asked the Minister for Social Welfare when national health benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as she has submitted five certificates dating from 21 September to 22 October 1983.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
524.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit due to 22 October 1983 in accordance with medical certificates received. There was a delay initially in issuing payment due to inquiries which were necessary to establish her correct RSI number.
525.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason occupational injury benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he is at present on disability benefit.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 2 February 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 31 January 1983.
Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident he was awarded disability benefit from 4 February 1983, the fourth day of incapacity. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 15 February 1983, the 13th day of incapacity.
An inquiry was issued to his employers on 7 February 1983 for confirmation of details of the accident. Despite reminders issued there was a delay in obtaining confirmation. Injury benefit has now been awarded from the date of the accident and payment has been made in respect of injury benefit over and above the disability benefit already paid.
Injury benefit is payable for a maximum period of 26 weeks from the date of the occupational accident. Disability benefit accordingly has been paid in respect of the period since 1 August 1983.
526.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has been in receipt of unemployment benefit at Trim employment exchange since 14 October 1983.
The person concerned who claimed unemployment benefit from 17 October 1983 to 29 October 1983 did not qualify for pay-related benefit which is not payable until 18 days of unemployment has elapsed.
527.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 October 1983. He was not qualified for benefit at the commencement of his claim as according to the Department's records he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1981-82, the contribution year governing his claim. He was requested to submit a statement from his employer concerning his employment record in 1981-82 and this information was received in the Department on 30 November 1983. All benefit due to him to 25 November 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has since been issued.
528.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in sending a duplicate children's allowance book to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as the original was lost over a month ago and her family are in poor circumstances.
A report of the loss of her children's allowance book was received from the person concerned on 14 November 1983. As sufficient information was not furnished in this report it was necessary to write to her seeking further information. Her reply was received on 30 November and a replacement allowance book issued on 1 December.
529.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as there was an oral hearing recently.
Following an oral hearing of the appeal at which the person concerned attended and gave evidence on his own behalf an appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means at £33.65 weekly derived from the profit from his land. The person concerned was notified of the decision.
Weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £24.65 being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him, £58.30 less £33.65, continue to be made to him as they become due.
530.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that the only income in the household is his father's old age pension.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £27.30 a week, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £28 less means 70p until 23 August 1983. Following reinvestigation of his means he was assessed with weekly means of £11.20 derived mainly from the value of board and lodgings on his father's farm with effect from 24 August 1983. Unemployment assistance was reauthorised at £18.20 a week (£29.40 less means £11.20). If he is dissatisfied with the decision he may appeal against it. A form for this purpose is available from his local office. In the meantime weekly payments of £18.20 will continue to be made as they become due.
531.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying arrears of a children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Applications for continuation of children's allowance in respect of the children in question were received on 21 October 1983 and 1 November 1983. The applications have been approved and the appropriate allowance books were issued on 2 December 1983.
A payable order for the arrears due will be issued shortly.
532.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in restoring unemployment assistance at the maximum rate, on appeal, to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £58.75 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £62.65 less notionally assessed means of £3.90. Following factual assessment of his case he was assessed with weekly means of £67.50 from 10 August 1983 derived from land. He appealed against the decision and following further inquiries into his means a deciding officer revised his means to £48.25 a week. It is open to the person concerned to appeal against the revised means if he is dissatisfied with the assessment.
All arrears due will be paid to him this week and weekly payments of £32.05 (£80.30 less means £48.25) will continue to be made as they become due.
533.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying arrears of an unmarried mother's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
A payable order in respect of the arrears of social assistance allowance for the period from 14 July 1983 to 19 October 1983, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the Southern Health Board during that time, was sent to the person concerned on 2 December 1983.
The allowance was awarded to her on 13 October 1983, and before the arrears could be issued it was necessary to establish the precise amount paid by the board.
534.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when dental benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
One of the qualifying conditions for the receipt of dental benefit requires persons over 23 years of age to have had not less than 156 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions were paid before the date of commencement of the treatment. The person concerned claimed dental benefit on 4 May 1983. According to the records of the Department she had a total of 126 weeks of insurable employment up to 5 April 1983. Her claim could not, therefore, be approved. Both the claimant and her dentist were notified of the position on 13 July 1983.
The position now is that on completion of 30 weeks of insurable employment after 5 April 1983, i.e. giving a total of 156 contributions paid, she will qualify for benefit in respect of any treatment carried out after the date the necessary 156 contributions have been paid. She was informed of this on 10 October 1983 following receipt of representations from the Deputy.
535.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
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 will be made in this matter if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
536.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following review of his case, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 2 November 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from land exceed the statutory limit. He has appealed against the disallowance and his case has been 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.
537.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £16.95 a week until 14 September 1983. Following a review of his case his weekly means were increased to £30.75 derived from an intestacy shared interest in land with effect from 15 September 1983. As his means exceeded the rate of payment of unemployment assistance in his case payment was disallowed. He has appealed against the decision and his case is being 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.
538.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 5 July 1983 at the weekly rate of £27.00, being the maximum amount appropriate in his case less £1 means. Following review of his case, his means were increased to £28.85 derived from his father's holding and as this amount exceeds the maximim rate of unemployment assistance payable to him, his claim was disallowed. He ceased signing on 12 July 1983.
He appealed against the decision to disallow his claim in August last but the appeal papers were lost in transit. He was furnished with another appeal form on 1 November 1983 and when this has been returned 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.
539.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the rate of unemployment assistance will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a factual assessment of his case the means of the person concerned were assessed at £57.65 weekly derived from land with effect from 12 October 1983. The rate of unemployment assistance is accordingly £22.65 weekly from 12 October 1983 increased by £6.70 to £29.35 weekly from 27 October 1983 in respect of an additional child dependant. He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His means will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
540.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 4 October 1983 of £17.50 per week, being the appropriate maximum rate of £21.20 in his case less notionally assessed means of £3.70. Following the factual investigation of his means by a social welfare officer, his claim to unemployment assistance was disallowed with effect from 5 October 1983 on the grounds that his means exceeded the maximum amount payable in his case. He appealed against this decision and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
541.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the rate of unemployment assistance will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £23.35, being the maximum weekly rate of £35.10 appropriate in his case less means assessed on a notional basis of £11.75. He has requested a factual assessment of his means and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. When the inquiries are completed, his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the means assessed against him.
542.
asked the Minister for Sociall Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following reinvestigation of his means the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed with effect from 21 September 1983 on the grounds that the means assessed against him derived from land and from his wife's earnings exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of his decision.
543.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £21.15 per week, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £35.10 less notionally assessed means of £13.95 until 4 October 1983. Following factual assessment of his means payment of unemployment assistance was disallowed from 5 October 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit in his case of £2,961.40. He has appealed against the disallowance and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for early determination of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
544.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a non-contributory old age pension granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as the application has been made for some time.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned was received on 11 November 1983 and was referred to the social welfare officer for investigation.
On completion of inquiries, the claim will be referred to the local pension committee for decision.
If a pension is recommended by the social welfare officer, it will be put into payment on a provisional basis pending the pension committee's decision.
545.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the non-payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 23 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 28 November 1983 but has not done so to date. The claimant commenced signing the unemployment register on 30 November 1983.
546.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in South Tipperary is being paid a pension at a reduced rate as he has a very limited income; and if he will reinvestigate his claim for a full pension.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 17 November 1983 that the person concerned is not entitled to an increase in his existing rate of old age pension. The latest assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of capital, does not warrant payment of pension at a higher rate.
547.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 July 1983 to 15 October 1983 after which date she was certified fit to resume work. She was not entitled to payment of benefit as she had less than the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in 1981-82 the governing contribution year. According to the records of the Department she has only six such contributions in 1981-82. She was asked to submit details of any employment she may have had in the period 6 April 1981 to 25 February 1982 but did not reply.
548.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if social welfare benefit will now be authorised for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin having regard to the fact that she has been in permanent employment for the past 30 years with the exception of a period of about 11 months in 1981.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 October 1983 and payment was issued on 30 November 1983 for the period 20 October 1983, the fourth day of incapacity, to 1 November 1983, when she was certified fit to resume work. The delay in issuing benefit was due to investigations into her insurance record.
549.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a children's allowance has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary in respect of her school-going son.
Due to an oversight, an allowance book in respect of the child in question was not issued. A book covering payment from October 1983 has now been issued and a payable order in respect of the arrears due will be issued shortly.
550.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £58.30 which is the maximum amount payable in his case. His means have been assessed at nil since November 1982.
551.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will direct his Department to continue benefit to him as he has been completely unfit for work for many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 31 October 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and in connection with his appeal arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 12 December 1983. His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
552.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance of £36.95 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £50.75 less means £13.80. 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.
553.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's and orphan's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
A claim from the person concerned for a widow's pension was received in the Department on 21 October 1983. Inquiries regarding her entitlement to a contributory pension on the basis of her late husband's insurance record are being made at present. When these inquiries have been completed a decision will be given on the claim and the widow will be notified.
In addition, the local social welfare officer has been requested to furnish a report on the claimant's circumstances in order that her possible entitlement to a widow's non-contributory pension can be determined. A decision on entitlement to that pension will be given as soon as the officer's report is received.
According to the records of the Department the late husband also had employment in Britain and accordingly the relevant papers have been forwarded to the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle upon Tyne, in order to have her title to a British widow's pension considered. That Department will notify her of the result.
Meanwhile it is understood that the claimant is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the South-Eastern Health Board.
554.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Payment of unemployment assistance which the person concerned was receiving was disallowed for six weeks from 28 September 1983 on the grounds that he failed to satisfy the condition that he was genuinely seeking work and was unable to obtain employment. He appealed against the disallowance but the appeals officer after an oral hearing of the case upheld the decision. His application has been reviewed from 9 November 1983 and has been disallowed for a further six weeks on the grounds that he is not genuinely seeking work and unable to obtain employment. He has a right of appeal against this decision also.
555.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick as he applied some time ago.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 1 March 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He appealed against the decision and the appeals officer disallowed the appeal on 20 September 1983. His claim is again being reviewed with effect from 21 September 1983 and a decision on it will be given shortly.
556.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and when full payments will resume.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 November 1982. The claim was governed by the 1980-81 contribution year. She had 51 credited contributions recorded for this period and payment was authorised for 52 weeks up to 22 November 1983 at the weekly maximum rate of £75.00, increased to £82.50 per week from 30 June 1983. This amount includes an increase in respect of an invalid husband and three dependent children. All payment due to 22 November 1983 has been issued in accordance with medical certificates received.
From 23 November 1983 her claim is governed by the 1981-82 contribution year. She has only 31 paid contributions recorded for this period and her weekly rate of disability benefit falls to be reduced to £78.85 per week. Further payment will issue for this amount on receipt of the appropriate medical certificates.
The contribution year governing her claim will change to the 1982/83 year with effect from 2 January 1984. She has a total of 51 paid and credited contributions recorded for this period and payment will be restored to £82.50 per week from 2 January 1984 should she continue to be medically certified incapable of work.
557.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of (a) men and (b) women in receipt of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance in each of the following areas of County Dublin: (1) Swords, (2) Donabate, (3) Balbriggan, (4) Skerries, (5) Rush, (6) Lusk, (7) Malahide, (8) Portmarnock, (9) Naul, (10) Garristown, (11) Oldtown, (12) Ballyboughal, (13) Rolestown and (14) St. Margaret's.
Details of the numbers of men and women in receipt of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance in the areas specified are as follows:
|
Area |
Men |
Women |
||||
|
Unemployment Benefit |
Unemployment Assistance |
Total |
Unemployment Benefit |
Unemployment Assistance |
Total |
|
|
Swords |
268 |
193 |
461 |
195 |
41 |
236 |
|
Donabate |
23 |
31 |
54 |
17 |
8 |
25 |
|
Balbriggan |
162 |
89 |
251 |
155 |
25 |
180 |
|
Skerries |
154 |
75 |
229 |
78 |
10 |
88 |
|
Rush |
105 |
83 |
188 |
44 |
17 |
61 |
|
Lusk |
53 |
43 |
96 |
29 |
7 |
36 |
|
Malahide |
115 |
55 |
170 |
80 |
17 |
97 |
|
Portmarnock |
86 |
48 |
134 |
57 |
15 |
72 |
|
Naul |
9 |
10 |
19 |
5 |
2 |
7 |
|
Garristown |
9 |
5 |
14 |
3 |
— |
3 |
|
Oldtown |
4 |
— |
4 |
1 |
— |
1 |
|
Ballyboughal |
10 |
8 |
18 |
2 |
— |
2 |
|
Rolestown |
11 |
9 |
20 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
|
St. Margarets |
15 |
26 |
41 |
12 |
2 |
14 |
558.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make immediate arrangements to approve an application by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon for unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £30.65 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging on his parents' holding. His means accordingly exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him and his claim was disallowed in respect of the period 24 June 1983 to 2 August 1983 when he ceased to sign as unemployed.
He appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim and indicated that he was no longer residing with his parents. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries and 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 his decision.
559.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to expedite the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 13 January 1983 to 8 February 1983 when he ceased to sign as unemployed. He was not available when the social welfare officer called to see him in connection with the assessment of his means. He made a further claim on 14 June 1983 and his case was again referred to the social welfare officer for investigation. Following receipt of the social welfare officer's report, a deciding officer recently assessed him with weekly means of £2.40 derived from the value of board and lodgings on his mother's holding. He is accordingly entitled to payment at the weekly rate of £23.05 from 13 January 1983, £25.60 from 29 June 1983 and £27.00 from 5 October 1983 being the maximum weekly amounts appropriate in his case from those dates less weekly means of £2.40. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week. Further payments will continue to be made as they fall due.
560.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have small farmer's assistance restored to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as soon as possible.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £35.90 a week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £42.00 less notionally assessed means of £6.10. Following factual assessment of his means his application was disallowed from 7 September 1983 on the grounds that his annual means derived from land and capital exceeded the statutory limit in his case of £2,961,40. He appealed against the decision and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for early determination of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
561.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £71.60 a week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £73.60 less means £2.00. Following review of his case his weekly means were increased to £7.70 derived from the letting value of his wife's share in land with effect from 9 November 1983. His weekly rate of unemployment assistance was accordingly reauthorised at £65.90 a week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £73.60 less means of £7.70.
Weekly payments of £65.90 continue to be made as they become due.
562.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for an old age pension book to be issued immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of a pension at the maximum rate from 13 September 1983 has been recommended by the social welfare officer.
The appropriate pension books plus arrears are in course of issue on a provisional basis pending the pension committee's decision.
563.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as he has been signing for the past seven months.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance until 5 April 1983 when his application was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of his case the appeals officer upheld the decision. He reapplied for unemployment assistance on 23 June 1983 and following a review of his means he was assessed with weekly means of £32.70. His application was refused as his means exceeded the maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case. He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
564.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of a non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 2 December 1983 that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the maximum weekly rate of £38.60 plus £3.00 living alone allowance from 10 July 1983. Supplementary pension books implementing the increase awarded have been issued to the pensioner and the arrears due will be issued shortly.
565.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he considers £30.00 per week to be an adequate subsistence allowance for a single person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the rate of £30.35 a week and this is the maximum amount payable under the legislation to a single man resident in an urban area. Because the plight of the unemployed is recognised arrangements were made this year for the first time to make a special payment to the long-term unemployed. Accordingly, from the beginning of October their rates of unemployment assistance were increased by 5 per cent. This increase was in addition to the increase of 10 per cent which was awarded generally from the end of June last. The person referred to by the Deputy benefited from the increase.
566.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when full disability benefit will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Payment of disability benefit was suspended for six weeks from 14 November 1983 as the person concerned failed to attend for examination by a medical referee on 26 October 1983. Following a review of his claim, in the light of medical evidence submitted by him, payment was restored from 22 November 1983. A cheque for the arrears of benefit due for the period from 14 November 1983 was issued on 22 November 1983.
567.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the weekly amount that will be paid; the date on which it will be paid and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance on the basis of a notional assessment of his means. Following a review of his case his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed with effect from 12 October 1983 on the grounds that his means, derived from his land, exceeds the maximum amount payable in his case.
He appealed against the decision and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
568.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total amount of money paid in supplementary welfare payments, broken down into weekly payments and discretionary payments, in each of the health board areas for each of the last three years.
The statistical information supplied by the health boards does not enable a breakdown of expenditure on the lines requested by the Deputy to be supplied.
The total expenditure on supplementary welfare allowances (including the national fuel scheme) in 1980, 1981 and 1982 in each health board area was as follows:
|
Health Board |
1980 |
1981 |
1982 |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
Eastern |
4,371,002 |
7,780,000 |
12,761,132 |
|
Midland |
615,623 |
1,105,020 |
1,371,116 |
|
Mid-Western |
784,262 |
1,570,742 |
1,765,044 |
|
North-Eastern |
880,975 |
1,488,848 |
2,292,178 |
|
North-Western |
824,000 |
1,641,040 |
2,306,230 |
|
South-Eastern |
1,558,447 |
2,504,982 |
3,969,787 |
|
Southern |
1,699,830 |
3,017,625 |
4,241,109 |
|
Western |
1,570,926 |
2,210,952 |
2,432,838 |
|
Total |
12,305,065 |
21,319,209 |
31,139,434 |
569.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any instructions have been issued to community welfare officers concerning discretionary supplementary welfare payments, especially the payment of clothing grants.
There is provision under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme whereby a health board may, in any case which it considers reasonable, pay an allowance by way of a single payment to meet an exceptional need. Claims for help with exceptional needs can arise in a wide variety of situations and each claim is considered on its merits in the light of individual circumstances. Guidelines were drawn up at the inception of the scheme in order as far as possible to ensure uniform application of the legislation dealing with supplementary welfare allowance. No further instructions have been issued.
570.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The claim of the person concerned to a deserted wife's allowance has been partially investigated. It is, however, necessary to make further inquiries in order to get an up-to-date assessment of her means. A local officer of the Department will call on her shortly for this purpose and immediately his report is received a decision will be given on her claim.
571.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will advise the health boards to operate the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in a sympathetic way so that homeless people trying to get flats in the private rented sector are able to avail themselves of the existing schemes which provide for payment towards flat deposits and rent in advance.
It is not clear to which schemes the Deputy is referring in his question. There is no specific scheme under the scheme of supplementary welfare allowances which provides for payment towards flat deposits and electricity connections in advance but applications for such assistance may be dealt with under the provisions in the supplementary welfare allowances scheme enabling a health board to make a single payment to meet an exceptional need.
Inquiries have been made from the health boards and cases of the type referred to do arise and are dealt with sympathetically in all health board areas.