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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 1984

Vol. 349 No. 9

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

489.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.

Following a review of her case the means of the person concerned were assessed at £8.65 weekly, derived from land, with effect from 29 June 1983. She appealed against the decision and an appeals officer determined her means at £2.50 weekly. She is accordingly currently in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £26.90 being the appropriate maximum rate in her case of £29.40 less means £2.50. Weekly payments of £26.90 will continue to be made as they become due.

490.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an application for a free telephone allowance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway was refused.

In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance an applicant must be living alone or only with children under 15 years of age or other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in an emergency.

From the medical evidence furnished, the applicant's wife with whom he resides is not so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in an emergency. Accordingly, the conditions for a free telephone rental allowance are not satisfied in this case.

491.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the unemployment benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway for the past two years as he claims he has been underpaid approximately £7 per week.

The person concerned has been assessed with means of £5.80 per week derived from capital. The means assessed against him had been deducted from the maximum rate of unemployment assistance applicable in his case and he had been receiving £67.80 (£73.60 less means £5.80) when he ceased to sign the unemployed register on 25 February 1984.

492.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason only £15.60 per week non-contributory old age pension is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will review the situation as she has no other means.

Following a review of the old age pension entitlement of the person concerned, it was found that she had means from capital which were not disclosed at the time of the original investigation. She was overpaid pension amounting to £566 as a result.

The latest assessment of her means consisting of the income from the letting of a holding and the weekly value of capital entitle her to a pension of £16.60 a week plus £3 living alone allowance. The amount overpaid is being recovered by withholding £4 a week from this entitlement and a pension of £15.60 a week is, accordingly, being paid to her.

An overpayment of £397.60 has also occurred on her late husband's claim which she is liable to repay as his personal representative. Repayment of this sum has been requested but a reply to that request has not yet been received.

493.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was cut off her free electricity allowance when she moved house; and when the case will be reviewed.

One of the conditions for receipt of a free electricity allowance is that the applicant must be living alone and if living with another person the latter must be an excepted person for the purposes of the scheme.

The person concerned re-applied for a free electricity allowance when she moved residence. As a result of this application, investigations were made and it has now been ascertained that her son is in receipt of unemployment benefit on the basis that he is capable of genureassessed at £55.75 weekly derived employment. He is not for this reason an excepted person for the purposes of the free electricity scheme and the person concerned does not satisfy the conditions for receipt of an allowance.

494.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the free travel passes given to handicapped people do not extend to their parents or guardians; if he is further aware that in most cases this omission renders these passes useless to their holderes; and if he intends to do anything to rectify this anomaly.

The free travel scheme applies to all persons aged 66 and over, to blind persons aged 18 and over and to persons receiving social welfare type payments as permanently incapacitated persons. In addition, the spouses of married pass-holders may travel free when accompanying the holder of a free travel pass.

There is no provision in the scheme for free travel for a person accompanying a pass-holder other than a spouse. Extension of the scheme in the manner suggested by the Deputy would have significant cost implications and there are no plans for such an extension in present circumstances.

495.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit and arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

Following a hearing of her appeal payment of benefit for the period from 31 October 1983 to 24 February 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, was issued on 6 April 1984 to the person concerned.

496.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; when pay-related benefit will be sanctioned; and from what date.

The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit from 3 December 1983, following the receipt of occupational injury benefit for the statutory period of 26 weeks. All disability benefit due to 28 March 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued. The claimant is not entitled to payment of pay-related benefit as he had insufficient earnings in the governing 1981-82 income tax year.

497.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.

The person concerned is a landholder who claimed unemployment benefit on 2 January 1984. He does not satisfy the condition as a landholder of having not fewer than 78 employment contributions paid in the previous three years and inquiries are being made to establish whether he satisfies the alternative condition of having an income from his land of not more than £2 a day. When the inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined.

498.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a new appeal will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who is applying for unemployment benefit, in view of the new evidence submitted on her behalf.

The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 4 January 1984 was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed against the disallowance and was notified to attend the oral hearing of her appeal. She did not attend the hearing and the appeals officer decided summarily that she had not satisfied the condition of being available for employment. She subsequently requested a further appeal hearing on the grounds that she had not received the notification to attend the oral hearing of her appeal.

Arrangements have been made to have her appeal heard shortly. In the meantime, she made a repeat claim to unemployment benefit on 2 April 1984 and payment has been authorised at the appropriate maximum weekly rate in her case of £30.60. Further payments of £30.60 will continue to be made as they become due.

499.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as she is already in receipt of her quota of free electricity units.

The person concerned has been awarded a living alone allowance of £3 per week with effect from 30 March 1984, the date she reached 66 years of age, increasing to £3.20 per week from 6 July 1984. A pension order book payable from 6 April 1984 has been sent to the post office of payment for collection by the claimant and she has been notified accordingly.

The one week's arrears for the period 30 March 1984 to 5 April 1984 will be sent direct to her shortly by payable order.

500.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was disallowed for a person (details supplied) in County Cork when she was under the care of a consultant at Cork Regional Hospital and, in fact, is still in hospital.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 8 August 1983 and payment was issued from 11 August 1983 (fourth day of incapacity) to 26 November 1983.

Payment was disallowed from 28 November 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance of payment and in connection with her appeal she was examined on 20 January 1984 by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

Her case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. In his decision of 6 April 1984 the appeals officer decided that the claimant was incapable of work from 28 November 1983 and was entitled to payment of disability benefit from that date. Payment of all benefit due for the period from 28 November 1983 to 3 April 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.

501.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the non-payment of pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 as his employment was terminated on 31 December 1983 after 30 years of full employment during which he contributed fully to social insurance; and if he is aware that the person concerned is a father of a young family and is in receipt of only £74.85 per week since he became unemployed.

The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 19 December 1983 was authorised at the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £74.85. In the case of pay-related benefit the sum of flat-rate unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and income tax refund paid may not exceed 85 per cent of the average weekly net earnings from the previous 6 April. The 85 per cent limit in his case was £73.53. He is not therefore entitled to pay-related benefit. Weekly payments of £74.85 will continue to be made as they become due.

502.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.

Following a review of his case the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £55.75 weekly derived from land, with effect from 15 February 1984. He was accordingly paid unemployment assistance at £11.15 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £66.90 less means £55.75. He appealed against the decision and the appeals officer also determined his weekly means at £55.75.

503.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will issue an invalidity pension book to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he suffers from a permanent disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 13 February 1981 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 pemanently incapable of work. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 18 April 1984. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.

504.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in restoring unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if it will be restored at the maximum rate.

The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance was disallowed from 1 June 1983 on the grounds that he failed to disclose his means when his case was being reviewed. He re-applied and following the completion of inquiries into his means unemployment assistance was authorised at £6.10 weekly from 1 June 1983 increased to £9.25 from 5 October 1983, being the appropriate maximum rates in his case of £63.75 and £66.90 respectively less means £57.65 derived from land. All arrears due will be paid to him this week. Further weekly payments of £9.25 will continue to be made as they become due.

505.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is receiving her share (of £22.55) of her husband's disability benefit so irregularly as she is separated from her husband and has a court order on her maintenance; if there is any other arrangement, either benefit or assistance, that would be more satisfactory and which would allow her more to live on; and if he considers £22.55 reasonable or possible to exist upon.

The person concerned has been paid the adult dependant portion of her husband's disability benefit from 8 April 1983 at the maximum rate of £22.55 a week.

There was a delay in issuing some payments in the period from 23 November 1983 to 13 March 1984. The matter has since been rectified and all benefit payable to date has been issued.

If the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs she should apply to her local community welfare officer for assistance.

506.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, as he has been signing for some time and is working only two days per week.

The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 20 January 1984 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.

507.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of non-contributory old age pension is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.

It was decided by the local pension committee on 19 December 1983 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £32.60 from 2 September 1983. 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 and capital.

However, payment of her old age pension (non-contributory) is not being implemented as her husband is already in receipt of a retirement pension from this Department which includes an adult dependant allowance in respect of her at the more favourable rate of £33.65.

508.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when free electricity will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly as he applied some time ago.

Application for a free electricity allowance, which was received from the wife of the person concerned on 13 March 1984, has been approved and the ESB has confirmed that the allowance will be applied to her electricity account from the March-April 1984 billing period onwards.

509.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.

The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 24 February 1984 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.

510.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was refused to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 despite a full two years employment insurance.

The person concerned was disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit for six weeks from 3 March 1984 on the grounds that she lost her employment through her own misconduct. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed at the end of the six weeks period of disqualification on 14 April 1984 and she will be advised of the decision in her case.

511.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 December 1983 to 19 December 1983. He was not qualified for benefit as he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid since his entry into insurable employment.

The claimant recently indicated however that he was previously employed in Holland and the United Kingdom and he has been requested to submit details of this employment.

On receipt of this information, inquiries will be made regarding his complete insurance record and his entitlement to benefit will be reviewed.

512.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath as he has been signing at Trim employment exchange since 13 December 1983.

The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 13 December 1983 was authorised at £52.25 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £63.75 less means £11.50 derived from the letting of land. All arrears due have been paid and weekly payments of £52.25 continue to be made as they become due.

513.

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 claimed disability benefit from 18 January 1984 to 31 March 1984, when she was certified fit to resume work.

Payment was not made initially on her claim as she had entered insurable employment in January 1983 and it was necessary to obtain details of her insurance record from that date to determine her entitlement to benefit.

All disability benefit due for the period from 21 January, the fourth day of incapacity to 31 March 1984, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Western Health Board, has been issued.

514.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be issued in an application for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.

The unemployment assistance application of the person concerned on 23 September 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land, capital and the capital value of a second house exceeded the statutory limit in his case of £3,387.80 a year.

When the appeal form issued to him recently is completed and returned to his local office his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.

515.

Mr. Coughlan

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 June 1983 to 8 October 1983 and from 13 March 1984 to date. She was not entitled to payment as according to the records of the Department she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions recorded for 1981-82 and 1982-83, the contribution years on which her entitlement to payment was based.

It has now been established that the claimant had sufficient contributions paid for 1981-82 and 1982-83 to qualify her for payment and all benefit due on her claim from 13 June 1983 to 8 October 1983 and from 16 March 1984, the fourth day of incapacity, to 29 March 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate, has been issued.

516.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford had his unemployment assistance reduced to £11.65 per week.

Following reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance application the means of the person concerned were assessed at £17.75 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents' home with effect from 21 March 1984. Unemployment assistance was accordingly authorised at £11.65 weekly being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £29.40 less means £17.75.

He appealed against the assessment of his means and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision. In the meantime weekly payments of £11.65 will continue to be made as they become due.

517.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has not been awarded a free telephone rental allowance as she and her husband live alone and he is permanently incapacitated.

In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance an applicant must be living entirely alone or only with children under 15 years of age or other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in an emergency.

The medical evidence furnished by the person concerned in respect of her husband, with whom she resides, does not establish that he is incapacitated to such a degree as to meet the requirements of the scheme. Her claim to free telephone rental allowance was, accordingly, refused.

If her husband's condition should deteriorate, it is open to her to renew her application for the allowance.

518.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he is signing since 10 January 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Following the completion recently of inquiries to establish his social insurance contribution record the claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit was authorised at the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £34.80.

All arrears due were paid to him last week. Further weekly payments of £34.80 will continue to be made as they become due.

519.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit for herself and three children at the maximum weekly rate of £75.40 from 29 December 1983.

An order book payable from 12 April 1984 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. A payable order in respect of arrears from 29 December 1983 to 11 April 1984, less deductions for supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the South-Eastern Health Board during that time, will be sent direct to her shortly.

520.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when extra benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

Following the completion of inquiries the claim of the person concerned on 15 February 1984 to an increase in unemployment benefit in respect of an additional child dependant has been authorised at the appropriate rate in his case of £6.40 weekly. All arrears due will be paid this week and further weekly payments of unemployment benefit of £84.35 including the additional child dependant allowance of £6.40 will continue to be made as they become due.

521.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if so when.

The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 23 April 1980 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. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 19 April 1984. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.

522.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Meath is entitled to any social welfare benefit.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 14 February 1984. She is entitled to payment at the rate of £31.15 per week, the amount appropriate to a single person who has a total of 31 contributions in the 1982-83 year, which governs the claim. She is also entitled to an additional £8.25 per week in respect of a child dependant.

Disability benefit has been issued at the weekly rate of £31.15 from 17 February 1984, the fourth day of the claim, to 27 March 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received. Payment was not made for her child as the claim form which was issued to her on 23 February 1984 to enable her to claim for her dependants was not returned to the Department.

Arrears of disability benefit due from 17 February 1984 to 27 March 1984, in respect of the child dependant, have been withheld and offset against the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Eastern Health Board for this period. Future payments of disability benefit will be made at the weekly rate of £39.40 on receipt of medical certificates while she remains unfit for work.

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