asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the social welfare benefit entitlement and pay-related benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin showing the basis of the calculation of benefit under each category; and when the appropriate payment will be made.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
383.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit is subject to the conditions that the sum of weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of his average weekly net earnings.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 28 May 1984 and he received the maximum flat-rate unemployment benefit payable to him as a married man with 3 qualified children £82.50 weekly increased to £88.35 in accordance with budget increases from 5 July 1984. The 85 per cent limit applicable to him is £93.10 and accordingly the weekly payment of pay-related benefit was limited to £10.60 reduced to £4.75 when his flat-rate unemployment benefit was increased on 5 July 1984. Combined weekly payments of £93.10 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £88.35 and pay-related benefit £4.75 weekly continue to be made to him as they become due.
384.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if this can be expedited having regard to the fact that the applicant concerned has no other means whatsoever.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's contributory pension at the weekly rate of £80.70, from 28 September 1984. This is the maximum rate of contributory pension payable to a widow under 66 years with three qualified children.
Her late husband had been in receipt of disability benefit at the weekly rate of £88.35, which included an increase in respect of his wife and children, and this was paid to her for six weeks after his death on 14 August 1984, in place of widow's pension.
A pension order book with orders payable from 28 September 1984 was issued to the designated post office on 11 October 1984 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly.
385.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the contribution record of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
Details of social insurance contributions recorded in the Department in respect of the person concerned since his entry into insurance on 15 November 1976 are as follows:
|
Contribution Year |
Contributions |
|
|
Paid |
Credited |
|
|
1976 |
7 |
45 |
|
1977 |
39 |
8 |
|
1978-79 |
17 |
35 |
|
1979-80 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
1980-81 |
19 |
30 |
|
1981-82 |
48 |
|
|
1982-83 |
32 |
|
|
1983-84 |
23 |
It has recently come to light that the person concerned was employed from 17 December 1980 to 6 January 1981, 16 December 1981 to 24 December 1981 and from 29 June 1982 to 13 October 1982 and the question of outstanding contributions is being investigated by an outdoor officer of the Department. The person concerned will be informed of the outcome.
386.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was in receipt of unemployment assistance but transferred to supplementary welfare allowance due to an illness, is not in receipt of butter vouchers; and if he will have the matter examined.
It is understood from the Southern Health Board which is responsible for the issue of butter vouchers to supplementary welfare allowance recipients in its area that the person concerned has been in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance since 30 June 1984 but that butter vouchers have not yet issued to him. Arrangements to issue vouchers to him for the period from 30 June 1984 are now being made.
387.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of a maternity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if payment will now be made to her.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit under the scheme for women in employment in respect of the period 1 September 1984 to 8 December 1984. Before the claim could be authorised, it was necessary to make certain inquiries of her employer. The initial payment was made on 10 October 1984 by way of a cheque for £400.10 in respect of the perod 1 September 1984 to 13 October 1984. Further cheques will be issued each week as they fall due.
388.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded a non-contributory old age pension; and if so, when.
It was decided on 24 September 1984 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age non-contributory pension at the maximum weekly rate of £41.40 from 8 June 1984 which includes an over-80 allowance of £2.80 increasing to £44.30 from 6 July 1984.
The appropriate pension book payable from 5 October 1984 issued on 10 October 1984 and a payable order covering the arrears due for the period 8 June 1984 to 28 September 1984 issued on 11 October 1984.
389.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if increased payments of unemployment assistance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £24.60 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging while she was resident on her parents' farm. She was accordingly paid unemployment assistance at £5.35 weekly being the rate appropriate to her, £29.95 less £24.60.
She ceased to sign as unemployed after 1 September 1984 and it is understood that she is at present in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance from her local health authority.
390.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will now direct his Department to make an immediate payment to this person; the date on which a weekly payment and all arrears will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer the person concerned was assessed with means at £6.40 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parents' holding. Accordingly, he is entitled to unemployment assistance at £23.55 being the appropriate rate, £29.95 less means £6.40.
All arrears due were paid on 11 October 1984 and weekly payments at £23.55 will continue as they become due.
391.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
To be entitled to unemployment benefit an applicant must be available for work and to be available for work he is required to be available for, capable of and genuinely seeking employment.
Following the completion of inquiries the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that he was not genuinely looking for work and accordingly he was not available for work.
He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
392.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when old age pension at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
It was decided on 5 October 1984 that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the maximum weekly rate of £62.05 including £20.75 adult dependant allowance from 20 July 1984.
He is at present in receipt of old age contributory pension at a lower rate and since both pensions are not paid concurrently his contributory pension book has been recalled. On return of this book the appropriate old age non-contributory pension book will be issued and arrears due will be issued separately.
393.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 22 August 1984 but her entitlement to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries had been made to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for work. The inquiries were recently completed and her claim was allowed at the maximum flat-rate unemployment benefit £32.75 weekly and pay-related benefit £2.26 weekly. All arrears due were paid to her last week. Further combined payments at £35.01 weekly will be made as they become due.
394.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an increased rate of non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned has been awarded an old age non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £7 from 25 May 1984, which includes an adult dependant allowance of £2.40, increasing to £11.05 from 6 July 1984 which includes an adult dependant allowance of £3.75. 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 wife's holding. His current pension book has been recalled and when this is received, a book at the new rate and the arrears due will be issued. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the decision given on his claim, it is open to him to appeal against it.
395.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a free electricity allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
A free electricity allowance cannot be granted to the person concerned as her father, who is residing with her, is not a person who comes within the excepted categories for satisfying the living alone condition of the scheme. As he will however reach 66 years of age in April 1985 and will then be regarded as an excepted person for the purposes of this scheme, it will be open to his daughter to reapply for the allowance shortly before he reaches that age.
396.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick against a decision to reduce his social welfare benefit.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 16 May 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and was examined on 7 August 1984 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work. His case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. He will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.
397.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason maternity benefit for the period 4 June 1984 to 8 June 1984 was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
A cheque for the period in question was issued to the claimant during the course of her maternity allowance claim. She reported non-receipt of this cheque and, following completion of inquiries, a replacement cheque has now been issued.
398.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick against a decision to disallow his unemployment assistance.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £43.75 weekly being the appropriate rate £62.95 less means of £19.20. His means are derived from the profit of a half share in a holding.
He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements are being made to have his case referred to an appeals officer. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
399.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit in his case. He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the appeal has been 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.
400.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was assessed with means exceeding the statutory limit in July this year. His means were derived from the profit from his holding. He appealed against this decision and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for further investigation.
In the light of the latest investigation a deciding officer reduced the means to £59.60 weekly. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £12.65 weekly being the appropriate rate £72.25 less £59.60. He was paid all arrears due to him on 10 October 1984 and payments of £12.65 weekly will continue as they become due.
401.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following the completion of investigations by a social welfare officer the person concerned was assessed with means at £9.60 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings on her parents' holding. She is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £20.35 from 17 July 1984, being the appropriate rate, £29.95 less £9.60. Arrears due were issued by post to the applicant on 10 October 1984. Weekly payments of £20.35 will continue to be made as they become due.
402.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
Following the completion of inquiries the means of the person concerned were assessed at £17.30 weekly and a qualification certificate was posted to his local office to enable unemployment assistance to be paid to him. It was recently established that the qualification certificate was never received at his local office as it had gone astray in postal transit. The matter was corrected and his unemployment assistance was allowed at £12.65 weekly and all arrears of unemployment assistance due to him were issued last week. He ceased signing as unemployed after 30 September 1984.
403.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in sanctioning a free telephone rental allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
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 person referred to in the Deputy's question is residing with his wife who is not, from the information furnished, a permanently incapacitated person. Accordingly, a free telephone rental allowance cannot be applied in this case. The applicant was notified to this effect on 9 April 1984.