asked the Minister for Defence if there has been a reduction in the widow's allowance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and the reason for such a reduction.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
446.
Mr. Coughlan
There has been no reduction in the widow's allowance being paid under the Army Pensions Acts to the person referred to in the question. The allowance was, in fact, increased from £339 to £355 a year with effect from 1 September 1983 and from £355 to £366 a year with effect from 1 February 1984 by reference to the amounts of the first and second phase increases in the 1983 Public Service Pay Agreement. Arrears of allowance from 1 September 1983 were included in the January 1984 warrant and arrears from 1 February 1984 in the March 1984 warrant. This was explained in the payslip which accompanied the warrant.
447.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance payments will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 16 November 1983 on the grounds that his means, derived from land, exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but an appeals officer also decided that his means exceeded the statutory limit and his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed.
448.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 28 November 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him, it is open to him to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
449.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the maximum rate of unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned had been receiving unemployment benefit until 13 September 1983 when he completed 390 days. This is the maximum period for which unemployment benefit is payable. He then claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. He was assessed with means of £29.35 per week derived from capital and from a pension. As this amount exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance he was not entitled to assistance from 14 September 1983 but became entitled to a nominal rate of assistance from 5 October 1983 when the maximum rate was increased for those who had been unemployed for 15 months or more. He appealed against the assessment of his means but an appeals officer also assessed means at £29.35 per week and he was notified accordingly.
450.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit will not be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned is a landholder and a claimant to unemployment benefit who did not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 paid contributions in a three-year period. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of the income from his holding. Following the completion of inquiries, which revealed that the value of his holding exceeded £2 per day, his unemployment benefit claim was disallowed. He is, however, at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £18.90 being the maximum weekly rate payable to him, £70.15 less means £51.25.
451.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has been made on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 against a decision to terminate his unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance until 15 March 1983. Following an investigation of his case by a social welfare officer his claim was disallowed on 16 March 1983 on the grounds that he failed to disclose his means.
He appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim but an appeals officer also decided that he failed to disclose his means and upheld the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim. He was notified of the decision when he called to his local office in July 1983.
452.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department will restore deserted wife's allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 as there seems to be evidence now that she will requalify.
An appeal by the person concerned against the termination of her deserted wife's benefit was disallowed following an oral hearing of her case on 13 February last. The Deputy's question is, however, being taken as a renewed claim on her behalf.
The case has been referred to a local officer of the Department for a reinvestigation of her present circumstances. When inquiries are completed a decision will be given and she will be notified of the outcome without delay.
453.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
An applicant for unemployment benefit who is a landholder but does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 contributions paid in a three-year period is not entitled to unemployment benefit if the income from his holding exceeds £2 daily.
The person concerned is a landholder who does not satisfy the condition of having 78 paid contributions in the three-year period applicable to his claim. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of the income from his holding and inquiries are still being made in the matter. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the investigation.
454.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned failed to provide details of his RSI number when he lodged a claim to unemployment benefit and in the absence of details of his contribution record his entitlement to unemployment benefit cannot be determined. He has been requested to furnish full details of his employment record to enable his insurance record to be established and when he does so his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed.
He claimed unemployment assistance pending the outcome of his unemployment benefit claim and following the completion of inquiries he was assessed with nil means. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £28 weekly and arrangements have been made to commence payments this week. He was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance and when the amount to be recouped to his local health board is known the balance of any arrears of unemployment assistance due will be paid to him.
455.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason old age pension at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
456.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together as they relate to a husband and wife.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 23 February 1984 that the persons concerned were each entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £36.60 from 21 July 1983. This is the rate appropriate to the assessment of their means consisting of half the weekly value of capital. Pension at this rate is in payment to each of them.
457.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant must be fully available for work. To satisfy this condition an applicant must be capable of and genuinely seeking employment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 7 February 1984 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not making efforts to find work and accordingly she was not available for work. If she is dissatisfied with the decision in her case it is open to her to appeal and to have the matter determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
458.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the full rate of unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at the rate of £59.25 weekly, being the maximum rate payable, £66.90 less means £7.65, derived from self-employment. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer has reduced his means to nil. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £66.90 weekly and arrangements have been made to have all arrears due paid this week. Further weekly payments at £66.90 will be made as they become due.
459.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that injury benefit is refused to persons injured while engaged on AnCO courses at an AnCO training centre; and if he will state the grounds for such refusals.
Under the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts, an unemployed person who attends a course of training provided or approved by AnCO is legally deemed to be employed in employment which is insurable for occupational injuries benefits. Such a person, therefore, is covered for occupational injuries benefit in respect of any occupational accident or prescribed occupational disease resulting from such employment.
Inquiries were received from the Deputy on behalf of a claimant in County Wicklow who recently claimed injury benefit in respect of an alleged occupational accident in such circumstances. Investigation of the claim failed to confirm the occupational accident and the claim, therefore, was disallowed. The claimant has appealed against the decision and the appeal will be decided as soon as possible.
460.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a free electricity allowance will be restored to persons (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the fact that their daughter will be moving out of the home for employment purposes.
One of the conditions for receipt of a free electricity allowance is that the applicant must be either living alone or if living with another person the latter must be an excepted person for the purpose of the scheme.
The free electricity allowance which applied to the account of the persons concerned was terminated in February 1984 as their eldest daughter who is resident with them ceased to be an excepted person when she reached the age of 18 years.
When their daughter ceases to reside with them, they should re-apply for the allowance. Application forms for this purpose are available at post offices and ESB offices. On receipt of a completed application in the Department the case will be reviewed.
461.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the amount that he will receive.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 12 March 1984. His claim was allowed at the maximum flat rate unemployment benefit of £34.80 weekly and all arrears due were paid to him on 31 March 1984.
He is also entitled to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit at £20.90 weekly payable from 4 April 1984. Combined weekly payments at £55.70 will be made to him as they become due.
462.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for a non-contributory pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
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 £36.60 from 26 October 1983 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 earnings from self-employment and capital.
The appropriate pension book implementing the increase has issued on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision and the arrears of pension due will issue separately.
463.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is not being allowed claim in respect of his son on his injury benefit claim.
The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit since 3 December 1982 following payment of occupational injury benefit for the statutory period of 26 weeks. He is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £65.60, the maximum amount payable to a married couple with one dependent child. An increase of disability benefit is not payable in respect of a child who has attained 18 years of age.
464.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit/assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is a landholder and fisherman and an applicant for unemployment benefit. He did not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 paid contributions in a three-year period. Following the completion of inquiries which revealed that the value of his holding and business exceeded £2 per day his unemployment benefit claim was disallowed.
He appealed, but an appeals officer also assessed the value of his holding and business as being in excess of £2 daily and upheld the disallowance of his unemployment benefit claim. He applied for unemployment assistance and his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land and from fishing exceed the maximum rate payable.
He applied for a reinvestigation of his means and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. His means will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of these inquiries.
465.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given in relation to an unemployment assistance appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 16 August 1983 to 27 December 1983 and was assessed by an appeals officer with means of £14.40 per week derived from self-employment. He was, therefore, entitled to payment of £33.95 per week.
He re-applied for unemployment assistance on 12 January 1984 and requested that the assessment of his means be reviewed. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigations and when these are completed, the assessment of his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
In the meantime, he continues to receive weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £33.95.
466.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a maternity allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Maternity benefit is now in payment to the person concerned.
467.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrears of unemployment assistance are due to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of 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.
If he is dissatisfied with the deciding officer's decision it is open to him to appeal and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office. If he wishes to appeal he should also state whether he is now prepared to co-operate with the social welfare officer. He has not signed as unemployed at his local office since 6 March 1984.
468.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a prescribed relative allowance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned has been awarded a prescribed relative allowance at the rate of £21.60 per week with effect from 9 December 1983, as an addition to her widow's non-contributory pension. However, her means from her intestacy interest in her late husband's holding have now been re-assessed and increased from £3.50 to £11.53 per week with a consequent reduction in her pension from £38.60 to £32.60 per week from 6 April 1984. The latter is the rate of pension payable to a widow over 66 years of age with no qualified children whose weekly means exceed £10 but do not exceed £12.
A pension order book payable from that date at the rate of £54.20 per week, £32.60 plus £21.60 prescribed relative allowance and at £58.40 from 6 July 1984, to provide for increases effective from then, £35.30 plus £23.10, has been sent to the designated post office for collection by the claimant. Arrears of perscribed relative allowance for the period 9 December 1983 to 5 April 1984 will be sent direct to her within the next few days.
469.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit at the maximum rate appropriate to a married man from 10 December 1981, the fourth day of incapacity. Because of an administrative error there was a delay in payment since 12 March 1984. The matter has now been rectified and all benefits payable to date have been issued.