asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a dependant persons maintenance allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits
685.
The person referred to by the Deputy underwent a medical examination recently in connection with her application for a disabled persons maintenance allowance. The NorthWestern Health Board is awaiting a report on the examination from the area medical officer. It is expected that a decision on the case will be taken within a fortnight.
686.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied.
Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
687.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit on the basis of her Irish contribution record which requires that she have not less than 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year 1981-1982. The person concerned was last employed in the United Kingdom but her contributions there cannot be invoked under EEC regulations as she has had no employment contributions under Irish legislation in the meantime.
She claimed unemployment assistance and following an investigation of her case by a social welfare officer she was assessed with means at £11.90 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in her father's household. She is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £13.55 weekly being the maximum rate payable to her £25.45 less £11.90. All arrears of unemployment assistance due were paid on 26 May 1983 and further payments are being made at weekly intervals as they become due.
688.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick as she has been signing for the past six weeks.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 15 April 1982.
Pending the completion of investigations resulting from the accident, he was awarded disability benefit on an interim basis from 20 April 1982, the fourth day of incapacity, and pay-related benefit from 30 April 1982, the thirteenth day of incapacity.
Injury benefit was subsequently allowed from the date of the accident and injury benefit over and above the disability benefit paid in the interim has been issued in respect of the period from 15 April 1982 to 13 October 1982, the maximum injury benefit period payable.
The claim has been treated as one to disability benefit from 14 October 1982. Originally the claimant was paid disability benefit at a reduced rate but, as inquiries revealed that he satisfied the contribution conditions for payment at the maximum personal rate, benefit due over and above that already issued at a reduced rate has been paid.
It was also established that he was entitled to higher rates of pay-related benefit than those already paid from 30 April 1982 to 18 April 1983 and payment of the amount due has also been made.
Disability benefit and pay-related benefit have been paid to 19 May 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
689.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned is in receipt of widow's contributory pension of £36.25, the maximum rate payable to a widow under 66 who has no qualified child. Her entitlement to an increase in respect of her son has been considered but as he is over 18 years of age and is a paid apprentice, he cannot be regarded as a qualified child for widow's pension purposes. Accordingly an increase of pension is not payable in respect of him.
690.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a living alone allowance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned is in receipt of a living alone allowance with retirement pension.
In March last he received two books, one containing orders for his basic pension at the rate of £38.45 and the other for his living alone allowance at the rate of £2.70. The orders in these books covered the period from 31 March 1983 to 29 September 1983. In mid-May he received a supplementary book at £0.30 to cover the 12 per cent increase in his living alone allowance from 30 June 1983 and the local post office has confirmed receipt of a further supplementary book at £4.60 to cover the increase in his basic pension from the same date. These latter books contain orders dated from 30 June 1983 to 29 September 1983.
The position was explained to the pensioner in a latter dated 23 May 1983.
691.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £32.10 derived from the letting of land and from capital. The means assessed against him exceed the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £25.45 and accordingly his claim was disallowed. He appealed against the decision but an appeals officer upheld the assessment of means at £32.10 weekly and disallowed the claim.
692.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made with regard to an appeal for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
When the person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 13 May 1983 she was paid at the weekly rate of £1.45, being the maximum rate of £25.45 less means of £24 derived from the value of board and lodgings on her brother's holding. However, her means were re-assessed at £33 with effect from 25 May 1983 and as her means exceeded the amount of unemployment assistance payable in her case, £25.45, she was not entitled to payment. She has not so far appealed against the amount of means assessed against her. Should she wish to do so, a form on which to make her appeal may be obtained from her local office.
693.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and when a decision will be made on the matter.
The person concerned is not presently claiming unemployment assistance. He previously claimed from 28 June 1982 to 1 December 1982 but his claim was disallowed 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 subsequently resumed work following which he claimed and was paid unemployment benefit from 14 February 1983 to 4 April 1983 as he satisfied the contribution conditions for benefit during the new benefit year which commenced on 3 January 1983. He also lodged an appeal against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim during the period 28 June 1982 to 1 December 1982 and his case was referred to a Social Welfare officer for further investigations of the contentions made by him in support of his appeal. These inquiries were recently completed and the case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance during the period 28 June 1982 to 1 December 1982 will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
694.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay related benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The pay-related benefit entitlement of the person concerned cannot be determined until she furnishes a form P.45 or a statement of earnings from her employer covering the period from 6 April 1982 to 12 January 1983. She has been requested to do so on several occasions without result. When the information requested is received her entitlement to pay-related benefit will be determined and any arrears due will be paid to her.
695.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a pension problem will be rectified for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11.
The claim of the person concerned to a widow's contributory pension has been refused as the statutory contribution condition which requires a yearly average of at least 24 contributions was not satisfied on her own or her late husband's insurance records.
As her late husband had a British insurance number the relevant papers have been forwarded to the Department of Health and Social Security, NewcastleUpon-Tyne, to have her title to a British widow's pension considered; that Department will notify her of the result.
When a copy of his United Kingdom insurance record is received from the British Authorities her title to an EEC pro-rata widow's pension based on his Irish and United Kingdom insurance records will be examined and she will be advised of the outcome.
An inquiry regarding her means has been issued to her to complete and return if she wishes to have her entitlement to widow's non-contributory pension examined. A similar inquiry which was issued to her some months ago was not returned.
696.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a duplicate free travel card will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry as the original travel cards were destroyed by fire.
Replacement free travel passes were issued to the persons concerned on 2 June 1983.
697.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
A living alone allowance has been granted to the person concerned with effect from 30 January 1983. An allowance order book payable from 1 April 1983 at the rate of £2.70 a week has been issued to her and the arrears due are in course of issue.
698.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when ten weeks arrears of unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Inquiries to establish the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit were recently completed and her claim has been authorised at the maximum weekly rate of £27.80. All arrears of unemployment benefit due were paid to her on 3 June 1983 and further weekly payments of £27.80 will continue as they become due.
699.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
A living alone allowance has been granted to the person concerned with effect from 23 September, 1982. The appropriate allowance book and arrears have been issued to her nephew who has been appointed agent to act on her behalf as she is incapacitated.
700.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not paid weekly to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 August 1982. Payment has issued from 2 September 1982, the fourth day of incapacity, to 30 May 1983, the date of the latest medical evidence received. Pay-related benefit has also been paid in respect of the period from 13 September 1982 the thirteenth day of incapacity to 30 May 1983.
Payment is issued on receipt in the Department of medical certificates. Cheques for May 1983 were issued on 9, 12, 18, 26 and 1 June 1983.
701.
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 claimed unemployment benefit on 18 May 1983 at his local office and following inquiries to ascertain his contribution record his claim was allowed at the maximum rate payable to him £75.00 weekly.
All unemployment benefit due from 21 May 1983 to 1 June 1983 was paid on 3 June 1983 and further weekly payments will be made as they become due. There was no delay in paying benefit to him.
702.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid and when payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 February 1983 to 16 April 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He is not qualified for payment as he has not the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in 1981-82, the contribution year governing his claim. He was not insurably employed between 1971 and 1981-82.
703.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance applied for seven months ago will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
An application for deserted wife's allowance was received from the person concerned on 28 February 1983. Her case has been investigated by a local officer of the Department and according to the available evidence her husband contributes to her support and is in regular contact with her. She is not therefore a deserted wife under the regulations and does not satisfy the conditions for receipt of a deserted wife's allowance.
704.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as he applied on two occasions and appealed and is awaiting a result.
The person concerned appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim and his case was referred to a Social Welfare officer for additional inquiries related to the contentions made by the applicant in support of his appeal.
Inquiries are still being made in the matter but when they are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
705.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when maternity benefit at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit under the scheme for women in employment. The normal payment duration for such cases is 14 weeks. This is subject to a provision that the leave must commence not later than four weeks before the end of the week in which the baby is expected.
In the case of the person concerned, the baby was expected on 3 March 1983 and, in order to receive a full 14 weeks payment, she would have needed to commence her leave period not later than 7 February 1983. She did not, however, commence her leave until 21 February 1983 and, as a result, she was only entitled to benefit for 12 weeks from that date.
All benefit due on her claim has been paid.
706.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a widow's and orphan's pension has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary and when it will be paid.
The person concerned was awarded a widow's contributory pension at the weekly rate of £35.25 with effect from Friday 21 January 1983, the Friday following her husband's death.
A pension order book with orders payable from 1 April 1983 was sent to the designated post office on 12 April 1983 for collection by her and she was informed accordingly. Following the receipt of insurance details from her husband's last employer she qualified for pension at the maximum appropriate rate, £36.25 from 21 Janaury 1983. A book at this rate payable from 29 April 1983 was issued on 25 April 1983 in substitution for the original one which had been cashed up to that date.
All arrears of pension were paid direct to her by means of payable orders on 19 April 1983 and 11 May 1983.
707.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at regular weekly intervals and payment has been made to 11 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. Accordingly, arrangements have been made to have him referred for medical referee examination at an early date and his entitlement to pension will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
708.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance due to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £29.95 weekly derived from the profit from his land and from capital. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £28.00 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £57.95 less £29.95. He was, however, paid at the incorrect rate of £10.30 weekly. The error has now been corrected and an order for encashment at his local post office is being issued to him this week paying all arrears of unemployment assistance due to him.
Further payments at £28.00 weekly will be made as they become due.
709.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will ensure that payment is restored to this lady immediately.
The person concerned is under 18 years of age and duration of her entitlement to unemployment benefit is limited to 156 days payment which she exhausted on 4 May 1983. She will reach the age of 18 years on 20 June 1983 and she has been furnished with application forms to enable her to claim unemployment assistance from that date. Unemployment assistance is only payable to persons who have reached the age of 18.
710.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider his decision and grant a qualification certificate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment assistance from 13 October 1982 was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit. He did not appeal against the decision and he ceased to sign as unemployed after the 18 January 1983.
If he now wishes to appeal an application form for the purpose may be obtained from his local office and his entitlement will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
711.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a review of his means the person concerned has been allowed unemployment assistance from 18 May 1983 of £20.90 a week. This is the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £43.95 less means £23.05 derived from his farm. Weekly payments of £20.90 will continue to be made as they become due.
712.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an appeal against the decision refusing an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of old age pension at £4.45 per week plus £2.70 living alone allowance. It was decided by the local pension committee on 5 May 1983, following an investigation of his claim for an increase, that the pensioner's means, consisting of a holding and capital, do not warrant payment at a higher rate.
An appeal against the committee's decision has not so far been received.
713.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant free electricity to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who is living in a caravan supplied by Galway County Council.
There is no trace of the receipt of an application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned either in the Department or in the district ESB office.
An application form was, therefore, issued to him on 3 June 1983 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 matter will be considered further and he will be notified of the outcome.
714.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related social insurance benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who was out of work for several weeks in February.
There is no trace in the records of the Department of a claim of any sort having been received from the person concerned. He has been written to and requested to furnish details of his claim. On receipt of a reply the matter will be dealt with.
715.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure the immediate payment of an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose application was recommended and accepted by all members of the relevant sub-committee and the social welfare officer at their meeting last week.
Payment of pension to the couple concerned was not recommended as the assessment of their means consisting of half the weekly value of capital, profit from petrol pumps and a holding is in excess of the statutory limit.
The local pension committee recently decided that the couple were each entitled to a pension at the maximum rate. The social welfare officer is appealing against this decision and the matter will be referred to an appeals officer for determination as soon as possible. They will be notified of the outcome.
716.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when social welfare benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she did not satisfy the condition of being available for employment as she was not genuinely seeking work. She appealed against this decision but an appeals officer confirmed the decision given in her case. She has not signed the unemployed register since 5 April 1983.
717.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Following the completion of inquiries the person concerned was assessed with nil means and his unemployment assistance claim has been allowed at the maximum rate payable to him £69.55 weekly.
Weekly payments at £69.55 commenced to be paid to him this week and the balance of arrears due, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which was advanced to him, will be paid shortly.
718.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway from £100 to £70 a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at the weekly rate of £75.00, the maximum rate for a married couple with three dependent children. He was also paid pay-related benefit at a rate of £23.96 per week to 16 March 1983, reduced to £22.19 per week from 17 March 1983 following payment of the first phase of 24½ weeks.
From 4 April 1983, the rate of pay-related benefit was reduced to £4.16 per week and his overall weekly payment became £79.16 per week. This was in accordance with regulations which provide that pay-related benefit is restricted to the amount which, when added to the flat-rate disability benefit, limits the total amount of benefit payable to 80 per cent of the person's reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant tax year. A letter explaining the variation in payment was issued to the person concerned at the time of the change.
719.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin although medical certificates have been submitted weekly since May 5.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit for a period of six weeks from 6 May 1983 to 16 June 1983 following his failure to attend for examination by a medical referee. He has since submitted medical evidence that he was unable to attend for examination on the date specified and the disallowance has been waived.
All benefit payable to 26 May 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued to the claimant.
720.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was awarded an invalidity pension from 24 February 1983 instead of disability benefit. The pension book, payable from 24 February 1983, was issued to the designated post office of payment on 28 January 1983.
If the person concerned has not received his pension book he should notify my Department and a replacement book will be issued.
721.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 27 January 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She submitted a final medical certificate to the effect that she was fit to resume work on 11 February 1983.
An appeal form was issued to the claimant on 3 March 1983 and again on 25 April 1983. The completed form was returned on 10 May 1983 and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination in respect of the period from 27 January 1983 to 10 February 1983. Her entitlement to benefit will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision. She has again claimed benefit from 20 April 1983 and has been paid to 20 May 1983, the date of the latest medical evidence received.
722.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit at the full rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 2 May 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 19 April 1983.
Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident he was paid disability benefit as an interim measure from 3 May 1983, the fourth day of incapacity. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 20 May, the nineteenth day of incapacity.
Following completion of investigations, injury benefit was awarded on 3 June 1983 from the date of the accident at the rate of £86.90 a week including increases in respect of his dependants.
Pay-related benefit is not payable where the flat rate injury benefit exceeds the claimant's reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant tax year. The flat-rate injury benefit £86.90 a week exceeded the reckonable weekly earnings £73.98 with the result that pay-related benefit was not payable.
Cheques amounting to £321.94 were issued on 3 June 1983 in payment of injury benefit over and above the disability and pay-related benefit paid to 21 May 1983 after which he was certified fit to resume work.
723.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
There is no trace of the receipt of an application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned either in the Department or in the district ESB office.
An application form was therefore issued to her on 3 June 1983 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 matter will be considered further and she will be notified of the outcome.
724.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be sanctioned for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed retirement pension in May 1982 having reached the age of 65. He did not qualify for that pension, however, as he failed to satisfy the condition which requires him to have at least 156 contributions paid in respect of his employment since his entry into insurance. He was informed accordingly in September 1982. There is no record of a claim for old age pension, contributory or non-contributory, having been received from him since then. As he reached 66 years on 30 March this year, he should forward a claim as quickly as possible.
He would not qualify for a contributory pension for the same reason that his retirement pension claim was unsuccessful. In the circumstances his claim should be for a non-contributory old age pension and he may obtain the appropriate application form at his local post office.
725.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider paying an increase in pension in respect of a prescribed relative to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, where the application has been made and rejected.
The regulations provide that a recipient of prescribed relative allowance must, apart from the prescribed relative, be living alone or only with children under 18 or persons aged 18 or over who are mentally or physically incapacitated.
The person concerned has claimed prescribed relative allowance, indicating in support of her claim that one person only, a son of hers, is ordinarily resident with her. According to the information available to the Department, however, there are two other sons, also residing with her. Her claim has therefore been refused. She has been informed of this decision and of her right to appeal against it if she is dissatisfied.
726.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been out of work for some time and has no other income.
To qualify for the full rate of unemployment assistance an applicant must be assessed with nil means. The person concerned is receiving unemployment assistance of £1.40 a week being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £25.45 less means £24.05 derived from an intestacy share in his late father's farm and from capital. He has recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
727.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the amount of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is out of work for the past six months following an accident.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 5 January 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 21 December 1982. Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis from 25 December 1982, the fourth day of incapacity. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 5 January 1983, the thirteenth day of incapacity.
Following completion of investigations injury benefit was awarded from the date of the accident at the rate of £93.85 a week including increases in respect of his dependants. Pay-related benefit is not payable where the flat rate injury benefit is greater than the claimant's reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant tax year. The relevant weekly earnings amounted to £85.56 and as a result pay-related benefit was not payable.
Injury benefit at the rate of £93.85 a week has been paid since 26 January 1983 to the date of the latest medical certificate received. A cheque for £187.20 was issued on 2 February 1983 in payment of injury benefit in respect of the period from 21 December 1982 to 25 January 1983 over and above the disability and pay-related benefit paid.
728.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay disability benefit at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 April 1982 and was paid to 23 April 1983 based on his British insurance record in 1980-81, the contribution year governing his claim.
From 25 April 1983 his claim to benefit is governed by his insurance record in the 1981-82 contribution year. According to the Department's records he has not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited on his behalf in that year and so he is not qualified for benefit. Inquiries are, however, being made concerning his employment record in Ireland and Great Britain during the 1981-82 contribution year. When the inquiries are completed his claim for benefit will be reviewed.
729.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a non-contributory old age pension at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as the deed of settlement has been completed.
It was decided by an appeals officer recently that the person concerned is entitled to a pension of £14.45 per week from 6 September 1982. This is the rate appropriate to the assessment of her means, consisting of a half share in a holding concerning which evidence of transfer has not been furnished. In the light of the information furnished by the Deputy in this regard, further inquiries are now being made. When these inquiries are completed the case will be resubmitted to the appeals officer for review and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
730.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 8 April 1983 but his claim was disallowed until 20 April 1983 on the grounds that he left his previous employment voluntarily without good cause. In addition, his entitlement to unemployment benefit from 21 April 1983 could not be determined until inquiries to ascertain what efforts he was making to find employment had been completed.
The investigations in the case were recently completed and his claim was allowed at the maximum rate payable to him £59.65 with effect from 21 April 1983. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
731.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and the present position concerning his pay-related benefit.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 April 1982 and was paid a total of 52 weeks benefit to 23 April 1983 based on his insurance record in the 1980-81 contribution year. From 25 April 1983, his entitlement to disability benefit depended on his 1981-82 insurance record and payment was interrupted while inquiries were being made to establish his entitlement to benefit from that date. When it was ascertained that he was qualified for continued payment of disability benefit on his 1981-82 insurance record, the outstanding benefit payable was issued to him on 3 June 1983. Further payments of benefit are continuing to issue as medical evidence is received.
The claimant was paid pay-related benefit at £25.50 per week to 2 April 1983, reduced to £20.40 per week from 4 April 1983. This was in accordance with regulations which provide that pay-related benefit is restricted to the amount which, when added to the flat-rate disability benefit, limits the total amount of benefit payable to 80 per cent of the person's reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant income tax year. He was advised of this by letter dated 30 March 1983.
732.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the amount of disability benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is correct; and the reason it was reduced recently.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at the weekly rate of £52.15, the maximum rate for a married couple. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 26 February 1982, 13th day of incapacity. Payment continued to 16 May 1983 after which date his entitlement to pay-related benefit was exhausted as he had been paid for the maximum period of 63½ weeks.
733.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will be granted the increase in unemployment assistance to which he is entitled.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance of £9 a week being the maximum rate of £26.25 less means of £17.25 derived from the value of board and lodgings in his father's home. He reported that his father had become unemployed and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for a reinvestigation of his means. His weekly rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
734.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is satisfied that the refusal of an application for a living alone allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway was justified; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is a condition for award of living alone allowance that the claimant must be living entirely alone. According to the information available to the Department the son of the person concerned lives with her for about half of each week. Her application was, therefore, refused. She has been notified of this decision and of her right to appeal against it if she is dissatisfied with it.
735.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for a free telephone rental for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance an applicant must be either living alone or living with other persons who are so permanently incapacitated that they need constant care and attention. The application of the person concerned shows that his wife is living with him. He has accordingly been asked to furnish medical evidence in respect of his wife and when this is received a decision will be made on his claim and he will be advised of the outcome.
736.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit due since 8 March 1983 has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Inquiries were necessary to establish the pay-related benefit entitlement of the person concerned. These inquiries have now been completed and all arrears of pay-related benefit due will be paid to him this week. Further weekly payments of £71.78 including £3.73 pay-related benefit will continue to be made as they become due.
737.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned reached 66 years of age on 26 May 1982 and claimed pension on 3 March 1983. He has been awarded an old age contributory pension at the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 32 contributions, including an allowance in respect of two qualified children. The award was made with effect from 3 December 1982, i.e., three months prior to the date of his claim. His basic pension book, containing orders valid for payment from 6 May 1983, was issued to the designated post office on 30 May 1983 for collection by him and he was notified accordingly. A supplementary book for his two children was sent direct to him on 2 June 1983. The arrears for the period from 3 December 1982 to 5 May 1983 amount to £1,877.95 and are being issued by payable order.
The person concerned was also employed for a period in Great Britain and details of his Irish insurance record have been sent to the Department of Health and Social Security for their consideration of his entitlement to a British retirement pension. That Department will be in touch with him in due course.
738.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
A living alone allowance is payable only to a pensioner who has reached 66 years of age and the person concerned has not yet reached that age. She should, therefore, apply for the allowance in September next when she reaches the qualifying age.
739.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free electricity allowance was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The allowance which applied to the electricity account of the person concerned was terminated with effect from October 1982 as one of her sons who was then resident with her was not a person who came within the excepted categories for satisfying the "living alone" condition of the scheme.
Following her death in January last a son receiving disabled person's maintenance allowance applied for the allowance. His application was rejected on the grounds that he, too, fails to satisfy the living alone condition of the scheme as his brother is residing with him. He was notified accordingly on 3 June 1983.
740.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of social welfare allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
A payable order for arrears of social assistance allowance for the period from 9 December 1982 to 23 February 1983 was sent to the person concerned on 3 June 1983. She has been in receipt of payment at the maximum rate since 24 February, 1983.
741.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who has been signing since February last.
Following the recent completion of inquiries to establish her entitlement to unemployment benefit, the claim of the person concerned has been authorised at the weekly rate of £26.25. All arrears of unemployment benefit due were issued to her last week by way of payment voucher for encashment at her local post office.
742.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for a living alone allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned claimed a living alone allowance in January 1983. When the claim was investigated, however, it was found that she was living with her daughter and family. She indicated that she intended to return to her own home where she would be living alone and a decision on the claim was accordingly deferred. The claim was refused on 10 May 1983 because she was still living with her daughter and family and therefore not living alone. It is open to her to re-apply for this allowance if she is living alone in the future.
743.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The entitlement of the person concerned to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit cannot be determined until he furnishes details of his earnings from 6 April 1982 to the date of the commencement of his unemployment benefit claim. He has been requested on a number of occasions to furnish a form P.45 or a statement from his employer but to date he has not done so. He has again been requested to furnish the necessary documentation and when it is received his entitlement to pay-related benefit will be determined.
744.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he considers that the payment of £3.10 per week to an unemployed school leaver (details supplied) in County Galway who has made every effort to get employment is a realistic allowance, and if he will take immediate steps to have a realistic benefit paid to her and other such young people who are unable to get employment through no fault of their own.
The person named in the question is not receiving unemployment assistance. It is presumed that the person the Deputy has in mind is her sister who is receiving unemployment assistance of £3.50 a week being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in her case of £25.45 less means £21.95 derived from the value of board and lodgings on her father's farm which comprises a holding of 47 acres of good land from which a substantial income is derived.
If the person concerned considers that the amount of means assessed against her is excessive she has the right to appeal and to have her means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
745.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an application for an old age pension (details supplied) in County Galway.
The claim of the person concerned has been investigated and was referred to the local pension committee for decision on 7 June 1983. Payment of pension at the rate of £30.45 from 3 June 1983, when she reached age 66 years, has been recommended. Her husband is in receipt of pension at the rate of £45.75 a week which includes an allowance of £15.30 in respect of her. When his pension book is returned to the Department, books at the rate of £30.45 a week will be issued to each of them. Payment in her case will be on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision on her claim.
746.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo and when payment will be made.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 15 May 1982. Payment of benefit was disallowed for a period of six weeks from 30 June 1982 to 10 August 1982 as she failed, without good cause, to attend for a medical referee examination. Following review payment was restored on 11 August 1982. However, the claimant was examined by a medical referee on 12 August 1982 and he expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Payment of benefit was therefore again disallowed from 12 August 1982. She appealed against the decision to disallow payment of benefit and in this connection she was examined by a different medical referee on 14 October 1982 who also considered that she was capable of work.
The decision to disallow payment of benefit from 12 August 1982 was upheld by the appeals officer following an oral hearing of her case on 2 December 1982. She submitted a final medical certificate on 15 December 1982.
747.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 August 1982 and has been paid to 28 May 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as the weekly flat rate disability benefit payable in his case exceeds his average reckonable weekly earnings in 1980-81, the income tax year relevant to his claim.
748.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the correct rate of unemployment benefit is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and the other options open to her to obtain welfare benefit.
The person concerned is a married woman living separately from her husband. She does not fulfil the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit. She claimed unemployment assistance and her case was referred to a social welfare officer to ascertain whether she is being wholly or mainly maintained by her husband and for investigation of her means. Her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined when the inquiries are completed.