asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payments of unemployment assistance will be reviewed for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
553.
The means of the person concerned were assessed on the basis of his earnings from self-employment from fishing. Following recent investigations of his case by a social welfare officer his earnings were estimated at £2.50 weekly, this resulted in a loss of 20p per week in the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. He is accordingly in receipt of £26.90 weekly being the maximum rate, £29.40 less means of £2.50.
It is open to him to apply for a further review of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office on receipt of which his case will be reinvestigated and the amount of means assessed against him will be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
554.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in giving a decision on the application for a free telephone rental allowance made to his Department by a person (details supplied) in Rathkeale, County Limerick.
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.
The person concerned is residing with his wife and he was therefore requested to furnish a medical certificate in respect of her. The required medical evidence was received on 17 May 1984. His application was approved on 18 May 1984 and the allowance will be applied from the date on which telephone service is provided.
555.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is having a further deduction taken from his pension without any consultation following overpayment by his Department in error five or six years ago; and if he will be agreeable to allow the original deduction of £1 only per week to remain.
The person concerned was awarded an old age contributory pension at the maximum rate, including an adult dependant's increase in respect of his wife, from 29 March 1974. His wife claimed and was awarded a retirement pension in her own right from 2 May 1975. The increase for an adult dependant inadvertently continued to be paid to the person concerned up to 12 July 1979. It should have been withdrawn when his wife was awarded a retirement pension.
The total overpayment to 12 July 1979 amounted to £2,069.85 and recovery commenced, with the pensioner's agreement, by a deduction of £1 per week from his personal rate of pension. In view of the increase in the maximum personal rate of old age contributory pension from £18.60 in July 1979 to £45.10 at present an increase of £0.40 in the rate of deduction was put into effect from 6 April 1984. The revised rate of deduction, £1.40 per week, equals 3 per cent of his present weekly rate. The £1.00 per week agreed in 1979 equalled 5 per cent of the rate then payable. In the circumstances the revised deduction of £1.40 per week is not considered to be excessive.
556.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis for the payment of only £28.30 unemployment benefit which includes pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 5 March 1984 to 5 May 1984 after which he ceased to sign as unemployed. His claim was allowed at the weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit £32.25 and pay-related benefit at £2.65 weekly payable from the 19th day of unemployment. During the period of his claim he signed off on six intermittent days and was not paid benefit in respect of those days.
It was recently ascertained from inquiries made that the person concerned was an unemployed apprentice and that he attended at a vocational college on the six days for which he signed off. Further inquiries are being made to ascertain if he was a registered apprentice attending a course relating to his apprenticeship and if this proves to be the case he will be paid unemployment benefit for the six days in question.
557.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is normal practice to reduce unemployment benefit payable to an unemployed apprentice who is continuing to attend a VEC apprenticeship course on one day per week; and if so, if he will arrange to discontinue this practice.
Apprentices who become unemployed and entitled to unemployment benefit before they complete their apprenticeship and who attend a vocational college for apprenticeship training or instruction under the auspices of AnCO may continue to receive unemployment benefit for any days on which they attend such a course.
558.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of disability benefit and arrears will be restored to a person (details supplied) in Croagh, County Limerick.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed for a period of six weeks from 19 March 1984 following his failure to attend for examination by a medical referee. He subsequently submitted medical evidence for the date specified and the disallowance was waived. All benefit payable to date has been issued to the claimant.
559.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a prescribed relative allowance and a free electricity allowance have been refused to a person (details supplied) in Ardara, County Donegal.
One of the conditions for receipt of a prescribed relative allowance is that the applicant must be receiving full-time care and attention from a prescribed relative. An application from the person concerned for a prescribed relative allowance in respect of his daughter was disallowed by a deciding officer on 16 April 1984 on the grounds that she could not be regarded as providing him with full-time care and attention. The daughter is receiving unemployment assistance on the basis that she is available for full-time employment.
The free electricity allowance which applied to the account of the person concerned was terminated with effect from 1 February 1984 on the grounds that the "living alone" condition of the scheme was no longer satisfied in his case. His daughter, with whom he resides, ceased to be an excepted person for the purposes of satisfying the living alone condition when she became entitled to unemployment assistance.
560.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant a free telephone rental allowance to a person (details supplied) in Coachford, County Cork.
A free telephone rental allowance cannot be granted to the person concerned as he is not in receipt of a qualifying pension or allowance. He was notified to this effect on 6 March 1984.
561.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant a free telephone rental allowance to a person (details supplied) in Mallow, County Cork.
In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance an applicant must be living alone, or only with children under the age of 15 years or other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in an emergency.
The person concerned was requested on 7 March 1984 to furnish a medical certificate in respect of his wife, with whom he resides, but has not done so to date. When this medical evidence is received his application will be considered and he will be notified of the outcome.
562.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will sanction the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in Newmarket, County Cork.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 14 March 1984 to 14 April 1984 on the grounds that she lost her employment through circumstances within her own control. She continued to sign as unemployed and following the completion of further inquiries her claim was disallowed from 16 April 1984 on the grounds that she was not available for work.
She has appealed against the two disallowances of her unemployment benefit claim. Her cases have been referred to an appeals officer for determination and arrangements are being made to have a hearing of her appeal at the earliest opportunity. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
563.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Charleville, County Cork, as he has not received any payment since January 1983.
Availability for work is a condition of entitlement to unemployment assistance and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment. The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 24 May 1982 and his application was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for work. He appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of his case on 27 July 1983. The appeals officer also disallowed the application.
He again applied for unemployment assistance on 28 July 1983 and his application was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for work. He appealed against this disallowance and following an oral hearing of his case on 12 December 1983 the appeals officer again disallowed the application.
He applied again for unemployment assistance on 13 December 1983 and following the completion of further investigations his claim was allowed from 13 December 1983. He is at present in receipt of weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £38.25 being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £55.55 less £17.30 means.
564.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who applied for unemployment benefit has been refused on the basis that she needs 156 stamps as she has 151 stamps as a married person and also a further four years stamps during 19611965 as a single person.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 12 April 1983 to 9 April 1984. Payment ceased after that date as she had less than the required minimum of 156 paid contributions registered since her entry into insurable employment to entitle her to further payment.
She had indicated in April 1983, when she claimed disability benefit, that she had not been insurably employed prior to 1979 and as the 151 paid contributions registered were in respect of employment from 1980 to 1983 it was considered that investigation of her insurable employment for periods prior to that was not required. However, in view of the details furnished by the Deputy it is now proposed to have an officer of the Department investigate her employment for the years 1961 to 1965 and her entitlement to further payment will be reviewed on completion of the investigation.
565.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 was refused unemployment benefit on the grounds that she is not available for work, when she is a single person who recently lost her employment, and is clearly available for work.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 14 March 1984 to 14 April 1984 on the grounds that she lost her employment through circumstances within her own control. She continued to sign as unemployed and following the completion of further inquiries her claim was disallowed from 16 April 1984 on the grounds that she was not available for work.
She has appealed against the two disallowances of her unemployment benefit claim. Her cases have been referred to an appeals officer for determination and arrangements are being made to have a hearing of her appeal at the earliest opportunity. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
566.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was withdrawn in the case of a person (details supplied) in Arranmore Island, County Donegal.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 13 December 1983 when this claim was disallowed following failure to fully disclose his means to a social welfare officer reinvestigating his case. He appealed against the decision and following further reinvestigation by a social welfare officer, an appeals officer determined his means as nil.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £92.35 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him. He has received all arrears due to him which were paid on 1 May 1984 and weekly payments continue to be made as they become due.
567.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Newmarket, County Cork, has not yet been paid his old age contributory pension as he applied last January.
There is no record of receipt of a claim for old age contributory pension from the person concerned. A claim form has been issued to him and his entitlement to the pension will be examined when the completed form is returned to the Department.
The insurance numbers quoted by the Deputy do not refer to the person concerned and he has therefore been asked to quote his correct RSI number and social insurance number on the claim form. His RSI number is shown on income tax forms P60 or P45.
568.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears or disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 13 January 1984. He was paid at the maximum single rate from 21 January 1984 fourth day of incapacity to 26 January 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received at that time. There is no record in the Department of any further medical certificates having been received since 26 January 1984.
569.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision on a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Castleblayney, County Monaghan.
The person concerned has been in receipt of widow's non-contributory pension since the death of her husband in 1981. She is currently getting £31.85 per week which is the appropriate rate for a widow under 66 years with no qualified children and whose weekly means exceed £10 but do not exceed £12. Her weekly means derived from a ? intestacy interest in a holding which belonged to her late husband, were assessed at £11.54.
Following receipt of a letter from the claimant requesting an increase in her pension a social welfare officer was requested to reinvestigate her circumstances. An interim report recently received stated that inquiries regarding the sale and purchase of some land were not yet completed. When the officer's report is received the claim will be reviewed and the widow will be notified of the outcome.
570.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Edenderry, County Offaly, for the past six weeks.
Payment of all disability benefit to the person concerned from 18 May 1983, the first day of incapacity to 7 May 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, was issued on 18 May 1984. The delay in payment of benefit was caused by an administrative error in completing his insurance record for 1981-82 and 1982-83 contribution years on which his entitlement to benefit depended.
571.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in Borris, County Carlow.
The maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance is only payable to an applicant whose means are assessed by an appeals officer with means at £44.20 weekly derived from self-employment as a hay-shed erector. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £25.95 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £70.15 less £44.20 and weekly payments at this rate are being made to him as they become due.
572.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when children's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Muinebheag, County Carlow.
A payable order in respect of children's allowance due in this case up to March 1983, when the child in question reached 18 years of age, is in the course of issue. The claimant is currently in receipt of £11.25 children's allowance per month which is the correct rate for one qualified child.
573.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in Bagenalstown, County Carlow will be transferred from disability benefit to an invalidity pension.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at regular weekly intervals and payment has been made 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.
574.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the social welfare assistance of a person (details supplied) in Recess, County Galway had been reduced; and if he will afford him a further opportunity to appeal the decision.
Following reinvestigation of his means by a social welfare officer the means of the person concerned were increased to £25.00 weekly derived from land. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance of £25.75 being the maximum rate payable to him £50.75 less £25.00 and weekly payments are being made to him as they become due. It is open to him to appeal against the amount of means assessed against him and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
575.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason £9.35 is being deducted from the social welfare assistance of a person (details supplied) in Gort, County Galway for the past 6 months; and if he will give him an opportunity to appeal this decision.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance from 6 January 1984 and following investigation by a social welfare officer he was assessed with means of £9.25 per week, derived from the capital value of a house not used. He was accordingly entitled to payment of unemployment assistance at £18.75 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £28.00 less means of £9.25. He recently changed his address and returned to reside in the house which he was not previously using. He also appealed against the means assessment of £9.25 weekly derived from the value of the house not personally used by him.
His means were revised to £1 weekly derived from the letting of land. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £27 weekly with effect from 11 April 1984 and all arrears due will be paid this week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due. Arrangements are being made to have the assessment of his means in respect of the period of his claim for unemployment assistance prior to 11 April 1984 determined by an appeals officer. The rate of unemployment assistance payable in respect of that period will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
576.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in Navan, County Meath, will receive payment of two weeks' occupational injury benefit due since 8 June 1982.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 5 June 1982, fourth day of incapacity to 3 August 1982, after which date he was certified as fit to resume work. He reported non-receipt of a cheque which was issued on 6 August 1982 in payment for the period 28 July 1982 to 3 August 1982. A replacement cheque was issued on 31 August 1982. In order to clarify the position arrangements are being made for an inspector of the Department to visit the claimant.
577.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Navan, County Meath, as she has been signing for benefit since August 1983.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries to establish that her employment during a period from 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 was insurable at a class of contribution which provided cover against unemployment. Following the completion of these inquiries her employment was ruled insurable at Class J1 which gives cover for occupational injuries benefit only. She was notified accordingly and her claim to unemployment benefit was disallowed.
She appealed against this decision, and the appeals officer also decided that her employment was insurable at Class J. She was notified of the appeals officer's decision. She ceased to sign as unemployed after 11 April 1984.
578.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to person (details supplied) in Drogheda, County Louth.
The person concerned was paid maternity allowance from 22 August 1983 to 12 November 1983. She then claimed disability benefit and payment has been issued for the period from 14 November 1983 to 14 May 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received. She is not entitled to pay-related benefit as the amount of disability benefit payable exceeds her average reckonable weekly earnings in the 1981-82 tax year which governs entitlement to pay-related benefit.
579.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite approval of a prescribed relative allowance for a person (details supplied) in Ballinasloe, County Roscommon.
One of the conditions for receipt of a prescribed relative allowance is that the applicant must be receiving full-time care and attention from a prescribed relative. An application from the person concerned for a prescribed relative allowance in respect of her son was disallowed by a deciding officer on 26 April 1984 on the grounds that he could not be regarded as providing her with full-time care and attention. The son is receiving unemployment assistance on the basis that he is available for full-time employment.
Recent representations made by the Deputy on the pensioner's behalf have been accepted as an appeal against the deciding officer's decision and the case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in the near future.
580.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a decision regarding an appeal for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in Cornafulla, County Roscommon.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment assistance as the means assessed against him, £30.15 weekly derived from land exceeds the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further investigations. When these are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
581.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance and a free electricity allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Mitchelstown, County Cork.
There is no record of receipt of an application for a living alone allowance nor a free electricity allowance from the person concerned. The local social welfare officer has been asked to investigate his entitlement to a living alone allowance and a decision will be made when the investigation is completed. A claim form for a free electricity allowance has been issued to the person concerned and, when completed, he should send it to the local office of the ESB.
582.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Mitchelstown, County Cork; and if he will have it backdated to the time he was transferred.
There is no trace either in the Department or in the district ESB office of an application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned in respect of his new residence. An application form has therefore been issued to him and it should be completed and forwarded in the first instance to the ESB for attention. On receipt of the completed application in the Department, a decision will be given.
583.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Doneraile, County Cork.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 16 December 1983 that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension as her means were not fully disclosed. If the person concerned is now prepared to give full details of her means she should notify the Department to that effect and her case will be reinvestigated.
584.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in Mallow, County Cork, as he has been making applications for the past 12 months.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment as a plasterer and from his wife's income exceeded the statutory limit. He did not appeal this decision. He recently applied for a review of his means and the case has been referred again to a social welfare officer to pursue inquiries. When these are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
585.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having a pension book returned to a person (details supplied) in Halfway House, County Waterford.
The husband of the person concerned is a patient in the local hospital. The administrator of the hospital has been appointed agent to collect his old age contributory pension on his behalf and this is being retained by the hospital authorities towards the cost of his maintenance in the hospital, less an amount of £12 per week given to the patient for his own use. The person concerned is in receipt of a separate noncontributory old age pension in her own right and has her own pension book.
586.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Kildorrery, County Cork, as she applied eight weeks ago; if outstanding arrears will be paid to her; and the reason for the delay.
The person concerned whose husband died on 21 March 1984 claimed a widow's pension on 11 April 1984. She has been awarded a widow's contributory pension at the weekly rate of £51.50 with effect from Friday 4 May 1984. This is the maximum rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years with one qualified child. It will be increased to £55.10 per week from 6 July next.
Her late husband had been in receipt of invalidity pension of £74.70 per week which included an increase in respect of his wife and child and payment of this pension was continued to her for six weeks after his death, in place of widow's pension. A pension order book payable from 4 May 1984 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
587.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Kilworth, County Cork; and the reason for the delay.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned has been in continuous receipt of unemployment assistance since 25 April 1983. The present rate of unemployment assistance payable to him is £7 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £28 less £21 means. In his case the means are derived from the benefit of a deed of maintenance.
588.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Buttevant, County Cork, is in receipt of only £15.60 old age pension; and if he will have this amount increased to the maximum rate.
It was decided by the pension committee on 26 August 1983 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £10.60 plus £3 living alone allowance from 5 August 1983. This is the rate of pension to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of the weekly value of her British retirement pension.
589.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason free electricity was not granted to a person (details supplied) in Buttevant, County Cork; and the reason they did not take into account his handicapped son of eighteen years who resides with him.
An application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned was disallowed as, from the information available, his son, who is resident with him, was not a person who comes within the expected categories for satisfying the living alone condition of the scheme.
There was no indication on his application to suggest that his son is handicapped but as this now appears to be the case, the applicant has been asked to submit supporting medical evidence to the Department. When this has been received his entitlement to a free electricity allowance will be reviewed and he will be notified of the outcome.
590.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Midleton, County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 November 1982 and was paid a total of 52 weeks benefit to 11 November 1983 based on his insurance record in the 1980-1981 contribution year. From 11 November 1983 his entitlement to disability benefit depended on his 1981-1982 insurance record and payment ceases from that date as according to the records of the Department he had no contributions paid or credited in that year.
There is no record of any medical certificates having been received from 10 November 1983 until 6 March 1984. When further medical evidence was received in March 1984 a new claim to benefit was opened and payment based on the 1982-1983 contribution year, was issued from 9 March 1984, the fourth day of incapacity to 7 May 1984, date of the latest medical certificate received. Following inquiries it was established that he had sufficient contributions in the 1981-1982 year to entitle him to continuous payment of benefit and on receipt of medical evidence for the period 12 November 1983 to 6 March 1984 payment of all benefit outstanding for the period from 11 November 1983 to 8 March 1984 has been issued, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the health board for the same period.
591.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age noncontributory pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Kinsale, County Cork, as his application was submitted to his Department in November 1983.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the weekly rate of £14.60 has been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 20 January 1984. 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.
The appropriate pension book payable from 6 April 1984 has been issued on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision and a payable order covering the arrears due in respect of the period 20 January 1984 to 5 April 1984 is being issued separately. The delay in dealing with this application was due to the fact that the social welfare officer had to await details regarding the letting of part of the holding.
592.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the appeal of a person (details supplied) in Milltown, County Kerry, against the decision to refuse to pay him disability benefit having regard to the fact that he became seriously ill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability to the person concerned was disallowed from 7 March 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and in connection with his appeal arrangements were made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 23 May 1984. His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
593.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position regarding an application for a substantial increase in his unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in Killarney, County Kerry; and the present position in relation to his appeal on this matter.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £42.30 weekly derived from the profit from his land. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means at £42.30 weekly. He was notified accordingly on 22 February 1984. Weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £31.30 being the maximum rate payable to him £73.60 less £42.30 means continue to be made to him as they become due.
594.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position regarding an application for an increase in his unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in Killarney, County Kerry; the present position in relation to his appeal against the decision to reduce the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was last assessed with means at £48.25 by a deciding officer. His means were derived from the profit from his land. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £32.05 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £80.30 less £48.25 and weekly payments are being made to him as they become due. He has not to date appealed against the amount of means assessed against him although advised of his right to do so. It is, however, still open to him to appeal and a form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
595.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon.
An appeals officer assessed the person concerned with means in excess of the statutory limit and his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed with effect from 4 May 1983. His means are derived from land and from capital and he applied for a review of the amount assessed against him. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. The investigations were recently completed after which a deciding officer assessed means as being in excess of the statutory limit of £4,053.40 with effect from 19 December 1983. It is however open to him to appeal against the latest assessment of his means and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
596.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons that a person (details supplied) in Loughrea, County Galway has not been paid his unemployment assistance despite the fact that he has been signing for a long period of time; the total weekly payment that he will receive; the total amount of arrears that he will be paid; the date on which these payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his land exceeded the statutory limit which in his case is £4,053.40. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal against the decision. A form on which to appeal may be obtained from his local office.
597.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Carron, County Clare since November 1983; despite the fact that he has been signing and has no property or assets whatever; the reasons for the delay in making the necessary payments; the weekly amount to be paid; the total amount of arrears to be paid; the date on which all these payments will be made — both weekly and arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 9 November 1983 on the grounds that his means of £30 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgerreen ing in a friend's home exceeded the rate payable to him. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. He has been granted an oral hearing of his case which will take place next week. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
598.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment benefit/assistance at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in Tuam, County Galway; the total amount of arrears that will be paid; the weekly increase that he will receive; the date on which these payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned has been assessed with means of £27.05 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging on his parents' holding. He is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £2.35 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £29.40 less £27.05 means. He was paid all arrears amounting to £27.70 on 17 April 1984. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtainted at his local office.
599.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Enniscorthy, County Wexford will have an appeal in relation to dependant's allowance for unemployment benefit; and if the person will have an appeal upheld.
The person concerned claimed an increase in the rate of unemployment benefit payable to her on the grounds that her husband and children were her dependants. Following the completion of inquiries her claim for an increase in the rate of unemployment benefit payable to her was refused.
She appealed against the decision in her case and arrangements have been made to hold an oral hearing of her appeal next week. Her entitlement to an increase in the rate of unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
600.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in New Ross, County Wexford.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at regular weekly intervals and payment has been made 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.
601.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payments of deserted wife's allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in New Ross, County Wexford.
One of the qualifying conditions for receipt of deserted wife's allowance/benefit by a claimant under 40 years of age is that she must have at least one qualified child residing with her. This condition is not satisfied by the person concerned who is 33 years of age. Her claim has therefore been disallowed and she has been notified accordingly.
602.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payment of unemployment benefit will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in Enniscorthy, County Wexford; and if so, when.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for payment of unemployment benefit. He claimed benefit on 5 March 1984 but as he has less than 26 contribution weeks registered in the relevant contribution period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 his claim was disallowed.
He appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment benefit claim but an appeals officer also decided that he did not satisfy the contribution condition and upheld the disallowance. He was advised of his right to claim unemployment assistance but declined to do so.
603.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Gorey, County Wexford; and if so, when.
Following the completion of investigations a deciding officer decided that in the absence of specific efforts to find employment the person concerned was not available for work and her unemployment benefit claim was disallowed last week. If she is dissatisfied with the decision in her case it is open to her to appeal and to have her case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
604.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an appeal against a decision to reduce his social welfare assistance made by a person (details supplied) in Oranmore, County Galway.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £25 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. He appealsed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer reduced the assessment of his means to £19 weekly with effect from 5 January 1983.
He was accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £9 weekly from 5 January 1983, increased to £10.40 from 5 October 1983 and all arrears due to him were paid on 6 December 1983. Weekly payments of £10.40 continue to be made to him as they become due.
605.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will issue to a person (details supplied) in Athenry, County Galway.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of pension at the weekly rate of £26.60 has been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 20 March 1984, date claimant reached 66 years. This is the rate appropriate to the assessment of her means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding and her husband's forestry pension.
The appropriate pension book payable from 6 April 1984 has been issued on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision and a payable order covering the arrears due in respect of the period 20 March 1984 to 5 April 1984 is being issued separately.
606.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in New Ross, County Wexford.
All disability benefit payable for the periods 2 December 1983 to 14 January 1984 and 30 January 1984 to 7 April 1984, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, was issued on 9 May 1984 to the person concerned. Disability benefit payable for the period 16 January 1984 to 28 January 1984, when the claimant was hospitalised, was issued on 6 February 1984.
607.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Pettigo, County Donegal.
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 maximum rate has now been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 2 May 1984, date claimant reached 66 years. The appropriate pension book payable from 4 May 1984 has been issued on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision. The delay in dealing with this claim was due to a clerical error.
608.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of disability benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in Ballybofey, County Donegal.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 13 February 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the decision and in connection with her appeal arrangements are being made to have her examined by a different medical referee at an early date. Her entitlement to further payment will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
609.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in Kilmallock, County Limerick who is presently unemployed has not been paid social insurance by his Department due to the fact that his former employer has not paid his stamps for him even though they were deducted; and the reason he considers that this person should be denied what he is entitled to.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries about his employment record were completed by reason of his employers failure to return details of his contributions during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. The investigation has recently been completed and the contributions for the period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 which were not paid have been treated as paid for the purposes of his unemployment benefit claim. His claim is allowed at the maximum rate payable to him of £34.80 weekly.
Arrangements have been made for the immediate payment of unemployment benefit to him less the amount of unemployment assistance which was advanced to him pending a decision on his unemployment benefit claim. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
610.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a children's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
There is no trace of the receipt in the Department of a claim for children's allowance from the person concerned. An application form has accordingly been issued to him for completion. When the form is returned to the Department with the necessary documentation the claim will be decided and any allowance due will be issued promptly.