asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon is eligible under his social insurance contributions for dental services including the provision of dentures.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
240.
In order to qualify for dental benefit claimants must satisfy certain statutory contribution conditions one of which requires persons over 21 years of age to have not less than 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year. The person concerned claimed dental benefit on 30 May 1983 and again on 19 September 1983.
The governing contribution year for claims in respect of treatment in 1983 is 1981-82 (6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982). According to the records of the Department the person concerned had only 21 weeks of insurable employment in that period and therefore his claims could not be approved. Both the claimant and his dentist were notified of the position on 16 June 1983 and again on 3 October 1983.
The governing contribution year will change to 1982-83 (6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983) with effect from 2 January 1984. According to the records of the Department the claimant had 52 weeks of insurable employment in that year. He will, therefore, be entitled to benefit, including the relevant contribution in the case of dentures, in respect of any dental treatment obtained on and after 2 January 1984.
241.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of an appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon on the reduction in his unemployment benefit.
The person concerned is a landholder and an applicant for unemployment benefit from 6 October 1983. He did not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 paid contributions in a 3-year period and his case was referred to a social welfare officer to investigate his income from his holding. His income was subsequently assessed as being in excess of £2.00 a day and accordingly his unemployment benefit claim was disallowed.
He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made for an oral hearing of his case by an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
242.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of pension at the weekly rate of £32.60 plus £3.00 living alone allowance from 15 August 1983 has been recommended by the social welfare officer. This is the rate of pension appropriate to the assessment of his means consisting of the weekly value of a holding and capital.
Pension books payable from 25 November 1983 have been issued to the pensioner and the arrears due in respect of the period 15 August 1983-18 November 1983 are being issued separately.
243.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated cost in 1984 of each improvement to bring women's social security into line with the EEC Directive of December 1978 as outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 423 of Wednesday, 2 November 1983.
The cost during 1984 of granting equal treatment to men and women in matters of social security in accordance with the EEC Directive would depend on the nature of the proposals for granting equality and the date in 1984 from which they were introduced.
In relation to personal rates of benefit the matter is relatively straightforward and the cost of giving married women the same entitlements as other categories would be in the region of £15 million in a full year.
In relation to increases in respect of dependants, however, the issue is more complex and there are a number of possibilities for dealing with the problem. Proposals in the matter are at present before the Government.
244.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 is entitled to a death grant in respect of his late mother on the basis of his social insurance contributions.
Death grant is payable only if the contribution conditions are satisfied on the insurance record of either the deceased or the spouse of the deceased. The contribution conditions are not satisfied in respect of either of the late parents of the person concerned and a death grant is not accordingly payable in this case.
245.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned was awarded disability benefit from 22 October 1983, the fourth day of certified incapacity, and has been paid benefit at the rate of £30.60 a week to the date of the latest medical certificate received.
It was indicated in a completed claim form received on 28 October that the incapacity resulted from an injury sustained at work. Further inquiries regarding details of the injury are being made in order to determine whether occupational injury benefit is payable in respect of the claim. A decision will be made as soon as possible.
246.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as she applied in June 1983.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit for herself and five children with effect from 16 June 1983 at the maximum weekly rate of £88.60, increased to £99.30 from 30 June 1983.
An order book payable from 17 November 1983 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
Arrears for the period from 16 June to 16 November 1983, less deductions in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during that time, will be sent direct to the claimant by payable order inside the next few days.
247.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry does not qualify for unemployment assistance.
The person concerned who is an applicant for unemployment assistance failed to attend an interview arranged by AnCO. He stated by way of explanation of his non-attendance that he was required to work on his parents' farm.
Following inquiries in the matter his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment.
If he is dissatisfied with the decision in his case it is open to him to appeal. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
248.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a pension at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned is in receipt of old age pension at the maximum rate since 17 March 1977. The rate at present is £38.60 per week plus £19.40 adult dependant allowance.
249.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 as she has been unemployed but available for work since February 1983.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to be available for work an applicant must be making genuine efforts to find employment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 7 February 1983 to 18 February 1983 after which she ceased to sign as unemployed. Following the completion of inquiries her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was making no effort to obtain employment and accordingly she was not available for work.
250.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 9 December 1982 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and in this connection he was examined on 8 March 1983 by a different medical referee who also decided that he was capable of work. His case was then referred to an appeals officer who upheld the decision to disallow payment of benefit from 9 December 1982.
Following the receipt of new medical evidence the appeals officer reviewed the case on 25 October 1983 and revised his earlier decision.
While the claimant's case was under review however he was in receipt of unemployment assistance. Accordingly a cheque for the arrears of disability benefit payable to 15 March 1983, when he was certified fit for work by his own doctor, less the amount of unemployment assistance already paid for the period, was issued on 15 November 1983.
251.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from profits from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit with effect from 1 June 1983.
However he applied for a re-investigation of his means and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. When the inquiries have been completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.