1982.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 17 December 1982 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. He failed to co-operate with the investigating officer and extensive investigations were necessary to ascertain details of his income from self-employment.
The inquiries were recently completed and means of £17.30 weekly were assessed against him derived from self-employment.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the rate of £8.15 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him, £25.45 less £17.30. All arrears due were paid last week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
781.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that he is married with one child and has no means.
: In order to qualify for unemployment assistance at the maximum rate a person must have nil means. The person concerned was assessed with weekly means of £7.75 derived from fishing, from land shared with his brother and from a small amount of capital. He is receiving £42.95 a week being the maximum rate of £50.50 in his case less means, £7.55.
He has appealed against the means assessed and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer. The position will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
782.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a contributory pension at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
: The person concerned is in receipt of an old age contributory pension at the personal weekly rate of £39.00. This is the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 40 contributions over the period from 5 January 1953 to 31 December 1978. He would require a yearly average of 48 contributions over that period to qualify for an old age contributory pension at the maximum rate.
He is also in receipt of a living alone allowance at the weekly rate of £2.70.
783.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that her husband is available to take care of the family at home.
: The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned was refused on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She has appealed against this decision and arrangements are being made for an oral hearing of her case. She will be advised of the date and place arranged for the hearing.
784.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, who has been waiting for payment since 9 March 1983.
: The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 1 March 1983 when he applied for retrospective payment in respect of his wife for whom he had not claimed prior to 14 October 1982.
His claim was inadvertently misplaced at the local office dealing with his case which resulted in payments being overlooked. The error was recently discovered and arrangements have been made to restore weekly payments and all arrears due will be paid on 29 April 1983.
His entitlement to an increase in respect of his wife prior to 14 October 1982 will be determined shortly.
785.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying arrears of children's allowances to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
: The person concerned submitted an application for continuation of children's allowance in respect of her son who reached 16 years of age in January 1983. An allowance book at the rate of £17.50, covering payment of all allowance due in respect of him, was issued on 22 April 1983. The delay in dealing with this application was due to a filing error.
The claimant is currently in receipt of a total monthly allowance of £126.25 in respect of her nine qualified children.
786.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
: It is presumed that the Deputy intended to refer to the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 17 February 1983 and before her entitlement could be determined inquiries were necessary to ascertain her contribution record during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 and to establish her availability for work.
The inquiries were recently completed and her claim was allowed at the maximum weekly rate of £27.80 and all arrears due were paid last week.
Further weekly payments are being made as they become due.
787.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who was refused unemployment assistance in November 1981.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 4 November 1981 and following an investigation of his case his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work and that he was not available for work. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim but following an oral hearing of his case on 25 March 1982 an appeals officer, whose decision is final, upheld the disallowance. He ceased to sign as unemployed after 6 April 1982.
A review of his decision would only be undertaken by the appeals officer if new facts or fresh evidence were made available to him.
However, if the person concerned considers that he now fulfils the conditions it is open to him to renew his claim and his case would be investigated. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
788.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
: The claim of the person concerned to deserted wife's allowance/benefit was received on 7 April 1983. Her case is at present under investigation by a local officer of the Department. When his report is received a decision will be given and the claimant will be notified of the outcome.
At present she is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the Midland Health Board.
789.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will immediately arrange to investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who was refused a continuation of his disability benefit.
: The person concerned was disqualified for disability benefit from 7 March 1983 to 16 April 1983 as he failed to attend for examination by a medical referee on 14 February 1983.
Following a review of his claim in the light of the explanation submitted by him payment was restored.
A cheque for the arrears of benefit due, less amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, was issued on 21 April 1983. All benefit payable to 30 April 1983 has been issued.
790.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the diminished rate of payments of benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
: The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at the weekly rate of £52.15, the maximum rate for a married couple.
Prior to 4 April 1983 he was also paid pay-related benefit at £6.47 per week. He then ceased to be entitled to pay-related benefit as the Social Welfare Act, 1983, operative from 4 April 1983, provides that pay-related benefit is not payable where the total amount of disability benefit and pay-related benefit equals or exceeds 80 per cent of a claimants average reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant income tax year, which in this case is the 1980-1981 income tax year.
Disability benefit in payment exceeded 80 per cent of the claimants' weekly earnings that is £46.90 and he ceased to be entitled to pay-related benefit.
791.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit on a disability claim was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal for a period from 13 January to 22 February 1983.
: The person concerned is at present in receipt of disability benefit which is being paid as medical certificates are received.
On a review of her claim, it has been found that as she had has a series of linked claims since 25 February 1980, her entitlement to pay-related benefit became exhausted on 18 December 1981. She has, therefore, been overpaid an amount of £494.49 in respect of pay-related benefit since that date. This overpayment is being recouped by way of deduction from the current and any future claims at a rate of £5 per week.
792.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 will receive arrears of a deserted wife's allowance as she has been deserted since 26 October 1982; and the amount due to her.
: A payable order for £443.54 in respect of arrears of deserted wife's benefit for the period from 28 October 1982 to 5 January 1983 was issued to the person concerned on 22 April 1983.
A sum of £173.56 was withheld in respect of disability benefit paid to her during part of the period.
793.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an old age pension has yet been approved for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
: The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. The social welfare officer has recommended pension at the rate of £22.45 weekly plus £11.30 adult dependant allowance with effect from 10 February 1983. This rate has been put into payment on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision.
794.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an assessment has yet been carried out for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo with a view to an increase in her widow's pension.
: A review of the old age pension entitlement of the person concerned revealed that her means, consisting of a holding and capital had increased since the original investigation of her claim. A question for reduction of her pension from £34.45 a week to £20.45 a week from 4 February 1983 was accordingly referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the rate of £20.45 is in payment pending the pension committee's decision.
If the pensioner is dissatisfied with the committee's decision, she will have a right of appeal against it.
795.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have all arrears of unemployment benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he has been unemployed for some time.
: Following the completion of inquiries the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was allowed and all arrears due to him were paid last week.
Further weekly payments at £32.31 representing the maximum weekly flat-rate benefit £31.65 and pay-related benefit of £0.66 will be made as they become due.
796.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny placed on invalidity pension in view of the fact that he has been in receipt of disability benefit on monthly certificates for a number of years and was recently again deemed to be unfit for work.
: The regulations provide that the claimant, apart from satisfying the contribution conditions, must be regarded as permanently incapable of work, in order to qualify for invalidity pension.
The person concerned was examined on 3 March 1983 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred again for a further examination in six months' time.
His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of this examination after it takes place in September.
In the meantime he continues to receive disability benefit at the maximum rate of £81.95 appropriate to a married man who has four qualified children.
797.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive a deserted wife's allowance which was applied for in June 1982.
: The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit for herself and four qualified children at the maximum rate, with effect from 27 May 1982. An order book, payable from 21 April 1983, has been forwarded to the designated post office for collection by her and she was notified accordingly.
A payable order in respect of arrears due for the period from 27 May 1982 to 20 April 1983, less deductions for the amount of supplementary welfare allowance received by the claimant from the South Eastern Health Board and the dependants' portion of her husband's unemployment benefit which was paid to her, has been sent to her.
798.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: In order to qualify for unemployment assistance a person must be the holder of a qualification certificate which is a statement of his means.
The person concerned was unco-operative with the social welfare officer in regard to the disclosure of his means and in such circumstances it was not possible to establish his entitlement. However, in a further effort to determine his means his case has again been referred to the social welfare officer and he has been asked for an early report in the matter.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
799.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when maternity benefit which was applied for nine weeks ago will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: There is no record in my Department of the receipt of a claim for maternity benefit from the person concerned. She would not, however, qualify for benefit on her own insurance as she is paying a modified rate of contribution which does not provide cover for this benefit. She may be entitled to a maternity grant on her husband's insurance if he is insurable at an appropriate contribution rate and if the confinement took place before 4 April 1983. The person concerned has been notified accordingly.
800.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit which is due to a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid.
: The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit since 23 June 1980. He was paid at the maximum rate payable to a married couple to 2 January 1982. From 4 January 1982, the commencement of a new benefit year, entitlement to benefit was determined on his 1980-81 record. According to the records of my Department at that time the claimant had 41 contributions only in 1980-81 and he was paid at the appropriate reduced rate to 1 January 1983.
It has now been established that he had 51 credited contributions in 1980-81 and was therefore qualified for payment of disability benefit at the maximum rate from 4 January 1982 to 1 January 1983. An adjustment cheque paying arrears of benefit due for this period was issued on 25 April 1983.
801.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension was reduced from £23.45 to £16.45 for the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: Following a routine investigation of the old age pension entitlement of the person concerned which revealed that his means have increased, a question for reduction of his pension from £23.15 to £19.15 is being raised. Pension at the rate of £19.15 is in payment pending the local pension committee's decision.
If the pensioner is dissatisfied with the committee's decision, he will have a right of appeal against it.
802.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related/disability benefit which is due to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not been paid.
: The person concerned originally claimed disability benefit from 31 January 1983 and was paid from 4 February 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 2 March 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
In addition, pay-related benefit was paid from 14 February 1983, thirteenth day of incapacity. He made a further claim for disability benefit on 5 April 1983 and has been paid to 18 April 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received. Should the claimant remain incapable of work in the meantime he will be entitled to pay-related benefit from 26 April 1983.
803.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The means of the person concerned were assessed at £57.70 a week derived from land and unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £17.65 was paid to him on 19 April 1983 being the appropriate maximum rate in his case £75.35 less means £57.70. He had been in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance while his application was being processed and as this was due to be refunded to the health board no arrears of unemployment assistance were due to him.
He appealed against the means assessed and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The position will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
804.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if this matter will be rectified without delay having regard to the serious financial difficulties in which he has been placed as a result.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 18 March 1983 and has been paid to 15 April 1983 date of the latest medical certificate received. In addition, pay-related benefit is in payment from 1 April 1983, 13th day of incapacity.
The first certificates were received on 28 March 1983 when the claimant handed them into the Department's public office but due to the intervention of the Easter holiday period, payment did not issue until 11 April 1983. In order to avoid any delay in payment a claimant should forward the first certificate of incapacity to the Department within seven days of the date of commencement of incapacity. This allows time to process the claim before receipt of further certification on which payment can be made.
805.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delays and difficulties being experienced by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in obtaining occupational injury or disability benefit in respect of a serious accident at work; and if he will confirm that the payments will henceforth be transmitted on a regular basis and that arrears, if any, due will be paid as a matter of urgency.
: The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 28 February 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 27 January 1983.
Pending the completion of necessary investigations arising from such accidents claimants are first considered for disability benefit on an interim basis. The person concerned however failed to satisfy the qualifying contribution condition for disability benefit which required him to have at least 26 contribution in the governing contribution year to 5 April 1982.
Following confirmation by the employers of the occupational accident, injury benefit was allowed from the date of the accident. All injury benefit due to the date of the latest medical certificate received has been paid less a deduction in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Eastern Health Board which has been refunded to the board.
Payment of injury benefit will continue to be made in respect of medical evidence of incapacity received.
806.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow has not received disability benefit.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 March 1983 and has been paid to 18 April 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received.
In addition, pay-related benefit is in payment from 19 March 1983, 13th day of incapacity. Payments have issued on a regular basis on receipt of medical certificates in my Department.
807.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow since 10 January 1983.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit in respect of incapacity for work from 13 December 1982 and was paid benefit from 16 December 1982, fourth day of incapacity. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 27 December 1982, 13th day of incapacity. A final medical certificate certifying him fit to resume work on 17 January 1983 was received in the Department on 18 January 1983 but in error payment for the period from 11 January 1983 to 15 January 1983 was not issued. A cheque for the arrears due was issued to the person concerned on 25 April 1983.
808.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 March 1983 to 21 March 1983 and submitted an intermediate medical certificate to this effect. Payment was made from 4 March 1983, fourth day of incapacity. It was subsequently established, however, that the claimant's illness commenced on 10 February 1983 and an adjustment cheque for the arrears of benefit was issued to him on 25 April. 1983. All benefit has been paid to 21 March 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
809.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 9 December 1982 was inadvertently misfiled.
Payment of all arrears due will be made to her this week. Further weekly payments of £39.02, including £11.22 pay related benefit, will continue to be made as they become due.
810.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance in this case was that the completed application form for unemployment assistance sent by post by the person concerned failed to reach the local office. Duplicate application forms received from her on 11 April 1983 have been referred to a social welfare officer for an early report on the applicant's means. When the report is received her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against her.
811.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension has been reduced by £2 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: Due to an increase in the assessment of the means of the person concerned, consisting of a British retirement pension, a question for reduction of her old age pension from £30.45 a week plus living alone allowance to £28.45 a week plus living alone allowance from 18 March 1983 has been referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the rate of £28.45 plus £2.70 living alone allowances is in payment pending the pension committee's decision.
812.
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 has been awarded a widow's contributory pension at the weekly rate of £67.30 from 15 April 1983. This is the maximum rate payable to a widow under 66 years with three qualified children. Her husband, who died on 26 February 1983, had been in receipt of an invalidity pension which included an increase for her and payment of this pension continued to be made to her up to 14 April, 1983. A pension order book with orders payable from 15 April 1983 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she was notified accordingly.
813.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as she has been forwarding certificates since June, 1982.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 June 1982 but was not entitled to payment as she had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in the 1980-81 contributions year governing her claim during 1982. According to the records of the Department she had no contributions paid or credited in 1980-81. From 3 January 1983 the governing contribution year is 1981-82. According to the records of the Department she had a total of 22 contributions in 1981-82. She is not, therefore, entitled to benefit during 1983.
814.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowances will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: No claim to a deserted wife's allowances from the person concerned can be traced in my Department. An application form has, however, now been sent to her.
815.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit from 5 April 1982 in respect of an accident at work on 9 September 1981. Notification of the accident was not made within the prescribed time so the claim was treated as one to disability benefit and he was paid from 8 April 1982 fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit due to him to 30 April 1983 has been paid. He may, however, be entitled to disablement benefit claim form was issued to him on 22 April 1983. When the claim form is returned to my Department duly completed, his entitlement to disablement benefit will be determined.
816.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefits have not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork although medical certificates have been submitted.
: The person concerned was in receipt of maternity allowance from 3 December 1982 to 10 March 1983. A claim form for disability benefit together with four medical certificates covering the period from 14 March to 4 April 1983 were received in my Department on 11 April 1983 and payment in respect of these was made on 19 April 1983. Medical certificates have not been received for any period subsequent to 4 April 1983.
817.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that an old age pension at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: An old age pension book at the maximum rate, including an increase for his wife, was issued to the post office nominated by the person concerned on 23 March 1983.
818.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider his decision to reduce an old age pension from £30 to £15.75 per week in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The question for reduction of the old age pension of the person concerned to £15.75 a week was referred to an appeals officer for decision. The appeals officer has deferred his decision on the matter pending receipt of a further report on additional inquiries which are being made. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
819.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider his decision to reduce unemployment assistance from £22.45 to £15.45 per week in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: Following a review of his case the means of the person concerned were assessed by a deciding officer at £10.00 weekly derived from the benefit of board and lodging in his mother's home. He is, accordingly, being paid unemployment assistance at the rate of £15.45 being the maximum rate £25.45 less £10.00. Although it was open to him to do so he did not appeal against the assessment of means in his case.
820.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if free electricity and television rental allowances will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The ESB have advised that a free electricity allowances has been applied to the electricity account of the person concerned from the February/March 1983 billing period onwards.
The person concerned also qualifies for a free television licence which may be obtained on application at his local post office.
821.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a free transport pass will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as she has been a deserted wife for 11 years.
: There is no trace of an application for free travel from the person concerned having been received in the Department. It is not possible from the information furnished to say if she would qualify under the scheme.
An application form has, however, been issued to her for completion. If she feels that the conditions of the scheme are satisfied in her case, she should return the completed form to the Department so that a decision can be given in her case.
822.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: Unemployment assistance was discontinued in the case of the person concerned on the grounds that he had failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit of £2,350.40 a year in his case. He had failed on a couple of occasions to keep appointments made by the social welfare officer to discuss his means.
The person concerned has since ceased to sign the unemployed register.
823.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 1977 and is currently paid to 30 April 1983 at the rate appropriate to a married man with one qualified child dependent.
Due to an administrative error he was paid an increase for the period 9 August 1980 to 8 October 1982 in respect of his son John who attained 18 years of age on 9 August 1980.
Payment of the increase in benefit ceased from 8 October 1982 and the resulting overpayment is being deducted from current benefit payments at the rate of £2.00 per week.
824.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an application for invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at regular weekly intervals and payment has been made to 30 April 1983.
Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned is being considered for the award of an invalidity pension and in this connection arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 4 May 1983. His entitlement to the pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.
825.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an application for an invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will expedite his re-examination by a medical referee as the case has been outstanding for a long time.
: The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 15 September 1980 and payment of disability benefit is being issued to him at regular weekly intervals.
Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned is being considered for invalidity pension and in this connection arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 4 May 1983. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
826.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has no means but who was assessed by a deciding officer as having excess means.
: The person concerned was assessed with means derived from self-employment as a plasterer in excess of the maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to him following the investigation of his case by a social welfare officer. He was advised of the decision in his case and of his right to appeal against the amount of means assessed against him and to have his case determined by an appeals officer but to date he has not done so. If he wishes to have his case reviewed he should, therefore, complete an appeal form which may be obtained at his local office.
827.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has been unemployed for four months and who has received no benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
: The person concerned does not qualify for unemployment benefit on the basis of his Irish insurance record in the relevant contribution year 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981. He worked in the United Kingdom during this period and the British authorities were asked to supply his insurance record. Information requested by them regarding his employment was sent to them but it has been ascertained that they have not yet succeeded in tracing his employer and are, therefore, not yet in a position to furnish his insurance record.
Further details of his employment are being sought from the person concerned and these will be passed on urgently to the Department of Health and Social Security to assist them in their inquiries.
The person concerned was advised of his right to claim unemployment assist ance but did not do so.
828.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Galway is in receipt of an old age pension at the maximum rate.
: The person concerned is currently in receipt of an old age pension at the reduced rate of £24.45 plus £2.50 over-80 allowance and £2.70 living alone allowance. His £24.45 book was recalled on 12 April 1983 for reduction to £22.45 but it has not yet been received from him. The reduction in pension arises following a routine re-investigation of his claim to take account of an increase in his British retirement pension in November 1982.
829.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was stopped in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork while she was under the care of a consultant in Cork Regional Hospital; and the reason her appeal has not yet been heard.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 4 January 1980 to 5 March 1983 after which date payment was disallowed 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 26 April 1983. Her entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
830.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as he has been signing for four weeks.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 November 1982 and has been paid to 16 April 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received. He last claimed and was paid unemployment benefit from 11 August 1982 to 20 October 1982.
831.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid at present to a person (details supplied); and when it will be paid.
: The person concerned has now been paid all disability benefit due to 23 April 1983.
There was delay in issuing benefit from 7 March 1983 because of an administrative error which was subsequently rectified.
832.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when payment will be issued.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 10 September 1973 to 11 December 1982. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and in connection with his appeal he was examined on 21 February 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered that he was capable of work. The claimant subsequently informed the Department that he did not wish to proceed with his appeal and submitted a final certificate which certified him as fit to resume work on 28 February 1983. He claimed unemployment benefit from 13 December 1982 and has been paid to date.
833.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit or unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been in hospital for the past six weeks.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 March 1983. Payment was not issued owing to an administrative error. All benefit payable from 8 March, the fourth day of incapacity, to 8 April 1983, the date of the latest medical evidence received has now been issued.
834.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been signing for the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
: The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 13 February 1982 on the grounds that by failing to disclose his means he failed to show that his means do not exceed the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries and to ascertain if he was prepared to co-operate in revealing all his sources of income. The social welfare officer made several void calls before being able to interview him and inquiries are still being made in the matter.
When investigations are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
835.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having an electricity allowance granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he is an invalidity pensioner and as the application has been made for some time.
: The application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned was received in the Department on 10 February 1983 and following the completion of inquiries, the ESB were instructed to apply the allowance to his account from the April-May 1983 billing period onwards. This is the appropriate commencement period for the allowance in this case.
Due to an oversight, there was a delay in notifying the person concerned of the approval of his application.
836.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as the application has been made for some time.
: 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 application of the person concerned for a qualification certificate was however disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from land, exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the assessment of his means but an appeals officer confirmed the decision given in his case.
837.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a non-contributory old age pension at the full rate paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as the application has been made for some time and the deed of settlement stamped.
: The claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of a pension has not been recommended as the assessment of her means, consisting of the net yearly value of capital and a holding in regard to which documentary evidence of transfer has not been produced, exceeds the statutory limit of £38 per week.
If the person is dissatisfied with the decision of the pension committee, she will have the right of appeal against it.
838.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a non-contributory old age pension at the full rate paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
: The old age pension entitlement of the person concerned was reinvestigated recently in connection with an application he made for an increase. The investigation revealed that his means have increased since pension was first awarded to him and the social welfare officer has referred the case to the local pension committee with a recommendation against payment of an increase in pension.
839.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a non-contributory old age pension paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as the application has been made for some time.
: The claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of a pension has not been recommended as the assessment of her means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding exceeds the statutory limit of £38.00 per week.
If the person is dissatisfied with the decision of the pension ommittee, she will have the right of appeal against it.
840.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have the payment of disability benefit and pay-related benefit reinvestigated for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is married with four dependant children.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit at £81.95 per week, maximum rate payable to a married couple with four dependant children, from 12 October 1982, fourth day of incapacity to 5 March 1983, after which date he was certified as fit to resume work.
The amount of pay-related benefit payable from 22 October 1982, thirteenth day of incapacity, was limited to £6.17 per week as, under the regulations, pay-related benefit was limited to the amount needed to bring total entitlement up to the amount of the average weekly reckonable earnings in the relevant income tax year, £88.12 per week in this case.
841.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork, and the reason for the delay in making payment.
: The person concerned had been in receipt of unemployment benefit up to 5 February 1983 when she ceased to sign the register of unemployed. She made a repeat claim on 13 April 1983 and her claim was authorised on 19 April 1983 at the weekly rate of £31.65 plus £5.34 pay-related benefit. She is at present receiving combined payments of £36.99 a week. There was no undue delay in dealing with this claim.
842.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay in making payment.
: There is no record of an application for unemployment assistance having been received from the person concerned at his local office.
843.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay injury benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 1978 and payment has been issued to 30 April 1983.
The delay in issuing payment for the period from 7 March to 23 April 1983 was due to a delay on the part of the claimant in submitting a medical certificate.
844.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay in making payment.
: There is no record of a claim for either unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance having been received from the person concerned at her local office.
845.
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.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 January 1983 to 12 April 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received. He is not, however, qualified for payment as according to the records of the Department he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions, paid or credited, in 1981-82, the contribution year governing his claim. He was advised of the position on 25 January 1983.
An officer of the Department called on the person concerned on 25 April 1983 with a view to ascertaining if any further contributions were due in respect of 1981-82. The position is, however, that no further contributions are due and he is not therefore, qualified for benefit.
846.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider his recent decision not to grant unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He recently obtained a form of application for appeal but has not returned it to date. However, when he does so, his case will be forwarded to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
847.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has been signing on the register for the past 14 weeks.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and following an investigation of his case he was assessed with means of £27.65 weekly derived from self-employment and the value of board and lodging on his brother's holding.
The amount of means assessed against him exceeds the maximum weekly rate payable £25.45 and accordingly he is not entitled to unemployment assistance.
848.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in regard to an application for an old age pension from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
: The person concerned is not eligible to claim old age pension as she has not attained the age of 66 years. She claimed single woman's allowance and her case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. Following the completion of inquiries she was assessed with means £28.20 weekly, derived from capital and the value of her holding and as this amount exceeded the statutory limit she is not entitled to the allowance. If she is dissatisfied with the assessment of her means it is open to her to appeal and to have her case determined by an appeals officer.
849.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
: The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 7 January 1983 in respect of an incapacity which she attributed to the nature of her employment.
Pending the completion of a specialist's report in connection with the claim for injury benefit, disability benefit was awarded from 6 January, the fourth day of incapacity, on an interim basis. Pay-related benefit was also awarded from 17 January, the thirteenth day of incapacity.
Disability benefit in respect of the period to 18 April, the date of latest medical certification has been paid. Due to an error there was delay in paying pay-related benefit in respect of the period from 17 January to 31 January 1983. This benefit has now been paid with the result that all pay-related benefit due to the date of latest medical certification has now been paid.
850.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is being paid at irregular intervals to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when this will be rectified.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 January 1983 and has been paid to 14 April 1983, date of latest medical certificate received.
There has been no undue delay in issuing payments in this case as payments have been issued as medical certificates are received in my Department.
851.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he is quite disabled and is now attending a rheumatologist; and if his case will be reviewed.
: The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 7 October 1981 to 2 April 1983. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was notified of the disallowance on 29 March 1983 and was advised of his right of appeal against the decision but no appeal has been received to date.
The Deputy's inquiry and request for a review has been taken as an appeal in this case and arrangements are being made to have him examined by another medical referee as soon as possible. His entitlement to disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
852.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit at the full rate will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The person concerned has received the full rate of pay-related benefit to which she is entitled based on her reckonable earnings of £1,300 in the relevant contribution year from 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981.
The amount of pay-related benefit of 20p per week to which she is at present entitled is included in her current weekly payment of £31.85.
853.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been paid unemployment assistance although he has been signing since November 1982; and when he will be paid.
: The person concerned applied for a qualification certificate, which is a statement of his means, in May 1982 but he was not available for interview when the Social Welfare officer called at his home in connection with his means. He re-applied on 13 January 1983 and his means have been assessed at £33.00 a week from that date, derived from his wife's earnings. His unemployment assistance claim has accordingly been authorised at the weekly rate of £24.95 being the maximum rate in his case £57.95 less £33.00 means. The weekly payment of £24.95 will be made this week and any arrears due after deduction of Supplementary Welfare Allowance paid in the meantime, which is due for refund to the health board, will be made shortly.
854.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 9 February 1983 but following inquiries her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment or making genuine efforts to get work. She appealed but following an oral hearing of her case an appeals officer confirmed the decision given in her case on the grounds that she was interested in employment with her former employer only.
855.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Galway has received the total disability pension due to him.
: It has not been possible from the information supplied to trace a 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.
856.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
: Inquiries were necessary to establish the insurability of the employment of the person concerned in the relevant contribution year 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981. The inquiries revealed that it was in fact insurable but the papers were lost in transit to the local office. Unemployment benefit has been authorised at the weekly rate of £30.50 and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week. Further weekly payments will continue as they become due.
857.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the free electricity allowance will be transferred from one person to another (details supplied) in County Kerry.
: An application form for a free electricity allowance was issued to the person concerned on 10 January 1983. There is, however, no trace of receipt of a completed application either in the Department or the district ESB office.
A further application form has, therefore, been issued to him and it should be completed and forwarded in the first instance to the ESB for attention.
On receipt of the completed application in the Department the case will be considered and he will be notified of the outcome.
858.
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.
: The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 24 January 1983 which was authorised at the maximum weekly rate in his case of £31.65
Following inquiries the amount of pay-related benefit payable has been determined and all arrears due will be issued to him this week. Further weekly payments of £52.77 (£31.65 flat-rate benefit plus £21.12 pay-related benefit) will continue to be made as they become due.
859.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
: The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 28 September 1981 to 29 May 1982 when her claim was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She again claimed disability benefit from 29 June 1982. However, as her incapacity was the same as her previous claim payment was not allowed.
She appealed against the decision to disallow her claim to benefit and in this connection she was examined by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was incapable of work from 1 February 1983 (on account of a different incapacity). All disability benefit payable from 1 February to 5 April 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received has been paid.
Her case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of her appeal against the disallowance of her claim from 29 June 1982 to 31 January 1983 in the near future. She will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the necessary arrangements have been made.
860.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the maximum rate of £34.45 a week has been recommended by the social welfare officer. The pension book will be issued this week on a provisional basis pending the pension committee's decision.
861.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The unemployment assistance application of the person concerned has been authorised at the weekly rate of £9.90 being the maximum weekly rate in his case, £57.95 less weekly means of £48.05 derived from his land. All arrears due to him were paid last week and weekly payments of £9.90 will continue to be made as they become due.
862.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an application for a non-contributory widow's pension will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: The application of the person concerned for a widow's non-contributory pension has been refused. Her means, which were assessed at £39.36 per week derived from a holding and capital, exceed the statutory limit of £38.00 per week for award of pension to a widow over 66 years with no qualified child/children and consequently she is not entitled to pension.
The statutory limit will be raised with effect from 1 July 1983 as a result of the increased rates of pension payable from that date and the person concerned has been advised to make a further application at that time.
863.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
: All arrears of pay-related benefit due to the person concerned were paid on 14 April 1983.
Further combined weekly payments at £41.06 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit, £27.80 and pay-related benefit, £13.26 will be made as they become due.
864.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal against a decision to grant unemployment assistance at a reduced rate to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
: The assessment of the weekly means of the person concerned was increased on 16 March 1983 from 25p derived from the benefit of board and lodgings on his parents farm to £19.60 derived from land and capital. His weekly payment of unemployment assistance was accordingly reduced from £25.20 to £5.85, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £25.45 less means, £19.60. He appealed against the increased assessment of his means on 25 March 1983 and the case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision which will be given as soon as possible.
865.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is not being paid pay-related benefit.
: The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 February 1983 and has been paid to 19 April 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received. In addition, pay-related benefit was paid from 15 February 1983, thirteenth day of incapacity, to 2 April 1983.
From 4 April 1983 he ceased to be entitled to pay-related benefit as the Social Welfare Act, 1983, operative from 4 April 1983, provides that pay-related benefit is not payable where the total amount of disability benefit and pay-related benefit equals or exceeds 80 per cent of a claimant's average reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant income tax year, which in this case is the 1980-81 income tax year. The limit in the case of the person concerned is £93.04 weekly.
As the amount of disability benefit in payment, £100 weekly, exceeds 80 per cent of the claimant's reckonable weekly earnings he accordingly ceased to be entitled to pay-related benefit.
866.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when full social assistance payments and arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
: The payment orders in the social assistance allowance book of the person concerned were incorrectly cancelled from 7 April 1983 onwards instead of 7 July 1983, when her child who is over 18 years of age will no longer be attending school.
A new allowance book at the rate of £26.60 per week payable from 7 April 1983 to 6 July 1983 has been forwarded to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
867.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay in making payment.
: It was decided by the local pension committee on 8 March 1983 that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension as the assessment of her means, consisting of capital and the estimated profit from a farm, exceeds the statutory limit of £38 a week. The person concerned was informed of the decision on the 9 March.
868.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay in making the payment.
: The person concerned claimed a widow's non-contributory pension on 20 July 1982. Following inquiries by the local social welfare officer a letter was received from her solicitor stating that she had decided to withdraw her claim to pension.
There is no record in the Department of the receipt at any further claim to pension from her.
869.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason maternity benefit which was applied for seven weeks ago has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
: There is no record in my Department of the receipt of a claim for maternity benefit from the person concerned. A form on which to claim benefit has been issued to her and on its return the claim will receive immediate attention.
870.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
: The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment benefit continuously at the weekly rate of £75 up to 30 March 1983. From 31 March 1983 his weekly rate of payment was reduced to £65 as he did not satisfy the condition which requires that he must have 280 paid contributions in the seven years preceding his claim. He was not entitled to pay-related benefit because the amount of flat-rate benefit payable to him exceeded the 85 per cent limit for both benefits which in his case was £64.54.