asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
757.
It was decided by an appeals officer in September 1982 that the person concerned is not entitled to old age pension. The assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of capital and a holding, exceeded the statutory limit of £38.00 per week.
If his circumstances have disimproved in the meantime it is open to him to reapply for pension.
758.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the correct rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned was previously paid unemployment assistance at £27.25 being the maximum rate payable to him £36.60 less means £9.35 derived from the notional value of his, land and benefit from his wife's earnings.
He reported that his wife was no longer engaged in employment and his case was investigated by a social welfare officer. Following the completion of inquiries he was factually assessed at £7.60 weekly, derived from the value of land.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £36.35 weekly being the maximum rate £43.95 less £7.60 with effect from 24 January 1983 and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week. Further payments will be made at £36.35 weekly.
759.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for unemployment benefit on the basis of his Irish contribution record. He was, however, employed in Great Britain and the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, have been requested to furnish details of his British contribution record to enable his entitlement to unemployment benefit to be determined in accordance with the provision of EEC Regulations. The British authorities have been asked to expedite a reply.
He was advised that it was open to him to claim unemployment assistance pending a reply from the British Authorities and the determination of his unemployment benefit claim but he declined to do so. He is presently in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
760.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1.
The person concerned has been in receipt of social assistance allowance for unmarried mothers at the maximum rate since 10 February 1983.
A payable order in respect of arrears for the period from 7 October 1982 to 9 February 1983, less deductions in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during that time, was sent to her on 30 May 1983.
761.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will provide without delay a replacement pay order to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin to reimburse him for the social welfare pay order which was stolen and cashed by an unknown party; and the reason that payment was made on foot of a forged signature which was clearly at variance with the specimen provided with the pay order, and without proper identification.
The person concerned is sent his unemployment benefit payment docket by post each week for encashment at his local post office. Inquiries are being made into the circumstances in which the docket for the payment of £121.46 due to him for the week ended 17 May 1983 was fraudulently cashed. The outstanding payment due to him less the amount of £31.55 he received in supplementary welfare allowance will be issued to him with the current week's payment.
762.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin was refused two months' social welfare benefit recently having regard to the fact that he was in permanent employment for two and a half years and on becoming unemployed registered with manpower and furnished details of employment he had sought; and in the circumstances if he will now arrange for him to be refunded the two months' social welfare benefit to which he claims entitlement.
The person concerned was written to and asked to state what efforts he was making to find work but did not reply. He was warned that if he did not reply the question of suspending payment of unemployment benefit would have to be considered. No reply was received and payment of unemployment benefit was suspended from 3 November 1982 to 28 December 1982 after which he ceased to sign as unemployed.
Following further correspondence he furnished replies on 28 March 1983. After full consideration of the matter his claim was allowed and payment of flat-rate unemployment benefit at £31.65 weekly and pay-related benefit at £6.95 was authorised in respect of the period 3 November 1982 to 28 December 1982.
A bank draft issued on 27 May 1982 paying all the arrears due to him.
763.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason non-contributory pension was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason she was refused the pension for the first three weeks in April 1983; and the grounds on which she fails to qualify for a full widow's pension.
The person concerned has been in receipt of a window's non-contributory pension since may 1981 on the basis of her means derived from two British pensions, one from her late husband's employer and the other from the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Following a recent review of her means consequent on an increase in the latter pension, her non-contributory pension was reduced from £5.80 per week to £3.80 with effect from 29 April 1983. In order to implement this revision her pension order book at the rate of £5.80 which had been in payment to her from 1 April 1983 was recalled. This book, in which the last order had been cashed by the widow on Friday 22 April 1983, was received in the Department on 26 April 1983. A new book with orders at the revised rate payable from Friday 29 April 1983 was issued to her on 3 May 1983. There was therefore no break in payment to her for the first four Friday of April. The rate of pension currently in payment to her is the rate payable to a widow under 66 years with no qualified children whose weekly means, derived in this case solely from her two British pensions, exceed IR£34 but do not exceed IR£36.
The claimant will be entitled to an additional £4.05 per week from 1 July 1983 as a result of the increased social welfare payments announced in the budget last February.
764.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit or assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as his application was made in January 1983.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 27 January 1983 and extensive inquiries were necessary to ascertain his contribution record during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 and to establish whether as a landholder he satisfied the condition of having at least 78 paid contributions in the three-year period prior to his claim. On the basis of a form P.60 furnished by the applicant he satisfied the contribution condition during the period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 but he does not satisfy the conditions of having 78 contributions during the three-year period.
His case has been referred to social welfare officer to investigate his earnings from his holding which if in excess of £2.00 daily would disqualify him from unemployment benefit.
In the meantime the person concerned has been advised that it is open to him to claim unemployment assistance.