asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
226.
The person concerned requested a review of his unemployment assistance claim. Following reinvestigation, he was assessed with means of £42.30 per week, derived from profit from land. He is, therefore, entitled to a weekly payment of £24.60, being the maximum rate payable to him, £66.90, less £42.30 means. He appealed against the assessment of his means and arrangements have been made to have his case determined by an appeals officer. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
227.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Arrangements have been made to commence weekly payments of unemployment assistance to the person concerned this week at the rate of £17.40 being the maximum rate payable to him £29.40 less means £12.00. When the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which he received pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim is known the balance of any arrears due will be paid to him.
Inquiries about his means are still being made by a social welfare officer and when they are completed the amount of means assessed against him will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
228.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means from land and capital exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and the appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means as being in excess of the statutory limit. He recently obtained an application form at his local office for the purpose of having his means re-investigated. When he returns this form, his case will be referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the report.
229.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following a re-investigation of his means by a social welfare officer the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed at his local office against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim and arrangements are being made to submit his case to an appeals officer. His case will be determined by an appeals officer as early as possible and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
230.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means from land exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer requires further information about the income from his holding and the case has been referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries. When these are completed the case will be referred back to the appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
231.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following re-investigation of his means by a social welfare officer the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 9 November 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the means assessed against him and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries. When these inquiries were completed he was reassessed with means at £57.65 weekly derived from the profit from land. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £22.65 being the maximum rate £80.30 less £57.65.
Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
232.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit at the rate of £57.35 a week which includes an increase of £22.55 a week in respect of his wife. His wife is receiving a non-contributory old age pension at the weekly rate of £38.60.
The social welfare regulations preclude concurrent payment of an increase in invalidity pension in respect of a spouse who is receiving old age pension. It would not therefore be to his advantage to transfer to invalidity pension.
The person concerned is being advised of the position and requested to state whether, in the circumstances, he wishes to pursue his application for invalidity pension.
233.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was paid old age pension from 17 June 1982 to 17 March 1983 when the pension was revoked following an increase in his means consisting of the weekly value of a British retirement pension. The latest assessment of his means is also in excess of the current statutory limit of £42.00 for entitlement to old age pension.
234.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 24 May 1982. His application was disallowed on and from 24 May 1982 and 28 July 1983 on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking and unable to obtain suitable employment and that he was not available for employment. He appealed against these decisions and he attended oral hearings on 27 July 1983 and 12 December 1983 but the appeals officer disallowed the appeals.
His application is at present under review regarding his availability for employment and his efforts to get employment from 13 December 1983 and his entitlement to unemployment assistance from that date will be determined in the light of the outcome.
235.
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 maximum rate of unemployment assistance is only payable to a person who is assessed with nil means.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at £15.15 weekly which was the maximum rate payable to him £28.00 less means of £12.85 derived from board and lodgings on his parents holding. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer reduced the assessment of his means to £7.85 weekly with effect from 28 September 1983. He was accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £20.15 weekly increased to £21.55 from 5 October 1983 and all arrears due were paid to him on 13 December 1983. Weekly payments at £21.55 continue to be made as they become due.
236.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 23 September 1983 that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension as he does not fulfil the statutory condition as to means. The assessment of his means, consisting of the estimated profit from a farm, exceeds the statutory limit of £42. The claimant was notified on 26 September of his right to appeal against this decision but to date no appeal has been received.
237.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid 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 profit from land exceeded the statutory limit. He recently appealed against the disallowance and the case has been submitted to an appeals officer for determination of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
238.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 5 December 1983 and following completion of inquiries to ascertain her contribution record, payment was authorised at the maximum rate payable to her £34.80 weekly.
All arrears due, less amount of supplementary welfare allowance which had been paid to her pending the outcome of her unemployment benefit claim, were paid on 19 January 1984 and further weekly payments are being made as they become due.
239.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 5 December, 1983, and following inquiries to ascertain his contribution record, his claim was authorised for payment at the weekly rate of £34.80. All arrears due were paid to him on 19 January, 1984, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance he had received pending a decision on his entitlement to unemployment benefit. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
240.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal will be decided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 26 October 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from land and capital exceeded the maximum rate payable.
He appealed against the decision and the case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. The case will be dealt with as soon as possible.
241.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 21 September 1983 to 2 November 1983 after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements were made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 19 December 1983 but he failed to attend. He has since indicated that he resumed work on 24 November 1983.
An appeal form has been issued to the claimant and he has been advised to return the form setting out the grounds for his appeal if he wishes his case to be referred to an appeals officer for determination in respect of the period from 2 November 1983 to 23 November 1983. There is no trace of any medical certificate of incapacity having been received since 24 November 1983.
242.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a claim for disability benefit was disallowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person claimed injury benefit from 6 July 1983 in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 5 July. Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident, he was paid disability benefit in respect of the period from 11 July 1983, the fourth day of incapacity, to 15 August 1983 after which date he was certified fit to resume work. The sum of £248.85 was deducted from arrears of benefit and was refunded to the Eastern Health Board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by them.
Following a review and further examination of the circumstances of the case his claim to injury benefit has been accepted from 7 July 1983. A cheque in respect of the additional amount payable as a result of this will be sent to him within the next few days.
243.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Unemployment assistance has been paid continuously to the person concerned since date of application and continues to be paid as it falls due. He is paid at £55.15 per week being the maximum rate payable to him £70.15 less £15 means. He applied to have his means reinvestigated and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. The assessment of his means will be reviewed in the light of his report and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
244.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding on an appeal for an increased rate of old age pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will have the case dealt with as a matter of urgency in view of her circumstances.
The local pension committee decided, on 28 December 1983, that the person concerned was entitled to an old age pension of £20.45 a week from 12 April 1983 increased to £24.60 from 1 July 1983. These were the rates appropriate to the assessment of her means, comprising mainly half the income from a shop and licensed premises.
Her appeal against that decision was referred to an appeals officer who requested further inquiries before giving his decision. These inquiries were recently completed and in the light of the information received the appeals officer has decided that the person concerned is entitled to increased old age pension at the weekly rate of £32.60 from 8 July 1983 when a shop was let and at the maximum rate of £38.60 from 8 September 1983 when the licensed premises were transferred.
A supplementary pension book payable from 6 January 1984 has issued to the pensioner and a payable order covering the arrears due will issue shortly.
245.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following a review of his unemployment assistance claim the means against the person concerned were assessed at £67.30 weekly, derived from land. He is accordingly in receipt of £13 a week being the maximum rate of £80.30 less £67.30 means. He has appealed against the means assessment and the appeals officer has afforded him a further opportunity to supply any evidence in support of his appeal. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
246.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has no income.
The unemployment assistance claim for the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish full details of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer upheld the disallowance of his claim and he was notified accordingly on 9 January 1984.
247.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrears of unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork from the date of his first appeal in May 1983.
The person concerned was assessed with nil means from 20 September 1983 when he ceased to be a self-employed person and he is in continuous receipt of weekly unemployment assistance at the maximum rate since that date.
During the period 16 March 1983 to 19 September 1983 he was assessed with means at £15.40 weekly derived from self employment as a painter and this assessment was upheld by an appeals officer on 13 May 1983. His weekly rate of unemployment assistance was reduced during the period by the amount of means assessed against him. However arrangements are being made to refer the case to the appeals officer for consideration of the assessment of his means from 14 May 1983 to 19 September 1983 after which the rate of unemployment assistance which was payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
248.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as there is no employment available for him.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 24 November 1983 but his claim was disallowed on and from 24 November 1983 to 3 December 1983 on the ground that he was incapable of work. He had been in receipt of disability benefit until the latter date. His claim is at present under review regarding his availability for employment from 4 December 1983 and his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the outcome. In the meantime he is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment benefit claim.
249.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 21 November 1983 to 26 November 1983 on the grounds that by reason of being in receipt of holiday pay he was not unemployed during this period.
His claim was allowed from 28 November 1983 and payment of unemployment benefit at the maximum rate of £74.85 was authorised in addition to pay-related benefit at £16.01 weekly. All benefit was paid as payments became due up to 7 January 1984 when he ceased to sign as unemployed.
250.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 7 January 1984 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 the weekly value of a holding, exceed the statutory limit.
251.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not qualify for unemployment assistance.
Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against this disallowance and his case has been submitted to an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
252.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 30 November 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance. His case has been referred back to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries after which it will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
253.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a deduction of £1.20 was made from the old age pension of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of old age pension at the weekly rate of £36.60 plus £2.80 over 80 allowance. This is the rate of pension to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means consisting of half the weekly value of her husband's occupational pension.
The reduction of £1.20 in her old age pension took place in April 1981 as a result of an increase of £117.52 per annum in her husband's occupational pension. There have been no reductions in her pension since that date. Her husband is in receipt of contributory old age pension at the maximum rate. Entitlement to this pension does not depend on means.
254.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payments of deserted wife's assistance will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned incurred an overpayment of deserted wife's allowance during the period September 1980 to September 1981 as she had means from employment which she failed to disclose to the Department. Up to now a deduction of £2 a week has been made from her allowance in respect of this overpayment. The overpayment is recoverable as a debt due to the State and it is not possible to write off the amount outstanding. The amount remaining outstanding is £114 and in view of the circumstances as stated by the Deputy the weekly deduction is being reduced to £1.
255.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 November 1983 and has been paid to 17 January 1984 date of the latest medical certificate received, less a sum in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the South-Eastern Health Board.
256.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The determination of the entitlement of the person concerned to pay-related benefit with his flat-rate unemployment benefit was delayed by reason of claim documents going astray in postal transit to his local office. The matter was rectified and pay-related benefit was authorised at £12.85 weekly and all arrears due were paid on 7 December 1983. Further combined payments of £87.70 weekly representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £74.85 and pay-related benefit £12.85 are being made as they become due.
257.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when 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 13 December 1982 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 the person concerned examined by a medical referee on 9 February 1984. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.