asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and the reason for the delay in payment.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
402.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 9 March 1983 on the grounds that he failed to disclose all his means to the Social Welfare officer who investigated his claim. He appealed against the disallowance but an appeals officer upheld the decision in his case.
He reapplied for unemployment assistance on 15 July 1983 and his case was again referred to a Social Welfare officer for investigation. The inquiries in his case are still being made but when they are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
403.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
It has been decided by the local Pension Committee that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension of £26.45 a week from 4 February 1983 and £30.60 a week from 1 July 1983. These are the rates appropriate to the latest assessment of the pensioner's means comprising the weekly value of capital and the capital value of the house in which she formerly resided. Payment of all pension due in accordance with the committee's decision has been made.
An appeal against the committee's decision has been referred to an appeals officer who has requested further information before giving his decision. When this information is received the matter will again be referred to the appeals officer and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
404.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned was granted a living alone allowance with effect from 29 July 1983. The allowance books payable from that date at the appropriate rate of £2.00 a week issued on 6 October 1983.
405.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying £36 which is due in respect of the provision of dentures to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
On 1 February 1982 the person concerned claimed dental benefit in respect of treatment which included the supply of a full upper denture. Under the Dental Benefit Scheme dentures are provided to qualified insured persons at a fixed cost, part of which is paid by the Department. The claimant is liable for the payment of the balance direct to the dentist.
On 25 February 1982 the treatment was approved and the claimant was informed that his portion of the cost was £36.25. The dentist has confirmed that this amount was paid to him by the person concerned.
The person concerned may, however, be eligible for some assistance from his local health board towards his portion of the cost of the denture and the details of the case have been passed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Mid-Western Health Board for consideration.
406.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the free electricity allowance is no longer being granted to certain categories of old age pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The conditions which must be satisfied for entitlement to free electricity allowance are that the person concerned is (a) a registered consumer of electricity and (b) is living alone or with the following classes of persons only (i) a dependent wife, (ii) an invalid husband or other invalided person who normally resides with the pensioner, (iii) another pensioner or other pensioners eligible for the allowance, (iv) dependent children under 18 years or over that age and attending school full-time, (v) where the pensioner is an invalid or semi-invalid or so infirm due to age as to require constant care and attention, one other person who resides with him or her for the purpose of providing that care and attention.
Any old age pensioner who satisfies these conditions is entitled to a free electricity allowance to relieve him of the liability for the costs of electricity which he would otherwise incur. The allowance consists of relief from the normal standing charge on the ESB domestic consumer tariff and up to 200 units of electricity free of charge each two months in summer and 300 units free of charge each two months in winter.
407.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a children's allowance has not been paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry even though she is only 16 years of age and still attending school.
Allowance books covering payments due in respect of the child in question from June 1983 to June 1984 inclusive were issued to the claimant's home address on 24 June 1983. The claimant should now be in receipt of £45.00 per month in respect of four qualified children.
In view of the Deputy's question the person concerned is being contacted with a view to ascertaining what allowance books he holds. When a reply is received any necessary action will be taken without delay.
408.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
An applicant for unemployment benefit who is a landholder but does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 contributions paid in a three-year period is not entitled to unemployment benefit if the income from his holding exceeds £2.00 daily.
The person concerned is a landholder who does not satisfy the 78 contributions condition. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of the income of his holding and inquiries are still being made in the matter.
His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the investigation.
409.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant must be fully available for work. When the person concerned claimed unemployment benefit she stated that she was only available for evening work and consequently her claim was disallowed.
She appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of her case on 8 September 1983. The appeals officer upheld the disallowance.