asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit which was stopped two weeks ago will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, and if he will be transferred to invalidity pension.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
704.
The person concerned is currently paid disability benefit to 23 May 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received. There has been no delay in payment and the last four payments issued on the following dates: 4, 11, 19, 25 May 1983.
He was in receipt of pay-related benefit to 13 May 1983 at which stage his entitlement to that benefit was exhausted and payment ceased from that date.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and are regarded as permanently incapable of work. Accordingly, arrangements have been made to have him referred for medical referee examination at an early date and his entitlement to that pension will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
705.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been signing for five weeks.
Inquiries were necessary to ascertain that the person concerned fulfilled the condition of being available for work before her entitlement to unemployment could be determined.
The investigations were recently completed and her claim was allowed at £27.80 weekly. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
706.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary is only being paid £58.00 unemployment assistance when he should be getting over £80.00 per week and when this matter will be rectified.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was reinvestigated by a social welfare officer following which his means were assessed at £22.00 weekly with effect from 16 February 1983. Means were derived from self-employment selling vegetables. Accordingly the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him is £58.00 weekly being the maximum rate £80.00 less £22.00.
He applied for a review of his means and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these are completed his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
707.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been reduced from £51 to £22.65 a week in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath as he has no other means.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £22.65 weekly derived from self-employment as a fisherman. He is accordingly being paid unemployment assistance at £27.85 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £50.50 less £22.65.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means at £22.65 weekly.
708.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit for the periods from 20 April 1981 to 13 July 1981, 20 July 1981 to 8 August 1981, 10 August 1981 to 6 July 1982 and from 21 March 1983 to 23 May 1983. She was paid maternity allowance from 20 December 1982 to 19 March 1983.
Under the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts a person must have at least 156 paid contributions to her credit since entry into insurable employment in order to qualify for payment of disability benefit for a period exceeding 52 weeks.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has a total of only 117 such contributions. Her entitlement to disability benefit became exhausted on 24 April 1982 and she has consequently been overpaid benefit since then.
She has been requested to furnish details of any insurable employment she may have had in the period from 7 July 1982 to 19 December 1982 which might entitle her to further payment of disability benefit.
709.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare (a) the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received disability benfit since 26 March 1983; and (b) the reason she did not receive the full amount of disability benefit due to her since last November.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 11 November 1982 to 27 November 1982 and from 19 March 1983 to 21 May 1983 and all payment due on these claims has now been issued. The delay in issuing payment on her November claim arose because the claimant quoted an incorrect RSI number on her final medical certificate and consequently it was not associated with her claim.
Payment on her March claim was issued up to 26 March 1983 after which date she was certified fit to resume to work. A further first certificate in respect of a different incapacity from 28 March 1983 was misfiled, however, and when more intermediate certificates were received on 5 May 1983, she was, in error requested to submit a first certificate showing the commencment date of the incapacity.
The balance of disability benefit and pay-related benefit up to 21 May 1983, after which date she returned to work, has now been issued.
710.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 made redundant over one year ago and whose pay-related benefit has expired and who has not received assistance from last August until May this year because she was staying with relations in Galway will obtain back payments for August 1982 to May 1983.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 6 August 1982 to 22 February 1983 after which date she ceased to sign as unemployed. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that as she failed to furnish particulars about her means while resident in County Galway she failed to show that her means did not exceed the statutory limit. She has appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have her case determined by an appeals officer.
The person concerned then moved to a Dublin address and claimed unemployment assistance from 23 March 1983. She was assessed with nil means and has been in receipt of unemployment assistance from that date at the maximum rate of £26.25 weekly.
711.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment benefit was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Following a review of his case and an investigation by a social welfare officer the means of the person concerned derived from his holding were assessed as being in excess of the statutory limit and his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed from 13 April 1983.
He appealed against the disallowance and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means as being in excess of the statutory limit.
712.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is considered ineligible for unemployment benefit by his Department.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £28.85 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging on his father's holding.
His unemployment assistance claim was accordingly disallowed as the means assessed against him exceeded the maximum rate payable to him.
He appealed against the disallowance and an appeals officer reduced the assessment of his means to £20.00 weekly. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £5.45 weekly being the maximum rate £25.45 less £20.00.
Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
713.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is satisfied that a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is in receipt of his full social welfare benefits; and the reason for the reduction of approximately £18 per week which has recently been effected.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 May 1982 and was paid at the reduced rate appropriate to a married man who had 34 contributions only to his credit in 1980-81, the contribution year governing his claim.
His claim from 6 May 1983 onwards is governed by his contribution record in 1981-82. As he had 52 credited contributions in that year, he was entitled to payment at the maximum rate. Due to an administrative error the increase in benefit due for his wife was omitted from payments due for the period 9 to 14 May 1983. The matter has now been corrected and arrears due for the period have been issued.
All disability benefit payable to 4 June 1983 has now been issued.
714.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned has been assessed with means £30.30 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home. His parents are land holders and own a business.
He is not qualified for unemployment assistance as the means assessed against him exceed the maximum rate payable to him.
He recently obtained an appeal application form. When he returns it his case will be referred 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.
715.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 2 May 1983. Inquiries were made to ascertain his contribution record during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. It was established that he had 43 contributions paid at appropriate class and payment of flat rate unemployment benefit was authorised at the rate of £30.50 weekly payable from 5 May 1983, the fourth day of unemployment.
He is also entitled to pay-related benefit at £37.47 weekly payable from 23 May 1983, the nineteenth day of unemployment.
Arrangements have been made to pay all benefit due this week. Further combined payments of £67.97 will be made as they become due.
716.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made to increase the amount of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 30 December 1982 but the claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit.
He asked for a review of his means and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for re-investigation. Following the completion of inquiries he was assessed with means £25.65 weekly derived from self-employment and he is accordingly being paid unemployment assistance at £38.10 being the maximum rate of £63.75 less £25.65.
If he is dissatisfied with the latest assessment of his means it is open to him to appeal against the assessment and a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office. His case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
717.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the full rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned was assessed with means £8.15 weekly derived from self-employment and the present rate of unemployment assistance payable to him is £81.15 being the maximum rate payable to him as a married man with eight qualified children £89.30 less £8.15. He was overpaid unemployment assistance in respect of one of his children who attained age of 18 years and the overpayment is being deducted at £3.00 weekly from current payment. Accordingly he is presently receiving £78.15 weekly.
If he considers that his means have altered since he was assessed at £8.15 weekly it is open to him to apply for a review of his case. A form for this purpose is obtainable at his local office.
718.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of disability benefit has been suspended since 10 April in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 13 May 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received. Payment issues on receipt of medical evidence and as he submitted certificates at monthly intervals only, payment was issued accordingly. He has been requested to submit certificates at weekly intervals in future to avoid delay in payment.
719.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick since May 1983.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 February 1983 and was paid from 10 February 1983, fourth day of incapacity. Payment is made on receipt of medical evidence in the Department and on this basis all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 23 May 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received, has been issued. The last four cheques were issued on the 4, 12, 19 and 26 May 1983.
720.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a widow's pension has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11.
The claim to widow's pension by the person concerned was refused by decision dated 5 November 1982 as it was not established that she had been the legal wife of the deceased man with whom she had been living. She was notified accordingly and of her right to appeal against the decision. No appeal has been received from her.
721.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance and arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was the holder of a qualification certificate with means assessed at £26.90 weekly when he lodged a claim for unemployment assistance on 8 February 1983. He was paid unemployment assistance at £23.60 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £50.50 less £26.90 pending a reinvestigation of his means. Following the completion of investigations he has been assessed with means at £0.10 weekly from 8 February 1983 and £0.05 weekly from 3 March 1983 derived from the value of capital. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £50.40 weekly from 8 February 1983 and £50.45 from 3 March 1983 and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week.
722.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will forward an invalidity pension application form to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 17 September 1980 and payment has been made to 4 June 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 invalidity pension and in this connection arrangements are being made to have her examined by a medical referee on 10 June 1983. Her entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
723.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was assessed with means £55 derived from the benefit of his wife's earnings. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £2.95 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £57.95 less £55. 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 appeals officer's decision.
724.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
An appeals officer assessed the means of the person concerned at £2.30 weekly derived from self-employment as a fisherman. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £23.15 weekly being the maximum rate £25.45 less £2.30. It is open to him to apply for a review of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office and when completed his case would be referred to a social welfare officer for a reinvestigation. The means assessed against him will be reviewed in the light of his report.
725.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if so, when.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension from 21 April 1983. The pension book payable from 9 June 1983 has been issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 21 April 1983 to 8 June 1983 less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period will be paid by payable order.
726.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the very reduced proposed pension for a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if he will arrange an immediate investigation and appeal in the light of the circumstances.
The assessment of the means of the person concerned, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding less statutory deductions for qualified children, entitles him to a pension at the rate of £20.35 a week from 27 March 1983 and £11.95 from 15 May 1983. Pension at these rates has been put into payment on a provisional basis pending the decision of an appeals officer on an appeal lodged by the social welfare officer against the local pension committee's decision awarding pension at a higher rate. The claimant will be notified of the outcome in due course.
727.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying arrears of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 March 1983 and payment was authorised in error to 30 March 1983. He was not, however, qualified for benefit as according to the records of the Department he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid since his entry into insurable employment. When this was discovered payment of benefit was terminated.
728.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance and she attended an oral hearing of her case on 10 May 1983. The appeals officer upheld the disallowance and she was notified accordingly on 17 May 1983.
729.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned submitted a claim for children's allowance on 14 May 1982 in respect of her daughter who was born on 18 April 1982. Children's allowance at the rate of £17.50 per month was awarded in respect of this child with effect from 1 May 1982 and allowance books payable from that date were issued to the claimant on 22 June 1982. These supplementary books increased the claimant's monthly allowance to £73.75 per month which is the correct rate payable in respect of her six qualified children.
In view of the Deputy's question, the person concerned is being contacted with a view to ascertaining whether the supplementary allowance books were received. When a reply is received any necessary action will be taken without delay.