asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an unmarried mother's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
409.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of an unmarried mother's allowance for herself and one child. An application for an increase in respect of a second child was received from her on 9 January 1984.
The claim is at present under investigation by a local officer of the Department. On receipt of his report a decision will be given and the claimant notified without delay.
410.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if the decision on the appeal will be expedited.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 17 September 1983. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. In connection with his appeal against the disallowance of his disability benefit the person concerned was examined by a different medical referee who decided that he was incapable of work. Payment was restored from 19 September 1983 and all benefit due to him to date has been paid.
411.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny on the grounds of unavailability when she is registered with the National Manpower Service and has applied to firms (details supplied) and is available to take up immediate employment if offered.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 14 October 1983 but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of her appeal on 17 January 1984 which she attended the appeals officer upheld the deciding officer's decision in her case. She ceased to sign the unemployed register on 18 January 1984.
412.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as it was refused to him even though he is only in receipt of £15 per week supplementary welfare allowance and owns only 24 acres of very poor land.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him, £29.80 weekly, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. His means are derived from land. He appealed against this decision but an appeals officer also assessed his means at £29.80 weekly. He was notified accordingly on 4 January 1984.
413.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a children's allowance book will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in respect of her daughter.
An allowance book at the rate of £11.25 per month payable from January 1984 has been issued to the claimant in respect of the child in question. A payable order for £33.75 in respect of arrears due for the period October 1983 to December 1983 is in the course of issue and will reach the claimant shortly.
414.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 18 November 1983 and was paid from 22 November 1983, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. Payment was issued on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity in the Department and all benefit due to 9 January 1984, after which date he was certified fit to resume work has been issued.
He was not entitled to pay-related benefit as the weekly rate of disability benefit in payment (£57.35) exceeded 80 per cent of his reckonable weekly earnings (£53.59) in the 1981-82 income tax year relevant to his claim.
415.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly although he is married with two children and has no income.
Following a review of his case the claim of the person concerned to unemployment assistance was disallowed from 23 November 1983 on the grounds that he was not available for and genuinely seeking work. He appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of his appeal which he attended, an appeals officer upheld the deciding officer's decision in his case.
416.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly as he has been signing at Tullamore unemployment exchange, County Offaly, since November.
The person concerned does not fulfil the contribution conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit. He claimed unemployment assistance but he was not available for interview when a social welfare officer called to his residence to investigate his means.
He again applied for unemployment assistance and following the completion of inquiries he has been assessed with nil means. He is entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £28.00 weekly and arrangements have been made to commence weekly payments this week. When the amount of supplementary welfare allowance received by him pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim is known the balance of any arrears due will be paid.
417.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly since 22 December 1983.
The person concerned was paid maternity allowance from 16 September 1983 to 22 December 1983. She then claimed disability benefit from 23 December 1983.
There was delay in issuing payment on her claim due to an administrative error. The matter has now been rectified and all disability benefit due to 10 February 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
418.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason maternity benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when it will be paid.
Maternity benefit is now in payment to the person concerned. The authorisation of payment was held up for some time while difficulties regarding the completion of her claim form were being resolved.
419.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The entitlement to unemployment benefit from 3 January 1984 of the person concerned could not be determined until inquiries to establish that he was capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work had been undertaken. These inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at £82.50 weekly, being the maximum rate appropriate in his case.
All arrears of unemployment benefit due to 7 February 1984, amounting to £398.75, were issued to him by way of a payable order for encashment at his local post office on 10 February 1984. Further payments are continuing as they become due.
420.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a non contributory old age pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of pension at the weekly rate of £4.60 plus £3.00 living alone allowance has been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 13 January 1984, date claimant reached 66 years. This is the rate appropriate to the assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of a holding.
The appropriate pension books payable from 13 January 1984 were issued on 9 February 1984 on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision.
421.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick from 19 March to 28 July 1982; and if he will have the matter investigated and all arrears paid.
The claim to unemployment benefit for the person concerned was disallowed for the period 19 March 1982 to 29 April 1982 on the grounds that he lost his employment through circumstances within his own control. He did not appeal against the disallowance of his claim. His claim was admitted for payment from 30 April 1982 and all unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit to which he was entitled has been paid up to 28 July 1983 when he exhausted his entitlement to unemployment benefit.
422.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment assistance paid on Fridays and not on Saturday mornings of each week in Mitchelstown, as this is causing great hardship to many families and especially to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Registered unemployed persons in Mitchelstown receive their unemployment payment vouchers by post from Fermoy employment office each Friday for encashment at Mitchelstown post office on Saturdays. Arrangements have been agreed with An Post that with effect from this week the vouchers will be cashed at Mitchelstown post office as early as Friday of each week.
423.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the maximum rate of unemployment assistance 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 in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
424.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit payments will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 20 December 1982 and payment was made from 23 December 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 31 December 1983. Payment ceased after that date as she had not the required 26 contributions paid or credited for the 1982-83 contribution year that governs her claim from 2 January 1984. According to the records of the Department she has only 15 credited contributions recorded on her behalf for that year. She is not, therefore, entitled to payment of benefit. She was requested to give details of any employment she may have had in the period from 6 April 1982 to 19 December 1982 but she did not reply.
425.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
Following a re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £61.50 weekly derived from self-employment. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £5.40 weekly. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the case has been referred to the social welfare officer for inquiries regarding his self-employment. When these inquiries are completed the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. The rate of unemployment assistance to him will be at the rate reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
426.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 16 November 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. He has so far failed to furnish information relevant to his application to the social welfare officer. When he furnishes the required information, his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
427.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for a credit allowance in respect of a free telephone allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The person concerned has been awarded free telephone rental allowance with effect from 2 November 1983. Credit for all rental due for the period 2 November 1983 to 30 June 1984 will be applied to her telephone account for the quarter ending 30 June 1984 which will be issued in May 1984.
428.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will approve urgently the payment of unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
Following a review of his means the person concerned was assessed with means of £32.50 weekly derived from land and capital. He appealed against the decision and an appeals officer reduced his means to £27.70 with effect from 29 June 1983. Unemployment assistance was accordingly authorised at £20.65 being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £48.35 less means £27.70, increased to £23.05, £50.75 less £27.70, from 5 October 1983. He ceased to sign the unemployed register on 15 November 1983.
429.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the old age pension paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The amount of old age pension paid to the late pensioner is as follows:
|
Period covered |
No. of weeks |
Weekly Rate |
|
£ |
||
|
22 April 1980 to 2 April 1981 |
50 |
10.25 |
|
3 April 1981 to 1 October 1981 |
26 |
18.70 |
|
2 October 1981 to 6 December 1981 |
10 |
20.95 |
|
7 December 1981 to 1 April 1982 |
17 |
34.20 |
|
2 April 1982 to 12 October 1982 |
28 |
45.75 |
430.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision on an appeal for an increase in unemployment assistance will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and as a holder of a qualification certificate with means assessed at £5.35 weekly his claim was allowed. He is accordingly in receipt of £36.65 a week, being the maximum rate payable to him £42.00 less £5.35 means. His claim was referred to a social welfare officer for re-investigation and following inquiries the case was forwarded to headquarters for a reassessment of his means. The deciding officer requires further information on the income he receives from his late father's holding. When these inquiries are completed, the assessment of his means will be reviewed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
431.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 9 February 1984 that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £12.60 plus £6.40 adult dependant allowance from 28 December 1983. This is the rate to which he is entitled, having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of income from casual farm work, cattle selling, and capital.
432.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in making a decision on an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means from self-employment as a painter exceeded the statutory limit from 21 November 1983. He recently 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.
433.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay disability benefit at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he has been out of work since 5 January 1984 and has submitted all relevant certificates; and if arrears of disability benefit will be paid to him from 1 September 1982 to July 1983.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 January 1984 and was paid from 9 January 1984, fourth day of incapacity, at the reduced rate appropriate to a person with 41 contributions registered in 1982-83, the contribution year governing his claim. A minimum of 48 contributions, paid or credited, is required in the governing contribution year for payment of benefit at the maximum rate. All benefit due to 2 February 1984, date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
To be entitled to payment of either disability benefit or unemployment benefit a claimant requires a minimum of 26 contributions, paid or credited, in the contribution year governing his claim. The contribution years governing payment of both disability benefit and unemployment benefit in 1982 and 1983 are 1980-81 and 1981-82 respectively. The claimants insurance record shows that he had a total of only five paid contributions in both the years concerned and was not, therefore, qualified for payment of benefit.
434.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny although the application was made in mid 1983.
The person concerned is a landholder who claimed unemployment benefit from 15 September 1983. He did not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 paid contributions in a three year period. Therefore, his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of the income of his holding. Following the completion of inquiries which revealed that the value of his holding exceeded £2.00 per day, his unemployment benefit claim was disallowed. He appealed against the decision but an appeal officer also disallowed his unemployment benefit claim on the grounds that the value of his holding exceed £2.00 per day. He did not pursue a claim for unemployment assistance following the disallowance of his unemployment benefit claim.
435.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of disability benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the amount overpaid; the amount which has now been recouped by his Department; and if the correct rate of disability benefit is being paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 31 January 1984 and was paid from 3 February 1984, fourth day of incapacity to 13 February 1984, date of the latest medical evidence received. He was overpaid benefit amounting to £78.47 on a previous claim but had already refunded £45. The outstanding amount is being recovered at the rate of £5 per week from his current entitlement of £90.15, the correct rate for a married man with four qualified children.
The total amount recovered to date is £52.50 and the balance of the overpayment outstanding is £25.97.
436.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have the maximum rate of unemployment benefit or assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if all arrears will be paid.
The person concerned was paid a reduced rate of disability benefit to 31 December 1983 based on his 1981-1982 insurance record.
From 2 January 1984 his claim for benefit is governed by the number of contributions paid or credited in the 1982-1983 contribution year. He had 49 contributions in that year and is therefore qualified for benefit at the maximum rate of £34.80 per week from 2 January 1984. All benefit due to him to 11 February 1984 date of the latest medical certificate received has been paid. There are no arrears of benefit due in this case.
437.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have pay-related benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been in receipt of disability benefit since 6 December 1983.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 6 December 1983.
Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident, he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis from 10 December 1983, the fourth day of certified incapacity.
Following investigations, injury benefit has been awarded from the date of the accident. Pay-related benefit has also been awarded from 28 December 1983, the nineteenth day of incapacity.
In error he was overpaid disability benefit amounting to £399.21. Arrears of pay-related benefit and of injury benefit over and above the disability benefit already paid, including the overpayment, have been issued. Benefit has been paid to the date of the latest medical certificate received.
438.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a reduced rate of widow's pension is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been informed that she was overpaid but who understands that the overpayment has now been refunded to the Department.
The person concerned was awarded widow's contributory pension and living alone allowance with effect from 11 March 1983. Her entitlement to old age non-contributory pension ceased from that date.
An overpayment of £92.90 arose owing to concurrent payment of the two pensions initially and the claimant agreed to have her living alone allowance of £3.00 per week withheld from 2 December 1983 to 29 June 1984 when the amount would have been fully recovered. However, the double week payment at Christmas 1983 when taken into consideration advances the final date by one week to 22 June 1984. The position on Friday, 17 February, was that £39.00 had been recovered leaving an outstanding balance of £53.90.
439.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 December 1983 and has been paid from that date to 14 February 1984, date of the latest medical certificate received.
440.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in making a decision on an unemployment assistance appeal which was lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a review of his weekly means of 40p the person concerned was assessed with weekly means of £5.40 derived from self-employment as a fisherman with effect from 28 September 1983. He is in receipt of unemployment assistance of £52.90 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £58.30 less means £5.40. An appeal form was issued to him but has not yet been returned. When it is completed and returned to his local office it will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision in his case. In the meantime weekly payments of £52.90 will continue to be made as they become due.
441.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of the period from 25 October 1983 to date.
The person concerned did not attend for medical referee examination on 18 October 1983 when requested to do so and did not submit any explanation for his failure to attend. Accordingly, payment of disability benefit was disallowed for a period of six weeks from 31 October to 10 December 1983.
No further medical evidence was submitted until 24 January 1984 when certificates dated 19 December 1983 and 23 January 1984 were received. Payment was made from 12 December 1983 and all benefit due to date has been paid.
442.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the oral hearing of an appeal of a deserted wife's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The papers in this case are being referred to an appeals officer for consideration of the question of an oral hearing. The Department will be in touch with the person concerned in due course.
443.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit/assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan as she has been signing since February 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 9 February 1983 but her claim was disallowed on the ground that she had insufficient contributions paid since entry into insurable employment.
She was advised to sign for credited contributions until 3 December 1983. Thereafter, having reached the minimum age requirement of 18 years, she would then be eligible to make an application for unemployment assistance. Following a reminder which was recently issued to her by the employment office regarding unemployment assistance, she made an application on 16 January 1984. The case will be investigated by a social welfare officer with a view to an assessment of her means after which her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined.
444.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 3 October 1983 and following prolonged inquiries into his means he was assessed with weekly means of £10.55 derived from the letting value of land. Unemployment assistance was authorised at £40 a week, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £55.55 less means £10.55. All arrears due will be paid to him this week.
445.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The application of the person concerned for an increase in pension has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of pension at the higher rate of £30.60 from 14 December 1983, the date of receipt of application, has been recommended by the social welfare officer. This is the rate of pension to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of a holding and capital.
The appropriate pension book implementing the increase recommended has issued on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision.
446.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at £8.80 weekly when two of his children attained age of 18 years on 16 September 1983. His means were assessed at £84.35 weekly derived from land and as this amount exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him from 17 September 1983 his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed.
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 decision of the appeals officer in his case.
447.
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 6 January 1984 and all benefit due from 10 January 1984, the fourth day of incapacity, to 13 February 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued.
She also claimed disability benefit from 6 September 1983 and benefit was issued from 9 September 1983, the fourth day of incapacity, to 19 September 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received. No further medical evidence was received in respect of this claim.
On receipt of the Deputy's question the claimant's employer was contacted and it was confirmed that the claimant was absent from work from 5 September 1983 to 25 September 1983. A cheque for £30.60 representing arrears of disability benefit from 8 September 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 24 September 1983 was issued on 20 February 1984.
448.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 20 January 1984. He is not qualified for benefit as according to the records of the Department he has less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1982-1983, the contribution year governing his claim.
He was requested on 30 January and again on 14 February 1984 to submit details of his employment record in 1982-1983 but has not done so.
449.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension appeal will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 3 January 1984 that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the grounds that he failed to establish that he fulfils the statutory conditions as to means. He declined to give the necessary information regarding a holding.
If the person concerned is now prepared to give full details of the holding, he should notify the Department to that effect and his case will be reinvestigated.
450.
(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 7 February 1984 and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
451.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned submitted a claim for disability benefit from 6 February 1984, received in my Department on 9 February 1984. All payment due from 9 February 1984, the fourth day of the claim, to 13 February 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received was issued on 15 February 1984.
Further payment of disability benefit will issue on receipt of weekly medical certificates.
452.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was disallowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Following a review of his case his means derived from land were deemed to exceed the statutory limit. He appealed and the appeal is in transit to headquarters. When it is received the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. He continues to sign at his local office.
453.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 3 January 1984 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
454.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason back-money including maternity benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath from 23 June to 27 October 1983.
A payable order for arrears of social assistance allowance for the period from 23 June 1983 to 19 October 1983, less an adjustment in respect of maternity benefit and supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during that time, has now been sent to the person concerned. An allowance order book payable from 20 October 1983 was issued on 19 October 1983.
Before the arrears could be issued, it was necessary to establish the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during the period.
455.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the maximum rate of unemployment assistance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 19 December 1983 was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. The applicant has been interviewed twice by the social welfare officer but the inquiries are not yet completed. When the inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
456.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was refused unemployment assistance on his application of 3 March 1983 as his means derived from self-employment were deemed to exceed the statutory limit for receiving unemployment assistance.
He again applied but when the social welfare officer called to his address he was not available for interview as he was absent from his home by reason of being engaged on a job of work.
Arrangements have been made for a social welfare officer to call and interview him and when inquiries are completed, his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
457.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; if he is aware that the employer (details supplied) did not make a return of social welfare contributions on behalf of this worker for the period January, 1981 to November, 1982; when his Department will arrange for payment to her; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 February 1983. She is not entitled to payment of benefit from 25 February 1983, the fourth day of her claim, because according to the records of the Department she did not have the required minimum of 26 contributions at the appropriate rate paid or credited in 1981-82 and 1982-83, the contribution years governing her claim.
Her employment record is at present being investigated and on completion of these inquiries her entitlement to benefit will be reviewed.
458.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 2 November 1983 but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she had insufficient contributions during the governing contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982.
A new benefit year commenced on 2 January 1984 and it has been established that she satisfied the contribution conditions for unemployment benefit during the contribution period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983; her claim was allowed at the weekly rate of £33.55 from that date.
Arrangements have been made for the payment of all arrears of unemployment benefit due to her this week. Further weekly payments of £33.55 will continue as they become due.
459.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for farmers unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a review of his means the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 25 January 1984, on the grounds that his means derived from land and capital exceeded the statutory limit, in his case, of £3,720.60 a year. He recently appealed against the decision and arrangements are being made to refer his case to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
460.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payments of the supplementary welfare allowance for unemployed persons under 18 years and in particular for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who have left school, have no income and insufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for unemployment benefit and are too young to receive unemployment assistance will be sanctioned by his Department.
There is no minimum age for entitlement to a supplementary welfare allowance. The determination of entitlement in any case, however, is a matter for the health boards who administer the scheme. It is understood from the South-Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the supplementary welfare allowances scheme in County Wexford, that an application for an allowance in the case of the particular person concerned was disallowed as he is regarded as a dependant of his father, who is gainfully employed. The applicant has been advised of the decision and of his right of appeal. Persons under 18 years of age living at home would normally be regarded as dependants of their families since increases of social welfare payments and of supplementary welfare allowance are payable in respect of children up to that age.
461.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date on which a person applied for unemployment assistance; and when a decision will be made on the case.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 13 September 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. Extensive inquiries are still being made in the case and it is expected that they will be completed shortly.
In the meantime he is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim.
462.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a telephone rental allowance has been approved for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned has been approved for free telephone rental allowance and a notification to this effect was issued to her on 9 December 1982.
Telecom Éireann has been advised of the decision and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which telephone service is provided.
463.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 October 1982 and payment was made from 20 October 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 31 December 1983. Payment ceased from 2 January 1984, the commencement of a new benefit year, as according to the records of the Department she had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1982-83, the contribution year governing her claim from that date.
Following inquiries into her insurance record it was established that she had a total of 52 contributions in 1982-83 and therefore was entitled to disability benefit from 2 January 1984.
All disability benefit due to 11 February 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued.
464.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has been reduced from £50 to £34 per week; and if he will arrange to have his case reinvestigated with a view to having the maximum rate paid.
Following the exhaustion of his entitlement to unemployment benefit the person concerned claimed unemployment assistance. His case was investigated by a social welfare officer and his means were assessed at £23.05 weekly, derived from beneficial occupation of land. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer reduced the assessment of his means to £16.00 weekly.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £34.75 weekly and all arrears due were paid to him.
Weekly payments of £34.75 continue to be made as they fall due.
465.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a living alone allowance will be paid to a widow (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
One of the conditions for receipt of living alone allowance is that the pensioner must have reached the age of 66 years. The person concerned is only 58 years of age and does not therefore satisfy this condition. She is accordingly not entitled to be paid a living alone allowance.
466.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the circumstances under which social welfare payments have been withheld from an unemployed worker (details supplied) in County Dublin; and the reason only £22 has been paid for the past five weeks.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 17 January 1981 to 20 January 1982 and from 6 October 1983 to 23 December 1983. Under the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts a person must have at least 156 contributions paid at the appropriate rate since her entry into insurable employment in order to qualify for payment of disability benefit for a period exceeding 52 weeks. According to the records of the Department the person concerned has a total of only 78 such contributions. Her entitlement to disability benefit became exhausted on 20 January 1982 and she has consequently been overpaid disability benefit.
In order to requalify for payment of disability benefit the claimant would need a further 13 weeks of insurable employment for which contributions at the appropriate rate have been paid. She is currently in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the Eastern Health Board.
467.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the circumstances under which welfare payments have been withheld and subsequently reduced in the case of an insured worker (details supplied) in Dublin 11 as he now has to survive on £7 per week.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 13 April 1983. His claim was disallowed from 13 January 1984, following an examination by a medical referee who expressed an opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance of his disability benefit claim and pending the outcome of his case, he claimed unemployment assistance. He was the holder of a qualification certificate with means assessed at £11.05 weekly. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £19.30 weekly, being the maximum rate payable to him, £30.35 less £11.05. He was, however, underpaid unemployment assistance of £1.45 weekly, since the commencement of his unemployment assistance claim and an adjusting payment of the arrears due will be made shortly. Payment of unemployment assistance is continuing at £19.30 per week.
468.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 8 March 1972 and all benefit due has been paid to date. A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to him and on its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
469.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite the approval of the maximum rate of old age pension for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
A claim for an increase in the old age pension of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. The social welfare officer has recommended that no increase in pension be awarded as there has been no change in her circumstances since the previous assessment. The assessment of her means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding, entitles her to old age pension at the weekly rate of £24.60 which is currently in payment. If she is dissatisfied with the committee's decision she will have the right to appeal against it.
470.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a decision on an unemployment assistance appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
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 this decision on 29 December 1983 and on 15 February 1984 an appeals officer also deemed his means to be in excess of the statutory limit and he has been notified accordingly.
471.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when free travel facilities will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is not yet 66 years of age and is not in receipt of an allowance or pension which would entitle him to free travel. He will, however, automatically qualify for free travel when he reaches 66 years of age in September 1984 and a free travel pass will be issued to him at that time.
472.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite approval of a prescribed relative's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The application of the pensioner concerned for prescribed relative allowance is under investigation at present. It is expected that the social welfare officer's inquiries will be completed shortly and the claim will be forwarded to a deciding officer for decision. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
473.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he is aware of the urgency of the situation; if he will now direct his Department to pay this assistance immediately; the weekly amount that will be paid; the amount of arrears that will be paid; the date on which they will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned on 21 November 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment as a tiler exceeded the statutory limit in his case of £3,387.80 a year. His appeal against the decision went astray in the post and arrangements have been made to have a duplicate appeal form completed which will be referred to an appeals officer for determination of means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
474.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been granted an increased rate of pension; the number of dependants allowed for on this pension; the total amount; if he will give details of the expenses allowed; if he will now direct his Department to increase the rate of pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A routine review of the entitlements of the person concerned revealed that there had been an increase in his means consisting of half the weekly value of his wife's earnings and a holding. A question for reduction of his old age pension to the weekly rate of £2.60 plus £1.40 adult dependant allowance and £24.55 dependant child allowance in respect of three qualified children with effect from 6 January 1984 was therefore referred to the local pension committee for decision. The reduction in the rate of pension has been implemented on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision. If he is dissatisfied with the committee's decision he will have the right to appeal against it. His means are assessed at £40.42 per week and are made up of half the weekly value of a holding and half the weekly value of his wife's earnings less all allowable expenses such as travelling and deductions from her salary. The statutory deduction of £312 in respect of three children was also taken into account.
475.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway was reduced from £39 to £21.95 per week; if his former benefits will be restored to him; the date this change will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following a re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £44.95 weekly derived from the profit from land and from capital. Accordingly, his rate of unemployment assistance was reduced from £37.65 on 24 November 1982 and he is at present in receipt of £21.95 weekly. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the appeals officer also assessed his means at £44.95 and he was notified accordingly.
476.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of a company (details supplied) in County Galway making a number of its employees redundant, he will direct his Department to pay maximum unemployment benefits and arrears to them; the weekly amount they will receive; the total arrears they will receive; the date on which they will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The entitlement of the persons concerned to unemployment benefit and to pay-related benefit is governed by their contribution records and the amount of reckonable earnings paid by them during the relevant contribution periods. All the persons named by the Deputy in the details supplied are at present in receipt of flat-rate unemployment benefit, but their entitlements to pay-related benefit are still being processed. The Deputy will be written to and furnished with the full details of their entitlements at the earliest opportunity.
477.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit for the period 15 to 25 July 1983 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 March 1983 and was paid to 13 July 1983 after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He subsequently reported the non-receipt of a cheque for the period from 7 July to 13 July 1983 which was issued to him on 14 July 1983. An inspector of the Department called on the claimant concerning the matter and on examination of the cheque the person concerned indicated that he did not wish to pursue the matter any further.
478.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on a claim for unemployment benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned is not qualified for unemployment benefit on the basis of his Irish contribution record. He claimed unemployment benefit while resident in Great Britain and his entitlement to benefit and to a transfer of benefit from the date he returned to this country is a matter to be determined by the British authorities under the provisions of EEC Regulations. He has been notified accordingly. He claimed unemployment assistance from this Department pending a decision on his case by the Minister for Health and Social Security, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, but he later withdrew his application.
479.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons disability benefit on a continuing basis has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid since the termination of the disability benefit even though she has been signing since September, 1983; the amount of disability benefit and/or unemployment assistance arrears that will be paid; the weekly amount of either that will be paid immediately; the dates on which these amounts will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The entitlement of a married woman to unemployment benefit is limited to 312 days of benefit in a period of interruption of employment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 13 September 1982 and she exhausted 312 days of benefit on 21 September 1983. She will not requalify for unemployment benefit until she resumes insurable employment for at least 13 weeks. She ceased to sign as unemployed on 7 November 1983 and has not been in touch with her local office since that date. She was, however, underpaid an amount of £18.20 as she was incorrectly rated for unemployment benefit at £26.25 weekly instead of £26.95 weekly. Arrangements have been made to issue the arrears due to her this week.
480.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if there are any proposals for a rebate of PRSI in respect of new employees who are employed by small businesses.
There are no proposals of this kind by my Department.
481.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason PRSI was not paid from 2 February to 21 June 1983 at the rate of 80 per cent of her earnings to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; the reason PRSI payments to this person were terminated on 21 June; and if his Department will accept that failure on the part of her employer (details supplied) to provide her with a P45 denied her benefits from 22 December 1982 to 19 January 1983.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 19 January 1983 and as she satisfied the contribution conditions she was paid at the maximum weekly flat-rate of £27.80. She was entitled to pay-related benefit at £31.24 weekly from 2 February 1983 at £19.53 from 4 April 1983 and at £15.62 from 20 July 1983 and combined payments of flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit continued to be made to her until 24 January 1984, when she exhausted her entitlement to unemployment benefit as a married woman on the completion of 312 days. The rate of pay-related benefit payable to her was governed by her reckonable earnings during the relevant income tax period, 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982, and was not affected by the 85 per cent limitation applicable to the average net weekly earnings of an unemployment benefit applicant. She did not claim unemployment benefit from this Department during the period, 22 December 1982 to 18 January 1983.
482.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The regulations provide that the claimant, apart from satisfying the contribution conditions, must be regarded as permanently incapable of work, in order to qualify for invalidity pension. The person concerned was examined on 23 November 1983 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred again for a further examination in six months' time.
His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of this further examination. In the meantime he continues to receive disability benefit at the maximum rate of £34.80 appropriate to a single man.
483.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if regular weekly payments of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit for a period of six weeks from 9 January 1984 following his failure to attend for examination by a medical referee. He has since submitted medical evidence that he was unfit to attend for examination on the date specified and the disallowance has been waived. All benefit payable to date has been issued to the claimant.
484.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal against the disallowance of unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Cavan.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means from his wife's earnings and from land exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim but following further inquiries an appeals officer also deemed his means to be in excess of the statutory limit. He was notified accordingly on 5 January 1984.
485.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for an increase in the small farmers allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned did not make an appeal to date. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £35.15, £73.60 being the maximum rate less means £38.45. The means are derived from land. It is open to him to appeal by obtaining an appeal form at his local office.
486.
(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 13 October 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of his appeal on 24 January 1984 the appeals officer upheld the decision that the person concerned was not available for employment.
487.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will direct his Department to pay unemployment assistance in this very deserving case; the weekly amount he will be paid; the total arrears that will be paid; the date on which he will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 18 January 1984 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. When the inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.