asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
750.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until his means have been assessed.
A social welfare officer made numerous calls to his address but he was not available for interview. He has now been written to by the investigating officer for the purpose of arranging the time of interview.
When all the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined accordingly.
751.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a full contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is in receipt of retirement pension at the maximum weekly rate of £65.95 which includes an allowance of £25.70 in respect of his wife who is under age 66 years.
There was no increase in the rates of social welfare payments in October 1982.
752.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of an old age pension at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of a pension at the reduced rate of £30.45 plus adult dependant allowance.
An application for an increase in pension recently received from him will be referred to the local pension committee for decision shortly when the social welfare officer has completed her inquiries.
753.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for a free electricity allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
There is no trace of receipt of an application for free electricity allowance from the person concerned. She is not, however, qualified for this benefit as she is a widow pensioner under age 66 and she would need to have reached that age to qualify.
754.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not receiving a contributory old age pension at the maximum rate.
The person concerned is in receipt of a contributory old age pension at the personal weekly rate of £39.70. This is the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 46 contributions over the period from 5 January 1953 to 31 December 1977. He would require a yearly average of 48 contributions over that period to qualify for a contributory old age pension at maximum rate. He had a total of 1,163 qualifying contributions in this period.
His wife is in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension in her own right since 2 March 1979 at a rate which is higher than the amount of the adult dependant's allowance which would otherwise be payable to him.
755.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that he was not unemployed from 15 December 1982 as his earnings from his holding exceeded £2.00 per day and he did not fulfil the condition of having at least 78 contributions paid during the previous three years.
He appealed against the disallowance but following an oral hearing of his case on 22 April 1983 at which he attended an appeals officer upheld the disallowance. He was, however, in receipt of unemployment assistance from 15 December 1982 to 26 April 1983 at the weekly rate of £32.70. He has ceased to sign as unemployed.
756.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for a deserted wife's allowance as it is not understood why payments which were made for many years were discontinued and in view of the fact that her husband was the only husband she ever had.
The payment made to the person concerned from July 1973 to April 1982 was not deserted wife's allowance but social assistance allowance for unmarried mothers. This allowance ceased in April 1982 when she no longer fulfilled the condition for payment which requires a claimant to have at least one qualified child residing with her.
She is not entitled to deserted wife's allowance as she is not legally the wife of the man in question as he had previously been married.
757.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the pension book of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has been recalled; and the reason the supplementary pension being paid to her daughter is also being reduced.
Following a review of the old age pension entitlement of the person concerned, which revealed that there has been an increase in her means consisting mainly of the weekly value of capital, her pension book at the £36.95 rate was recalled for adjustment. A pension at the rate of £30.95 a week is now in payment pending the decision of the local pension committee on a question for reduction of her basic pension.
A prescribed relative allowance book for £19.30 was also returned to the Department but as payment of the allowance is not affected, the book has been returned to her.
758.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The Department have no record of receipt of an application for unemployment benefit from a person residing at the address supplied or of an employment record under the RSI number quoted.
If the Deputy furnishes further particulars to enable the person concerned to be identified the matter will be investigated.
759.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 November 1982 and was paid to 4 January 1983, after which date he resumed work. In addition pay-related benefit was paid from 30 November 1982. There was no delay in issuing pay-related benefit in this case.
760.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was discontinued from 22 February 1983 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 30 December 1982 to 23 February 1983, after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and was examined on 21 April 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work. His case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the near future. He will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.
761.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following the completion of inquiries the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned has been allowed at £7.30 weekly being the maximum rate £25.45 less means £18.15 derived from the value of board and lodging on his father's holding.
He is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue him with an order for encashment at his local post office paying all arrears of unemployment assistance due.
762.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an application for an old age pension will be approved and payment commenced for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the rate of £28.45 plus £14.30 dependent spouse allowance and £28.30 dependent children allowance from 10 March 1983 has been recommended by the social welfare officer. The appropriate pension books payable from 20 May 1983 have been issued and the arrears due from 10 March 1983 will be issued shortly.
763.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid at an increased rate to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Following a review of his case the person concerned was assessed with nil means with effect from 28 November 1982. He is accordingly entitled to the maximum weekly rate payable to him £50.50 and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week. Further weekly payments will follow as they become due.
764.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in taking a decision to increase unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Following a reinvestigation of his case the person concerned was assessed with means of £36.20 weekly, derived from the benefit of his wife's earnings with effect from 16 March 1983. Accordingly he is being paid unemployment assistance at £14.30 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £50.50 less means £36.20.
He has not appealed against the amount of means assessed against him. If he now wishes to do so an application form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
765.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is eligible for pay-related benefit.
Inquiries were necessary to ascertain the reckonable earnings which the person concerned received to enable his eligibility for pay-related benefit with his flat-rate unemployment benefit to be determined.
These inquiries were recently completed and all arrears of pay-related benefit due were paid last week. Further combined payments of £72.47 weekly representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £59.65 and pay-related benefit £12.82 will be made as they become due.
766.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit from 9 February 1983 to date will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 1 September 1982 to 8 February 1983. Payment was suspended from 9 February 1983 as she failed to attend for examination by a medical referee.
It was subsequently established that she was hospitalised on 9 February and payment was restored. A cheque for the arrears was issued on 12 April 1983. All benefit due to 27 April 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
767.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and when payment will be resumed.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an investigation by a social welfare 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 appealed against the disallowance and his case was referred again to a social welfare officer to afford him an opportunity of disclosing his means before his case was submitted to an appeals officer. However, he refused to co-operate with the investigating officer and his case was submitted to an appeals officer who upheld the disallowance. The decision of the appeals officer is final in the absence of fresh facts or new evidence.
768.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid arrears of a deserted wife's allowance which is due to her from 3rd June to 14th December, 1982.
A payable order for arrears of deserted wife's benefit for the period from 3 June 1982 to 15 December 1982, less deductions in respect of unemployment benefit paid to her during that time, was sent to the person concerned on 16 May 1983.
769.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Galway can expect full payment of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned is presently in receipt of unemployment assistance at £31.80 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him as a married man £43.95 less means £12.15 derived from value of land and from the benefit of the disabled person's allowance paid to his wife. His child attained the age of 18 years and an increase is no longer payable in respect of him.
If he is dissatisfied with the assessment of his means it is open to him to appeal and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
770.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
All arrears of pay-related benefit due to the person concerned, less the amount of £51.13 which he had been overpaid in respect of a previous disability benefit claim were sent to him last week. Further weekly payments of £41.94 including £10.29 pay-related benefit will continue to be made as they become due.
771.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following the completion of inquiries the weekly means of the person concerned were assessed at £1.90 derived from the value of free board and lodgings at his parents home. All arrears of unemployment assistance due to him were issued last week and further weekly payments of £23.55, being the maximum rate of £25.45 in his case less means £1.90, will continue as they become due.
772.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when full unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following an investigation of his case the means of the person concerned were reviewed and assessed at £14.15 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging on his father's holding. He is accordingly being paid unemployment assistance at £11.30 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £25.45 less £14.15.
He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
773.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Galway will now be considered for a contributory widow's pension.
According to the records of the Department, the minimum requirements for receipt of contributory widow's pension were not met by the person concerned on either her own or her husband's insurance. Her claim was therefore refused.
She indicated when making her claim that she had been in insurable employment from 1936 to 1940. No record of this employment could be traced and she was informed accordingly. However, employment for this period or for a possible period of ten to 12 years prior to 1946 as referred to by the Deputy would still not qualify her for the contributory pension. To qualify for the minimum contributory pension she would need an average of at least 24 contributions a year from the commencement of her employment up to 1980, the year before her husband's death. Even 12 full years of contributions from 1934 to 1945 would only yield an average of 13.
Her claim to a pension from the Department of Health and Social Security. Newcastle-on-Tyne, has also been examined and refused by them. She is currently in receipt of a non-contributory widow's pension at the rate of £25.80 per week. This is the rate appropriate to a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children and with means between £12 and £14 per week. Her means are derived from a holding, profit from a shop and capital. The means are at present being reviewed by a local officer and when the investigations have been completed the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
774.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 who applied for disability benefit in view of the fact that because she suffers from dermatitis she cannot fulfil the necessary six months stamp requirement.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned had no contributions paid or credited since 1976-77 and she does not therefore satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to benefit. To qualify for disability benefit on the claim made by her on 9 March 1982 she would need to have a minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in the 1980-81 contribution year. This is a statutory condition and the person concerned cannot again qualify for benefit or the award of credited contributions until she has a minimum of 26 weeks of employment in respect of which contributions have been paid.
775.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the payment of disability benefit will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit for a period of six weeks from 15 March 1983 following his failure to attend for examination by a medical referee. He has since submitted medical evidence that he was unfit to attend for examination on the date specified and the disallowance has been waived. All disability and pay-related benefit payable to 9 May 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued to the claimant.
776.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay social welfare benefit as a matter of urgency to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in respect of the period from 22nd November, 1980 to 16th February, 1981.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 29 November 1980 to 14 February 1981. Due to an administrative error payment was not issued at that time. Payment has now been issued for the period from 3 December 1980, the fourth day of incapacity, to 14 February 1981.
777.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied some time ago.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension from 14 April 1983. The pension book payable from 9 June 1983 has issued to the designated post office of payment.
Arrears in respect of the period from 14 April 1983 to 8 June 1983 less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period will be paid by payable order.
778.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied some time ago.
One of the conditions which an applicant for unemployment assistance must fulfil is that she is available for work. To satisfy this condition she must be genuinely seeking work.
In the case of the person concerned inquiries were necessary to ascertain what steps she had taken to find employment. It is expected that investigations in her case will be completed shortly after which her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined.
779.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a claim for pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
All arrears of pay-related benefit which were payable with flat-rate unemployment benefit were paid to the person concerned at his local office on 7 September 1982.
780.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has been reduced from £81.95 to £70.80 per week in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned received unemployment benefit at the appropriate weekly maximum rate in his case of £81.95 for 156 days to 28 March 1983. The rate was reduced to £70.80 weekly from 29 March 1983 because he did not satisfy the condition of having 280 contributions paid in the previous seven years. Weekly payments of £70.80 will continue to be made as they become due.
781.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 29 March 1983. However, according to the Department's records he does not have the required minimum number of contributions in the relevant governing contribution year 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 to qualify for this benefit.
In order to ascertain whether he had further unrecorded contributions in that year he was asked to furnish either his income tax form P.60 or a statement from his employer regarding his employment and a final decision on his unemployment benefit claim has been deferred pending his reply. In the meantime he is being paid unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate of £69.55 appropriate in his case.
782.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he has been signing since 1 January 1983.
The person concerned is in receipt of flat rate unemployment benefit at the maximum rate payable to him £31.65 weekly since 3 January 1983.
His entitlement to pay-related benefit with his flat rate unemployment benefit cannot be determined until his reckonable earnings during the relevant income tax period 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981 are known. He has been asked on numerous occasions to furnish a form P.60 or a statement from his employer certifying his earnings during the period but to-date he has not done so.
783.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry from the date she completed her AnCO training course; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed and was paid unemployment and pay-related benefit in respect of the period from 27 October 1982 to 27 November 1982, during which she signed the unemployed register. There is no record of a repeat claim from her for unemployment benefit or for unemployment assistance and the AnCO authorities in the area have no record of the person concerned undergoing a training course with them.
784.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he is now being paid only £21.15 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £22.80 derived from the benefit of his wife's pension, land and from capital. He is accordingly being paid unemployment assistance at £21.15 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £43.95 less £22.80.
He has appealed against the amount of weekly means assessed against him and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
785.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
A cheque for the amount of benefit payable on his claim was issued on 13 May 1983 to the person concerned.
786.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 16 May 1981 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 9 July 1981 by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
His case was then referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer held an oral hearing of the case and decided that the claimant was not incapable of work during the period from 18 May 1981 to 21 August 1981 (the date of the latest medical certificate before him) and was not entitled to be paid benefit in respect of that period.
He continued to submit medical evidence of incapacity and his claim from 22 August 1981 was disallowed. He appealed against the disallowance of benefit and arrangements were made to have him examined by a medical referee on 25 May 1982 but he did not attend. Arrangements were again made for an examination on 21 October 1982 but he failed to attend. If the claimant wishes to proceed with his appeal he should inform the Department of his willingness to attend for examination by a medical referee and further arrangements will be made.
787.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 March 1983 and payment has been issued from 4 March 1983 the fourth day of incapacity, to 9 May 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
Two cheques for disability benefit covering the period from 4 March to 4 April 1983 were issued in error to an incorrect address. These were returned to the Department and were reissued to the correct address on 2 May 1983.
788.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 5 April 1983 and her application has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of her means. Her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report and also whether she satisfies the conditions of being available for and generally seeking employment.
789.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned was not entitled to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit as she had insufficient earnings during the relevant income tax period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982.
790.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has been signing the register since November, 1982.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit.
A claim for unemployment assistance was accepted from him but following an investigation of his means his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from land exceeded the statutory limit.
791.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following the appeal of the person concerned in October last against the reduced rate of widow's non-contributory pension awarded to her, the appeals officer on receipt of additional information, including a copy of a deed of transfer, has decided that she is entitled to pension at the weekly rate of £42.60 with effect from 5 October 1982 the date on which she transferred her land to her son.
This is the maximum rate of pension payable to a person under 66 years with one qualified child. Her weekly means are now assessed at £5.65 derived from capital. She has been informed of the appeals officer's decision and requested to return her pension order book. On receipt of this book, one at the maximum rate will be issued and all outstanding arrears will be paid direct to her shortly after.
792.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 15 February 1983 and inquiries are still being made to determine his eligibility for benefit under the trade dispute provision of the Social Welfare Acts between 15 February 1983 and 1 April 1983.
His claim from 2 April 1983 has however been allowed and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit due to him this week. Further combined payments at £43.43 weekly representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £31.65 and pay-related benefit £11.78 will be made as they become due.
793.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the balance of insurance benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned was paid all disability benefit due to 2 May 1983 after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
The claimant was notified of the result of the examination on 10 May 1983 and also advised of his right to appeal if he is dissatisfied with the decision.
794.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who has no means had his unemployment assistance reduced considerably; and when full payment will be restored.
The reason for the reduction in the amount of unemployment assistance paid to the person concerned was that following a recent investigation of his means, which had not been reviewed for a very long time, his weekly means were assessed at £23.00 derived from the value of free board and lodgings on his brother's holding. He appealed against the amount of means assessed and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for review before being sent to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement will be re-examined in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
In the meantime weekly payments of £2.45 will continue to be made being the maximum rate £25.45 less means of £23.00.
795.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The claim of the person concerned to deserted wife's allowance benefit is at present under investigation. Efforts are being made to have the husband interviewed to obtain his version of the circumstances of the desertion in order to establish whether the claimant fulfils the statutory conditions for receiving the allowance. This is a normal requirement in this type of case. It is hoped to have all inquiries completed in the near future. A decision in the case will then be given without delay.
796.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 7 August 1982 to 10 March 1983, after which date payment was disallowed 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 arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 30 May 1983. His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
797.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since 17 June 1981.
He is presently being paid the weekly rate of £48.20 being the maximum rate payable to him £57.95 less means £9.75 derived from the value of board and lodging on his parent's holding and from capital.
798.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been signing for approximately 14 weeks and to-date has not been informed of any decision on the case.
The entitlement to unemployment assistance of the person concerned cannot be determined until his means have been assessed and it is established that he fulfils the condition of being unemployed on days when he is not employed as a mart worker.
Inquiries which were made by the social welfare officer were recently completed and the case is being submitted to a deciding officer for decision. A decision on his case will be made as early as possible and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
799.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be approved and paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
In order to qualify for unemployment assistance a person must satisfy a means test. The yearly means of the person concerned were assessed at £3,500 derived from his wife's share of a holding. As his means exceeded the statutory limit of £2,350.40 he did not qualify for unemployment assistance. He was advised of this decision and of his right if dissatisfied to have his case determined by an appeals officer. However, he did not appeal against the decision.