asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether pensioners and those on long term social welfare will receive their double payment for Christmas 1984 as in other years.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
549.
The cost of a double payment next Christmas to recipients of long-term welfare payments would be about £20 million. As in previous years no provision was made in the 1984 Estimates for such payment. However, a decision in the matter will be taken nearer the appropriate time.
550.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been disqualified from unemployment assistance.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him, derived from the profit from his land, exceeded the statutory limit in his case £2,961.40. He 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 inquiries. When these are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of his decision.
551.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the weekly sum of pay-related benefit, flat-rate unemployment benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of the net average weekly earnings of an applicant. The 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned is £79.30 and, as the weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit payable to him at present is £82.50 and as this amount exceeds the 85 per cent limit, he is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
552.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him £31.25 weekly, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. His means were derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents holding. He appealed against the decision in his case but an appeals officer also assessed his means at £31.25 weekly and he was notified accordingly on 22 May 1984.
553.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
It has been decided by the local pension committee that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the maximum weekly rate of £38.60 plus £19.40 adult dependant allowance with effect from 19 July 1983. The appropriate pension book payable from 11 May 1984 issued on 10 May 1984 and a payable order covering arrears for the period 19 July 1983 to 10 May 1984 was issued separately on 23 May.
554.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the big reduction in the unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Following a reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £25 weekly derived from the profit from his land. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer reduced the assessment of his means to £23 weekly with effect from 5 October 1983. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £6.40 weekly, being the maximum rate payable to him £29.40 less £23 means, and all arrears due to him have been paid. Further weekly payments of £6.40 continue to be made as they become due.
555.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned failed to disclose details of his means when previously claiming unemployment assistance and was overpaid £673.89. The amount overpaid is being recovered by withholding current payment of unemployment assistance and to date the sum of £580.55 has been recovered. The weekly sum of unemployment assistance payable to him is £12.95 being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £66.90 less £53.95 means and weekly deductions will continue to be made until the balance of the overpayment is recovered.
556.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Following reinvestigation of his means by a social welfare officer the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit. Following receipt of representations on his behalf his case was reinvestigated following which his means were again assessed as being in excess of the statutory limit. His case was recently referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
557.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £2.55 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £50.75 less means £48.20. His means are derived from the profit from his holding and from capital. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him. The appeals officer assessed his means at £43.40 weekly with effect from 8 February 1984. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the rate of £7.35 weekly with effect from 8 February 1984. All arrears due to him will be paid this week, and weekly payments at £7.35 will continue to be made to him as they become due.
558.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
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 £3,387.80. 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. He is not at present signing as unemployed.
559.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a death grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
There is no record of a claim for a death grant having been received from the person concerned. An inspector of the Department will shortly call on her with a view to obtaining information necessary to advise her of her position in relation to her entitlements.
560.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the maximum rate of smallholders unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £10.75 weekly, being the maximum rate payable to him £103.05 less means £92.30. His means are derived from profit from his holding. He appealed and an appeals officer also assessed his means at £92.30 weekly. He recently requested a review of his means. Following re-investigation of his claim his means have been reduced to £38.45 weekly derived from land with effect from 23 March 1984. He is accordingly entitled to the weekly rate of £64.60 being the maximum rate payable £103.05 less means £38.45. He will be paid all arrears due this week. Weekly payments of £64.60 will continue to be made as they become due.
561.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the maximum rate of old age pension will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 29 March 1984 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £34.60 plus £3.00 living alone allowance from 2 March 1984. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of his British retirement pension.
However, recent representations from the Deputy have been accepted as an appeal against the committee's decision and the case is being referred to an appeals officer to be decided. The person concerned will be notified of the appeal officer's decision in due course.
562.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. If he is dissatisfied with the decision and he is now prepared to disclose his means, it is open to him to inform his local office and his case will be reviewed. He has ceased to sign at his local office.
563.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision on an appeal for smallholder's unemployment assistance will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £71.15 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £2.45 weekly, being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £73.60 less £71.15 means. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer also assessed him with means at £71.15 weekly and he was advised of the decision in his case on 7 March 1984.
564.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of an old age contributory pension to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14.
The person concerned claimed an old age contributory pension on 11 May 1984. He has been awarded the pension with effect from 18 May at the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 21 contributions. An old age contributory pension book containing orders payable from 18 May 1984 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly.
565.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who is signing at Trim employment exchange.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the contribution condition that an applicant must have at least 26 weeks of insurable employment with contributions paid at the appropriate rate between the date of his entry into insurance and the date of his claim. The person concerned has less than the required 26 weeks of insurable employment and accordingly his claim for unemployment benefit was disallowed.
566.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in dealing with an unemployment assistance application which is on appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and when a decision on this case will be forthcoming.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £26.15 weekly derived from the benefit of board and lodging on her father's holding. She is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £1.85 weekly, being the maximum rate payable to her £28 less £26.15 means. She has not appealed against the amount of means assessed against her and it is open to her to do so if she is dissatisfied with the decision. A form on which to appeal may be obtained from her local office.
567.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in dealing with an application for an old age pension by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
A claim to old age pension from the person concerned was received on 13 March 1984. Investigation of the claim was completed and it was referred to the local pension committee for decision on 27 April 1984. Payment of pension has not been recommended as the assessment of her means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding and capital, exceed the statutory limit for pension. If the local pension committee does not meet to consider this case in the near future, the claim will be withdrawn from the committee for decision by an appeals officer. The claimant will be notified of the outcome.
568.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and the amount of assistance that will be paid.
Following a re-investigation of his case the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him £57.90 weekly exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. His means were derived from capital and from the profit from land. He appealed against the assessment in his case and the appeals officer also assessed his means at £57.90 weekly and he was notified accordingly.
569.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned who is in receipt of a widow's contributory pension claimed a living alone allowance in November 1983. When the claim was investigated however it was found that her son was living with her and the claim was accordingly refused. In view of the information given by the Deputy a social welfare officer has been asked for an up-to-date report on her circumstances. When this report is received her claim to living alone allowance will be reviewed and she will be notified of the outcome.
570.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit for the period of an illness commencing on 12 April and still ongoing has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; if he will state how this person is expected to survive while awaiting bureaucratic decisions; and if, in view of recent publicity given to a public agency complaining of Deputies' involvement in these matters, he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned has been paid disability benefit from 12 April 1984, first day of incapacity, to 17 May 1984, date of the latest medical certificate received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance already advanced for the same period.
571.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who has sent in seven medical certificates to his Department but who has been informed that he does not qualify for disability benefit; and if he will state the recognition that has been given to credits which he has built up since 1970.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 April 1984 and has been paid at the maximum rate for a married couple to 4 May 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received. Credited contributions have been awarded in respect of his claim to unemployment assistance from 1969 to 4 April 1984. These credits are reckonable for benefit and pension purposes.
572.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state precisely the unemployment assistance entitlement of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who was receiving approximately £76.50 unemployment benefit and is now in receipt of various different amounts each week ranging from £12.74 to £25.75; the reason this matter has not been resolved more speedily and explained to this person as he is deaf and dumb; and, in view of recent statements made by a public agency if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit intermittently from 3 February 1980. His entitlement to unemployment benefit terminated on 3 May 1984 when he has been paid his full entitlement of unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit for a total of 390 days. Consequently on 8 May 1984 he received payment of unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit amounting to £12.74 in respect of one day only namely 3 May 1984. He is the holder of a qualification certificate with means assessed at £26.50 weekly derived from capital and the benefit of his wife's pension. He claimed unemployment assistance from 4 May 1984 and his claim was authorised for payment at £25.75 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £52.25 less means £26.50 with effect from that date.
All unemployment assistance due has been paid and weekly payments are continuing to be made in the case. There was no delay in making payments and the applicant was advised at his local office of the arrangements applicable to an applicant transferring from unemployment benefit payment to unemployment assistance payment. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the assessment of his means by an appeals officer.
573.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the application of a person (details supplied) in County Cork to have her free electricity allowance transferred to her new address was rejected.
A free electricity allowance cannot be granted to the person concerned as her husband, who is residing with her, is not a person who comes within the accepted categories for satisfying the living alone condition of the scheme. The allowance which applied in respect of her previous residence was granted in error.