asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been removed from the pension allowance of his mother even though he is still at school.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
418.
An increase of widow's pension is payable in respect of a qualified child over the age of 18 up to the age of 21 where the child is receiving full-time education.
The person concerned was in receipt of an increase of widow's contributory pension in respect of her daughter aged 19 and son who was 18 in March 1984. Payment in respect of her daughter was terminated from 31 May 1984 when her certificate of full-time education expired. The school authorities certified that her son will be a full-time student until the end of June 1984 and accordingly the increase will be paid in respect of him until 5 July 1984 the following Thursday. If either child resumes full-time education payment of the increase will be restored on receipt of a certificate to that effect.
419.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
An application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned has been approved and the ESB has been instructed to apply the allowance to her electricity account from the June-July 1984 billing period onwards.
420.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and the reason for the delay in dealing with this application.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 16 April 1984. Inquiries had to be made to ascertain the reason for termination of his employment. These inquiries were recently completed and his unemployment benefit claim was allowed from the date of claim at the maximum flat-rate applicable in his case of £90.15 weekly. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
421.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will arrange for urgent consideration to be given to his appeal in view of his poor financial circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following re-investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned payment was disallowed from 6 June 1984 on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his holding exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and in the light of contentions raised by him in support of his appeal the case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these investigations are completed the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
422.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position regarding the unemployment assistance application of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and when his application will be granted.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 14 March 1984. Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the benefit and occupation of his uncle's holding exceed the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £28 weekly. He was recently issued with an appeal form and when the completed form is returned his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
423.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a final decision immediately for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is seeking unemployment assistance.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
424.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an increased payment of unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £16.90 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £66.90 less means £50 derived from self-employment. His means were determined at £50 by a deciding officer in May 1983 and by an appeals officer who also assessed him with means at £50 in August 1983. He applied in April 1984 for a further review of the amount of means assessed against him and in a decision on 18 June 1984 the deciding officer held that his means were still £50 a week. It is open to him to appeal again 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.
425.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and the social welfare officer has recommended payment of pension at the weekly rate of £10 which includes an adult dependent allowance of £3.40 from 1 June 1984. The claimant will be notified of the decision on his case as soon as possible. In the meantime payment is being made on a provisional basis. The appropriate pension book has been issued.
426.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been paid his unemployment benefit/assistance; the date on which all payments, including arrears will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 9 April 1984 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When these investigations are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
427.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been paid his unemployment assistance despite the fact that he has been signing for a long period of time; when he will be paid; the total amount of payments to be made, including arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 16 March 1984 but his entitlement to unemployment assistance could not be determined as he failed to co-operate with the social welfare officer when he was visited by him to make inquiries about his means. He was recently written to and advised to fully disclose his means in order that his claim to unemployment assistance could be determined. When he forwards the information requested his case will be referred again to the social welfare officer for a further report and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of that report.
428.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The investigation of the old age pension claim of the person concerned will be completed shortly. If a pension is awarded it will be put into payment without delay.
429.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free telephone rental allowance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance a person must be living alone or only with children under fifteen years of age or other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in the event of an emergency.
The person concerned is residing with his wife and he was therefore requested on 29 November 1983 to submit medical evidence in respect of her, in support of his application. The required medical evidence was not received and his application was accordingly rejected on 30 January 1984. If the required medical evidence is now submitted his application will be reviewed and he will be notified of the outcome.
430.
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 was decided by the local pension committee on 23 May 1984 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £16.60 plus £8.40 adult dependant allowance from 6 April 1984. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means consisting of half the weekly value of his own and his wife's British retirement pensions and capital. An appeal against this decision was made on 7 June 1984 and the case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in the near future.
431.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when free electricity will be granted to an old age pensioner (details supplied) in County Wexford.
An application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned was disallowed in July 1983 as on the information available to the Department two of his sons were resident with him and they did not come within the excepted categories for satisfying the living alone condition of the scheme. If the sons have ceased to reside with him it is open to him to re-apply for the allowance.
432.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 8 June 1984 following exhaustion of his entitlement to unemployment benefit. The case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means but he was not at home on either of the two occasions when the social welfare officer called at his house.
It is understood that the social welfare officer was in touch with the applicant recently and requested information about his means. When this information is furnished by him his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
433.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There is no trace in the Department of an application for deserted wife's allowance from the person concerned. A form on which to apply has now been issued to her. On receipt of the completed form her entitlement to the allowance will be investigated and she will be notified of the outcome.
434.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £7.30 weekly which is the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £88.05 less means £80.75, derived from self-employment. He appealed on 15 June 1984 against the amount of means assessed against him and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal the case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these investigations are completed the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
435.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the rate of payment for a non-contributory old age pension will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 8 May 1984 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £24.60 from 3 February 1984 which will increase to £27.30 from 6 July 1984. This is the rate to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means consisting of the weekly value of her share in a holding.
436.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the overpayment of children's allowance will be waived for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Arrears of children's allowance which were issued to the person concerned in September 1982 included, in error, payment for a period for which the allowance had already been paid. The claimant queried the amount of the arrears on 30 September and 12 October 1982. Because of the high seasonal intake of claims it was not possible to reply requesting the return of the payable order until 2 November 1982. The order had however been cashed by that time.
On 5 November 1982 an undertaking to refund the amount overpaid was received. The sum of £5 has been recovered and monthly instalments of a reasonable amount will be accepted in repayment of the sum outstanding.
437.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford got the full set of payments that were supposed to be issued to him through occupational injury benefit; and if all payments from both his employer and the Department will be checked out so as to ensure that the full entitlement was received.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 19 December 1983. Pending the completion of investigations he was allowed disability benefit on an interim basis from 23 December, the fourth day of certified incapacity.
Following confirmation of the accident injury benefit was allowed from 19 December and was paid in respect of the period to 7 January 1984, after which he was certified fit to resume work. This included an adjusting payment of injury benefit over and above disability benefit paid on an interim basis to 31 December 1983. His full entitlement to benefit in respect of the claim amounting to £309.75 was paid.
From the information furnished with the question, he appears to be also concerned about a refund of an overpayment of wages received in the period and its effect in relation to the earnings certificate (P.60) issued to him by his employers. The question about wages is of course a matter between the person concerned and his employers. Any resulting amendment to the form P.60 would also be dealt with by the employers.
438.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary is only obtaining £18.60 per week on the old age pension; when this matter will be rectified; when full payment will be made to her; and the amount that will be paid.
The person concerned is in receipt of an old age non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £18.60 which will increase to £21.30 from 6 July 1984. 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.
439.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary is only obtaining £53.80 unemployment assistance as he is in very bad health and has a large family and this payment seems inadequate; the amount that will be paid in the future; and the amount of back payments that will be made to him.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £55.80 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £70.15 less means £14.35. Arrangements have been made to refer his case to the social welfare officer for re-investigation of his means. When these inquiries are completed the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
440.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whan a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive pay-related benefit as he has been in receipt of unemployment benefit for nine weeks.
The calculation of pay-related benefit is based on a person's reckonable weekly earnings between £43 and £220 in the relevant income tax year.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 17 April 1984 and the relevant income tax year in his case is the period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983. His average weekly earnings during this period were £26 and accordingly he is not entitled to pay-related benefit. He is at present in receipt of flat-rate unemployment benefit at the maximum weekly rate appropriate in his case of £34.80. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
441.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Donegal regarding payment of unemployment benefit.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 16 December 1983 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed on 29 May 1984 against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have her case determined by an appeals officer at the earliest opportunity. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
442.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway was refused.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment. The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 28 March 1984 on the grounds that by reason of not genuinely seeking work she was not available for work from that date. She appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of her case on 7 June 1984 an appeals officer also decided that she was not available for employment.
443.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 26 October 1983 on the grounds that he failed to co-operate with the social welfare officer in the review of his means. He appealed against the disallowance and the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for a further report in the case. The extensive inquiries which were necessary have only recently been completed and the report in the matter is now in transit to headquarters. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
444.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan made an application for a deserted wife's allowance; and when a decision will be made on her case.
The claim to deserted wife's allowance-benefit of the person concerned was received on 20 January 1984.
The claimant was interviewed by a local officer of the Department on 29 February 1984 and he advised her of the necessity to obtain a copy of her divorce papers from England. On 7 May 1984 she was reminded to send in these papers. She confirmed in a telephone call on 18 June 1984 that she was still endeavouring to obtain them. As soon as these documents are received and examined a decision will be given in the case without delay and the claimant will be notified. In the meantime she is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the North Eastern Health Board.
445.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan applied for unemployment assistance; when a decision will be made on his case; and the reason for the delay.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 19 March 1984 following exhaustion of his claim to unemployment benefit. His entitlement to unemployment assistance could not be determined as he failed to co-operate with the social welfare officer when he was visited by him to make inquiries about his means.
The papers have now been referred back to the social welfare officer who will make a further call on the claimant in order to ascertain his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
446.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan appealed for a higher rate of small farmers unemployment assistance; and when it is expected a decision will be made.
Following a re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £48 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £2.75 weekly which is the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £50.75 less means £48.
He appealed on 19 April 1984 against the assessment of his means 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 inquiries are completed the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. In the meantime weekly payments of £2.75 continue to be made as they fall due.
447.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
A claim for contributory old age pension was received from the person concerned on 29 May 1984. He reached old age pension age on 8 February 1983 and was paid disability benefit from 31 January 1984 to 18 May 1984. The disability benefit claim is being treated as if it had been a claim for contributory old age pension and he has been awarded the pension with effect from 3 February 1984, i.e. the Friday following the commencement of his disability benefit claim.
A pension book containing orders valid for payment from 29 June 1984 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly. Arrears of pension for the period from 3 February 1984 to 28 June 1984, less the amount of disability benefit and supplementary welfare allowance paid to him in that period, will be issued to him by payable order as soon as possible.
448.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason his Department refuses to pay either unemployment benefit or disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 10 May 1984 and his claim was disallowed on the grounds that by reason of not genuinely seeking work he was not available for work. He ceased to sign the unemployed register on 25 May 1984. Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 3 May 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of working.
He appealed against the disallowance and in connection with his appeal arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 4 July 1984. His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
449.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must have had since entry into insurance not less than 26 contribution weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid. The minimum age of entry into insurance is 16 years.
According to the Department's records the person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 30 November 1983, but had less than 26 weeks of insurable employment since the date of her entry into insurance on 4 April 1983. Inquiries are being made to ascertain whether further contributions at the appropriate class were paid on her behalf during the period in question. When these inquiries are completed her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed.
450.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when his Department intend furnishing all the necessary information regarding a United Kingdom retirement pension for a person (details supplied) in County Cork to the Department of Health and Social Security in England; and when this information was requested.
The insurance record under the number supplied by the person concerned was sent to the British Department of Health and Social Security on 1 March 1984. A memo was received from that Department on 1 May 1984 indicating that they also had a note of a second Irish social insurance number in respect of the person concerned. A record of earlier Irish insurance in respect of the years 1936 to 1950 was found under that number and the revised record was sent to the Department of Health and Social Security on 21 June 1984.
A pro-rata retirement pension under EEC regulations was awarded to the person concerned by the Department of Social Welfare with effect from 5 April 1984. The Department of Health and Social Security will reply direct to him in regard to his entitlement from them.
451.
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 is available for work and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 9 April 1984 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. It is open to her to appeal against the disallowance of her claim and to have her case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
452.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 29 December 1982 and has been paid to 18 June 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
He is not qualified for pay-related benefit as he has no recorded earnings in 1980-81, the income tax year governing his claim. There has been no delay in issuing payment of benefit in this case.