asked the Minister for Social Welfare the nature of the welfare payments being made to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if the amount of the payment will be re-examined having regard to the fact that he is married with four dependent children.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
466.
The person concerned has five qualified children and his claim to unemployment benefit of 14 February 1983 was authorised at the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £88.90 per week. His claim was incorrectly re-rated from 30 June 1983 and as a result he is entitled to arrears of £140.19 and arrangements have been made to include this sum with this week's payment. Further weekly payments of £84.35 will continue as they fall due. This is the rate appropriate in his case where he has exhausted 156 days benefit and does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 280 paid contributions over the seven contribution years preceding the date of his claim.
467.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be authorised for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned has been paid unemployment benefit of £90.15 per week with effect from 26 September 1983. Following inquiries his pay-related benefit entitlement has been calculated at £22.64 per week. Arrangements have been made to issue arrears by payable order. Combined weekly payments of flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit of £112.79 will continue as they fall due.
468.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision on an appeal for unemployment assistance will be made for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 as the application was made in March 1983.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £8.90 being the maximum amount appropriate in his case less weekly means of £20 derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but an appeals officer upheld the decision in his case. He was notified accordingly on 2 June 1983.
469.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision on an application for a deserted wife's allowance will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 as she first applied in March 1983.
Two of the qualifying conditions for receipt of deserted wife's allowance-benefit are that a claimant's husband must have left her of his own volition and that the claimant must have made and must continue to make reasonable efforts within the means available to her to prevail on her husband to support and maintain her.
Following investigation of the claim of the person concerned to deserted wife's allowance-benefit by a local officer of the Department, the deciding officer held that these conditions were not satisfied in her case and he disallowed the claim. The claimant has appealed against the decision and the case has been submitted to an appeals officer for determination. She will be notified of the outcome as soon as the appeals officer gives his decision.
470.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 September 1983 but is not entitled to payment as she has not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1981-82, the contribution year governing her claim. Credited contributions are being awarded on the basis of medical evidence received.
471.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 20 December 1982. According to the Department's records she has insufficient contributions to satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit. However, protracted extensive inquiries have been made to ascertain details of her employment history to enable her full contribution record to be established. These inquiries are expected to be completed shortly when her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of her record.
472.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has been reduced.
The person concerned was receiving unemployment assistance of £58.50 on the basis of weekly means of £5.25. Following a review of his means he was assessed with weekly means of £27.50 derived from his wife's earnings, with effect from 20 July 1983. Unemployment assistance was re-authorised at the weekly rate of £36.25 (£63.75 less means £27.50) increased to £39.40 (£66.90 less means £27.50) from 5 October 1983. He has appealed against the assessment of means assessed against him and his case is being referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
473.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance or farmer's dole will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare as he is married with two dependent children and his herd is locked up, due to an outbreak of brucellosis.
Following the completion of inquiries to establish that the person concerned continued to be eligible for unemployment assistance payment was resumed and all arrears due from 5 October 1983 were paid on 29 November 1983. The weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to him is £36.15 being the maximum rate £66.90 less means £30.75 derived from the profit of his land.
474.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 13 September 1983 was authorised at the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £34.80. All arrears due were paid to him last week. Weekly payments of £34.80 will continue to be made as they become due.
475.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for a full investigation to be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who was refused a non-contributory old age pension.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 7 November 1983 that the person concerned is not entitled to a non-contributory old age pension as he does not fulfil the statutory conditions as to means. His means, consisting of capital, the disposal of a large portion of which is not acceptable for old age pension purposes, and the value of the letting of land, exceed the statutory limit.
476.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The claim of the person concerned to widow's non-contributory pension following the death of her husband in June 1981 was refused because her means, derived from a farm and capital and assessed at £79.52 per week, exceeded the then statutory limit of £27 per week for receipt of such pension by a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children. The current limit is £40 per week.
She appealed against this decision and her claim was referred to the local social welfare officer for an up-to-date report on her circumstances. This report has now been completed, following the recent receipt of a deed from the claimant's solicitor transferring part of her land to one of her sons, and the deed has been forwarded to the appeals officer as evidence in support of her appeal. When he gives his decision the widow will be notified of the outcome without delay.
477.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 28 October 1983 has been authorised at the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £90.15. Payment will commence this week and any arrears due, less supplementary welfare allowance he received, will be paid to him shortly. Weekly payments of £90.15 will continue to be made as they become due.
478.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him £38.95 weekly, derived from the profit from land and from capital, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements have been made to have his case determined by an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
479.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 28 November 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was advised of the result of the examination and of his right to appeal against the disallowance on 17th November 1983 but has not done so to date. In order for the claimant's appeal to proceed he should submit medical evidence of incapacity for work subsequent to the date of disallowance of benefit.
480.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been disallowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare as he is married and has a large family.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him, derived from the profits from land, exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but an appeals officer upheld the decision in his case.
481.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was disallowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 27 September 1983 at the weekly rate of £21.20 being the maximum weekly amount payable in his case less notional means of £5. Following re-investigation of his means on a factual basis, his weekly means derived from land and capital were assessed at £32.85 and as this amount exceeded the weekly rate appropriate in his case his claim was disallowed with effect from 28 September 1983. It is open to him to appeal against the disallowance of his claim. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
482.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal on the repayment of an over-payment of unemployment assistance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance since 1979 at the weekly rate of £66.85 on the basis of notional means of £3.50. During the factual assessment of his means in May last it came to light that he has holdings which he had not previously disclosed and his means were accordingly revised to £4.80 from 1 January 1979, £12.05 from 28 March 1979 and £30.85 from 1 June 1983. As a result an over-payment of unemployment assistance amounting to £1,894.11 was assessed against him and this is being recovered by the deduction of £10 a week from his current entitlement. He is at present in receipt of £52.30 a week, being the maximum weekly amount of £93.15 appropriate in his case less £30.85 means less £10 in respect of the recovery of the over-payment.
He has appealed against the decision to increase his means and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
483.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 19 October 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an occupational accident in July 1980. Injury benefit is confined to a period of 26 weeks from the date of the accident. The date from which injury benefit was claimed was outside the maximum injury benefit period from July 1980 to January 1981 and injury benefit, therefore, was not payable in respect of the period from 19 October 1983. Disability benefit was allowed from 22 October 1983, the fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All benefit payable to 23 November 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has issued.
484.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the benefit of his wife's earnings exceeded the statutory limit with effect from 25 October 1983. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries. When these are completed 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.
485.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until inquiries about his means were completed. These were recently completed and his means were assessed at £44.30 weekly derived from self-employment and benefit from his wife's earnings. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £4.05 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £48.35 less £44.30 and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
486.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a low rate of pay-related benefit is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is in receipt of £34.80 per week which is the maximum flat-rate unemployment benefit payable to a single man. He is also in receipt of pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £6.60 which is the rate appropriate to his earnings of £3,120 during the governing income tax period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. Combined payments of flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit amounting to £41.40 weekly continue to be made to him as they become due.
487.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned made a claim to unemployment benefit on 9 September 1983 and was receiving weekly payments of £92.53 weekly, made up of £74.85 together with pay-related benefit of £17.68 to 3 November 1983. All arrears of pay-related benefit were paid on 14 October 1983. Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the sum of weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of an applicant's net average weekly earnings. The 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned was £96.75 and as the total of the flat-rate benefit and pay-related benefit entitlement of £92.55 was less than this amount his weekly payments were not affected initially. However, he is in receipt of income tax refunds of £19.30 weekly since 4 November 1983 and his rate of pay-related benefit has to be adjusted to take account of these refunds. He is accordingly entitled to a combined weekly payment of £77.45 from 4 November 1983 made up of £74.85 flat-rate benefit and £2.60 pay-related benefit.
488.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance of £18.55 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £29.40 less means £10.85 derived from capital. He has applied for a review of his means and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report. Weekly payments of £18.55 will continue to be made as they become due.
489.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 21 February 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that his means of £28.85 derived from self-employment as a grave digger exceeded the rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case. He appealed against the disallowance and the appeals officer determined his means at £18 a week. Unemployment assistance was authorised at £7.45 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £25.45 less means £18. All arrears due were paid to him in June 1983. Weekly payments increased to £10 (£28 less means £18) from 29 June 1983 and these continue to be made as they become due.
490.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position in regard to an increase in small farmer's assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 22 November 1983 at the weekly rate of £56.20 being the maximum amount of £69.40 appropriate in his case less notional means of £13.20. Following investigation of his means on a factual basis, his means were assessed from 23 November 1983 at £23.20 weekly derived from self-employment, capital and profit from land. He is accordingly entitled to a weekly payment from 23 November 1983 of £74.50 being the maximum amount of £97.70 payable in his case less means of £23.20. He is in receipt of that payment at present.
491.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as she has been signing for 29 weeks.
The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 2 June 1983, was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. An appeal form was issued to her on request on 15 November 1983. When she completes and returns the form her appeal will be referred to an appeals officer for decision.
492.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as he became unemployed in February 1983 and has remained unemployed for 16 weeks without any benefit.
The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 14 March 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that his annual means derived from self-employment as a builder exceeded the statutory limit in his case of £3.380. He ceased to sign the unemployed register in July 1983.
If there has been a change in his means it is open to him to re-apply for unemployment assistance and his means will be reinvestigated. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the means assessed against him.
493.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a non-contributory Irish widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
One of the conditions for the receipt of non-contributory widow's pension by a widow under 66 years of age with no dependants is that her means do not exceed £40 per week. The means of the person concerned from 21 November 1983, derived from a British retirement pension of Stg. £34.05 per week, amount to Irl. £42.65 per week. Prior to 21 November 1983 her British pension was at the rate of Stg. £32.85 per week which amounted to Irl. £40.81 per week. Because of her means she does not therefore, satisfy the statutory condition for receipt of an Irish non-contributory pension.
Up to September 1981 the person concerned had been receiving an Irish non-contributory pension at a reduced rate. When she reached 60 years of age, however, she qualified for British retirement pension at a higher rate and she no longer satisfied the statutory condition as to means for receipt of an Irish pension. The latter pension was accordingly terminated.
494.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a new children's allowance book will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
A report of the loss of her children's allowance book was received from the person concerned on the 4 November 1983. As sufficient information was not furnished in this report it was necessary to write to her seeking further information. Her reply was recieved on the 28 November and a replacement allowance book was issued on the 1 December 1983.
495.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed old age pension on 15 September 1983 but subsequently withdrew her application. Her birth certificate showed that she will not reach age 66 until 15 April 1984. Under the relevant regulations, old age pension may be claimed up to four months in advance of the date on which the applicant reaches age 66. It is open, therefore, to the person concerned to re-apply for pension on or after 15 December 1983.
496.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrears of a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
A payable order in respect of arrears of deserted wife's allowance, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance already paid by the SouthEastern Health Board, was sent to the person concerned on 23 November 1983.
497.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 25 January 1977 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. In this connection arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 22 December 1983. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
498.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 12 September 1983 and was written to on 27 September 1983 to establish if she satisfied the condition of being available for employment. A reply has not yet been received from her and she has now been written to again. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be decided on receipt of her reply.
499.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath as she has submitted 31 medical certificates to his Department.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 April 1983 but is not entitled to payment as she has not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1981/82, the contribution year governing her claim. According to the records in the Department she has only a total of seven credit contributions in 1981/82.
From 2 January 1984 her claim will be governed by the 1982/83 contribution year. However, according to the records of the Department she has no contributions paid or credited in 1982/83. She will not therefore qualify for benefit during 1984 on that record.
500.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
A claim for contributory old age pension was received from the person concerned on 25 July 1983. One of the qualifying conditions for receipt of contributory old age pension under the Social Welfare Acts requires a claimant to have a yearly average of at least 20 reckonable contributions over the period from the beginning of the 1953 contribution year or from the beginning of the year in which he entered into insurance, whichever is the later, to the end of the last complete contribution year before he reached pension age. The person concerned does not satisfy the condition as the Department's records show that he entered into insurance in 1954 and that he had a total of 467 such contributions in the required period from 4 January 1954 to 5 April 1983. This is equal to a yearly average of only 16.
He also has a record of British employment and in accordance with EEC Regulations on Social Security his entitlement to a pro-rata pension under EEC Regulations was also examined. However, he had only 65 British contributions in the 1953 and 1954 contribution years, giving him a combined total of 532 from 5 January 1953 to 5 April 1983. This is equal to a yearly average of only 17 and therefore he does not qualify for a pro rata pension from this Department under EEC Regulations.
The relevant details have been forwarded to the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for examination of his entitlement to a British retirement pension. That Department will reply direct to him.
He applied for a non-contributory old age pension on 2 March 1983 and this was awarded from 17 April 1983 at a rate appropriate to his means which were assessed at £34.24 per week. The rate at present being paid to him is £8.60 per week.
501.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath as he has been in receipt of unemployment benefit since 19 September 1983.
Under the regulations, in the case of wholly unemployed persons the sum of flat-rate unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and any income tax refund paid may not exceed 85 per cent of the claimant's average net weekly earnings. The 85 per cent limit in the case of the person concerned is £88.53. As his weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit is £82.50 his weekly entitlement to pay-related benefit is limited to £6.03, which he is receiving.
All arrears of pay-related benefit due were paid to him on 9 November 1983, weekly payments of £88.53, which includes £6.03 pay-related benefit, will continue to be paid as they become due.
502.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he has been signing for some time.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 18 October 1983 but he is not qualified for payment as he does not satisfy the contribution conditions in the governing contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982.
He is signing for credited contributions at present and, subject to remaining unemployed, he will qualify for payment of unemployment benefit when the new benefit year commences on 2 January 1984.
503.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and when a decision will be made on his appeal for disability benefit which he lodged some time ago.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 21 April 1983 to 23 May 1983 but as he did not fulfil the contribution conditions his claim was disallowed. He claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. He would not co-operate in the investigation and no further action could be taken in the case.
He again claimed unemployment assistance from 3 August 1983 to 6 September 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer to afford him a further opportunity to reveal details of his means. Inquiries are still being made in the matter but when the investigations are completed his means will be assessed in the light of the report and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
According to the Department's records he has not claimed disability benefit since 1980.
504.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as she has been signing for the past 26 weeks.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 10 June 1983. Following the completion of protracted inquiries into her means she has recently been assessed with weekly means of £23.65 derived from the value of board and lodgings on her parents' holding. She is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £1.80 from 10 June 1983 increased to £4.35 from 29 June 1983, being the maximum amounts payable in her case on those dates less means of £23.65.
All arrears, less supplementary welfare allowance due for refund to her local health board, were paid to her last week. Further weekly payments will be paid to her as they become due.
505.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford for certificates in respect of 13 July 1983 and 1 August 1983 which were submitted late.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 13 July 1983 to 23 July 1983. He was certified fit to resume work on 24 July 1983 but he did not submit a claim for benefit until 16 August 1983.
The regulations provide that a person who fails to give notice of incapacity or to submit medical evidence within seven days of the commencement of incapacity is disqualified from receiving disability benefit in respect of any period more than seven days before the date on which such notice or medical evidence is received unless there is good cause for the delay. A satisfactory explanation for failure to submit the claim in time was not received and it was accordingly disallowed.
506.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
A claim for old age contributory pension was received from the person concerned on 13 October 1983.
He has been awarded the pension at the maximum personal rate of £40.25 per week with effect from 8 April 1983 increased to £45.10 from 1 July 1983. He has also been awarded a living alone allowance from the same date.
A pension book and a supplementary book for the living alone allowance, each containing orders valid for payment from 25 November 1983, were issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he was notified accordingly.
Arrears of pension for the period 8 April 1983 to 24 November 1983, less the amount of disability benefit paid to him in that period, will be issued to him by payable order within the next few days.
507.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal against a reduction in small farmer's unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Cavan.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 5 July 1983 at the weekly rate of £23.50 being the maximum weekly payment appropriate in his case of £42.00 less notional means of £18.50. Following a factual review of his case, his means were assessed at £52.50 weekly derived from the benefit from his wife's earnings, from capital and from land. He is accordingly entitled to £3.05 weekly from 6 July 1983 increased to £5.80 from 5 October 1983 being the maximum rates appropriate in his case from those dates less means of £52.50.
He appealed in July last against the revised assessment of his means but there was delay in dealing with the case as the papers were mislaid. They have now been traced and, in view of the contentions made by him in his appeal, they have been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When the inquiries are completed, the 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.
508.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 November 1982 and was paid to 10 November 1983. Payment was suspended temporarily after that date pending a review of his insurance record.
All benefit has now been paid to 16 November 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
509.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for unemployment benefit made by a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 4 July 1983 and following completion of inquiries he was assessed with weekly means of £4.80 derived from self-employment. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £23.20 being the maximum amount of £28.00 appropriate in his case less means of £4.80. All arrears of unemployment assistance have been paid to him. Further weekly payments will be made as they fall due.
510.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim as it is now due for six months.
The entitlement to pay-related benefit of the person concerned with his flat-rate unemployment benefit could not be determined until he furnished full details of his recent earnings to enable the 85 per cent limit applicable to him to be calculated.
He is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue him a paying order for encashment at his local post office paying all arrears of pay-related benefit due this week.
Further combined weekly payments at £37.95, representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £28.90 and pay-related benefit £9.05, will be made as they become due.
511.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the reduction in unemployment benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 28 April 1983 was authorised at £52.15 weekly increased to £57.35 from 30 June 1983, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case. The weekly rate was reduced to the special rate of £49.75 from 31 October 1983 when he had received the benefit for 156 days and it had not been established that he satisfied the condition of having 280 employment contributions in the seven years prior to the date of his claim. Following inquiries it was established recently that he had satisfied this condition and the weekly rate of £57.35 was restored from 31 October 1983. All arrears due have been paid to him. Weekly payments of £79.38 (including £22.03 pay-related benefit) continue to be made as they become due.
512.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for disability benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 30 July 1983, after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He has appealed against the disallowance of benefit and in this connection he will be examined on 13 December 1983 by a different medical referee. His claim for benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
513.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 12 July 1983 and following inquiries into his means, he was assessed with nil means. Unemployment assistance has been authorised at £35.60 a week being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case. Payment will be made this week and any arrears due, less supplementary welfare allowance he received, will be paid to him shortly.
Weekly payments of £35.60 will continue to be made as they become due.
514.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 12 November 1983 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the maximum rate (£38.60) from 25 October 1983. The social welfare officer has appealed against this decision and the matter is being referred to an appeals officer for determination. The claimant will be notified of the outcome.
Pension at the rate of £18.60 a week is at present in payment pending the appeals officer's decision. This is the rate appropriate to the assessment of the claimant's means, consisting of half the weekly value of her husband's earnings.
515.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned submitted a claim for disability benefit on 11 November 1983 in respect of illness from 29 August 1983. Payment was disallowed from 1 September 1983, fourth day of incapacity to 4 November 1983 as he failed to give notice of incapacity within the prescribed time (within seven days from the day on which he became incapable of work). It has been decided, having regard to the circumstances of his case, to waive the disallowance period. Payment of all benefit due from 1 September 1983 to 1 December 1983 was issued to the claimant on 2 December 1983.
516.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of a children's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Children's allowance in respect of the child in question was awarded with effect from 1 July 1983, the month following receipt of her claim and the appropriate allowance book was issued on 5 August 1983.
The claimant sought to have the allowance paid from 1 March 1983, the month following the birth of her child, and inquiries were undertaken to establish if the circumstances justified retrospective payment. In the light of the information received payment was authorised from 1 March 1983 and a payable order for the arrears due will be issued shortly.
517.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying pay-related and disability benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that a certificate issued from his Department stating that he is entitled to pay-related benefit of £21.86 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 25 November 1983, date of latest medical certificate received.
Due to an administrative error there was a delay in issuing disability benefit and pay-related benefit from 9 August 1983 to 25 September 1983. The error has been rectified and an adjusting cheque paying arrears of benefit due has been issued to the claimant. He is in receipt of disability benefit at £34.80 per week. He is also being paid pay-related benefit at £21.86 per week.
518.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when dental benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned last claimed dental benefit on 2 April 1982 and her claim was approved on 6 April 1982. No claim has been received from her recently and the number quoted by the Deputy is not a dental benefit claim number.
By virtue of the employment contributions paid on her behalf to date she is qualified for dental benefit at present. If she now wishes to claim benefit in respect of further treatment she should arrange with her dentist to have the appropriate application form submitted for approval.
519.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a non-contributory old age pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension from 4 May 1983 at the weekly rate of £32.45, increased to £36.60 from 1 July 1983. This is the rate to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of half the weekly value of capital.
A pension book at the appropriate rate has been issued to the pensioner and the arrears due will be issued shortly.
520.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit was paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in the past 12 months.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 31 March 1983 was authorised at the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £52.15, increased to £57.35 from 30 June 1983. Weekly payments of £63.00 including £5.65 pay-related benefit continue to be made as they become due.
521.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who has been submitting certificates since 29 August 1983.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 September 1983 but did not qualify initially for payment as according to the records of the Department he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1981-82, the contribution year governing his claim. He indicated, however, that he was employed in Great Britain during that year and his British insurance record was requested.
This record has now been received and shows that he qualified for payment. All benefit due for the period 5 September 1983, fourth day of incapacity to 21 November 1983, date of the latest medical certificate less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced has been issued to him.