asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid a funeral grant on behalf of her deceased husband.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
613.
A claim for death grant was received from the person concerned on 21 November 1984 and payment was issued on 11 December 1984.
614.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will explain the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is an applicant for unemployment benefit. His entitlement to benefit could not be determined pending inquiries to ascertain why he left his employment and whether he fulfilled the condition of being unemployed. The inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at £57.50 weekly. All arrears due were paid last week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
615.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of a contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's contributory pension with effect from 24 June 1983, the Friday following her husband's death, at a rate of £54.70 per week increased to £61.25 from 1 July 1983 and £65.55 from 6 July 1984. These are the appropriate rates for a widow under 66 years with two qualified children, where the yearly average number of insurance contributions (based on her husband's insurance record) is 29.
A pension book with orders payable from 16 November 1984 was issued to the designated post office on 14 November 1984 for collection by the claimant and she was notified accordingly. Arrears for the period from 24 June 1983 to 15 November 1984, less the amount of widow's non-contributory pension paid to her in the same period were sent direct to her by payable order on 21 November 1984. The reason for the delay in making payment in this case arose from the difficulty in establishing the late husband's social insurance record. Protracted inquiries were necessary by the Department's outdoor staff. The person concerned had been in receipt of non-contributory widow's pension while awaiting her contributory pension.
616.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not being paid unemployment benefit; and the reason for the delay in payment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 16 October 1984. His claim was disallowed on the ground that he did not satisfy the contribution condition as he did not have 26 contributions paid since his entry into insurance. He has been notified of this decision by his local employment exchange and he has continued to sign the unemployed register for credited contributions. He is not eligible for unemployment assistance as he has not yet attained the age of 18 years.
617.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have an old age pension book transferred from Fermoy post office to Watergrasshill post office on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was awarded old age contributory pension from 6 April 1984. The person was paid at Watergrasshill post office up to the end of November when the office of payment was changed to Fermoy post office following receipt of a request on behalf of the pensioner. In the circumstances the pensioner has been asked to confirm if he wishes to have the office of payment transferred back to Watergrasshill post office and, if so, to return his pension book to the Department.
618.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid the pay-related portion of his unemployment benefit.
The person concerned is not entitled to pay-related benefit with his flat rate unemployment benefit as he has insufficient earnings during the relevant income tax period 6 April, 1982 to 5 April 1983 which governs his entitlement.
619.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who made an application for a children's allowance for one child on 19 October has not been granted the allowance.
Children's allowance due in this case is in payment to the husband of the person concerned on the grounds that their child is normally residing with him. The Department has had no communication from her but in view of the Deputy's question inquiries are being made. When these inquiries are completed, entitlement to the allowance will be reviewed and she will be notified of the outcome.
620.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was disallowed to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal, despite the fact that her own doctor continued to issue medical certificates; and if he will agree to a review of the case.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 25 September 1984, following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and was examined on 6 November 1984 by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Her case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of the case. She will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.
621.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of social welfare disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 March 1984. He was not qualified for benefit at the commencement of his claim as according to the records of the Department at that time he did not have the required minimum of 26 contributions paid, since entry into insurable employment.
It was established, on 15 October, 1984, that he had sufficient contributions paid to entitle him to payment of benefit and the arrears of benefit payable (£365.71) for the period from 23 March 1984 to 20 April 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, were issued to the claimant on 16 October 1984.
If the person concerned was incapable of work from 21 April 1984, he should forward medical evidence to that effect to the Department, where the matter will receive immediate attention.
622.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for a deserted wife's allowance.
Two of the conditions for receipt of a deserted wife's payment are that a husband must have left his wife of his own volition and she must make reasonable efforts within the means available to her to trace her husband and to prevail on him to contribute to her support and maintenance.
The deciding officer held that these conditions were not satisfied by the person concerned and disallowed her claim on 3 August, 1984. She was notified to this effect and of her right to appeal if dissatisfied with the decision. There is no trace, according to the records of the Department, of any appeal having been received against this decision.
623.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will now grant unemployment assistance under the small farmers' scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who reapplied recently, having regard to the fact that his income is remarkably low at present and will be between now and 1 April 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £29.85 weekly derived from self-employment at fishing and the value of board and lodging in his parents' home. He appealed his case but an appeals officer also assessed him with means at £29.85 weekly. The maximum rate of unemployment assistance appropriate to him is £29.95 weekly and accordingly the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him at present is £0.10 weekly. He recently applied for a reinvestigation of the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. When these inquiries are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
624.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a widow's pension was reduced from £69.45 per week to £51.85 per week in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter having regard to her poor financial circumstances.
The person concerned had been in receipt of widow's non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £69.45 in respect of herself and five qualified children.
Her eldest child reached 18 years on 22 November 1984 and in the absence of evidence to show that he is receiving full time education by day (in which event payment would be made for him up to 21 years of age) he cannot be regarded as a qualified child from that date.
The rate of pension payable to the widow was consequently reduced to £51.85 a week. This is the appropriate rate for a widow with four qualified children and whose weekly means exceed £38 but do not exceed £40. She is assessed with means of £39.46 per week derived from a farm holding.
If the child in question is still in full time education, the appropriate form which was sent to the person concerned should be certified by the school authorities and returned to the Department. Her payment would then be restored to its previous level.
625.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who had payment of his unemployment assistance under the small farmers' scheme discontinued, in view of his poor financial circumstances and particularly in view of the fact that his income is very low at present and will be until next April; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from the 12 October 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from land exceeded the statutory limit appropriate to him. He appealed against this decision and an appeals officer also decided that his means exceeded the statutory limit. He reapplied for unemployment assistance on the 25 May 1984 and following reinvestigation of his means by a social welfare officer his application was again disallowed as his means derived from the profit from land still exceeded the statutory limit. He has been informed accordingly.
626.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for a substantial increase in his unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £35.05 weekly being the appropriate rate payable to him £75 less means of £39.95. His means are derived from self-employment and the capital value of property owned by him. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed his means at £39.95 and he was notified accordingly on 2 August 1984.
627.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension at the over-80 rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
An old age pension book for £30 per week payable from 9 November 1984 in respect of the "over-80" allowance issued to the person concerned on 31 October 1984. Following notification on 7 December 1984 that the allowance book had not been received, a replacement book was issued without delay direct to the pensioner's home. Any inconvenience caused to the pensioner is regretted.
628.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid on appeal to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 16 April 1984, following examination by a medical referee who considered her to be capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and was examined on 30 August 1984 by a different medical referee who also considered her to be capable of work. Her case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of the case. She will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.
629.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry cannot get an old age pension at the maximum rate in view of her poor financial circumstances; and if he will refer her case back for further consideration.
The person concerned is in receipt of an old age pension at the weekly rate of £35.30. She is not entitled to payment at a higher rate having regard to the latest assessment of her means consisting of the weekly value of capital. If, however, there is a reduction in the capital she holds, her entitlement will be reviewed on receipt of the necessary particulars.
630.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cause of the delay in granting a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will say when payment will be made.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned is partially investigated. The social welfare officer is still awaiting details regarding a British retirement pension which have not yet come to hand. When this information becomes available the matter will be referred to a deciding officer for decision and the pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
631.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when back money from July 1983, to April 1984 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
There are no arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned in respect of the period 19 July 1983 to 17 April 1984. His unemployment assistance claim during that period was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his income he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance but an appeals officer also disallowed his claim on the same grounds.
632.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon was refused a non-contributory old age pension.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the grounds that he does not fulfil the statutory conditions as to means. His means, consisting of the weekly value of a holding, exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
633.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of unemployment assistance was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The person concerned failed to disclose details of his means when previously claiming unemployment assistance and was overpaid assistance amounting to £6,482.80 in respect of his claim which terminated on 18 January 1983. There is £5,619.08 still outstanding on this payment. He again claimed unemployment assistance on 25 June 1984 and was assessed with means of £68.55 weekly derived from the profit from his holding, from capital and from self-employment. He is accordingly entitled to £25.60 weekly, the appropriate rate £94.15 less means £68.55. All arrears due to him are being withheld against the amount of unemployment assistance overpayment still outstanding. Deductions will continue to be made until the amount overdrawn by him is recovered.
634.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an old age pension which is being examined in his Department for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
Following a routine review of the old age pension entitlements of the person concerned, it was found that there had been an increase in his means since the date of last assessment. Accordingly, it was decided that the person concerned is only entitled to a pension at the weekly rate of £35.05 from 7 December 1984 which includes an adult dependant allowance of £11.75 in respect of his wife. This is the rate of pension to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of capital and a holding. The appropriate pension book was issued on 6 December 1984.
635.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in the case of an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The claim of the person concerned for unemployment assistance was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for work. He appealed against this decision on 24 November 1984. His case has been referred to an appeals officer and will be dealt with at the earliest opportunity.
636.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries to establish his contribution record had been completed. These inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at the weekly rate of £37.25. All arrears due were paid to him on 16 November 1984 and further weekly payments are being made as they become due.
637.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of unemployment assistance due to persons (details supplied) in County Galway.
The unemployment assistance claims of all the persons concerned were disallowed on the grounds that by failing to reveal full details of their means they failed to show that their means did not exceed the statutory limits. They all appealed against the disallowance of their claims and arising from contentions raised in their appeals their cases were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed their case will be submitted to an appeals officer and their entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
638.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and arising from contentions raised in the appeal the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries are not yet completed and when they are his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed accordingly.
639.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of a deserted wife's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as the allowance is due to her since awarded on 24 February 1983.
A payable order for arrears of deserted wife's allowance for the period from 24 February 1983 to 24 October 1984, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during that time, has now been sent to the person concerned. An allowance book with orders payable from 25 October 1984 was issued to the designated post office on 23 October 1984 for collection by the claimant and she was notified accordingly.
640.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date on which a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan applied for small farmers' unemployment assistance; and when a decision will be made.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 13 August 1984, and following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer he was assessed with means of £48.50 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding. His means exceeded the rate payable to him, accordingly his claim to unemployment assistance was disallowed.
On 22 September 1984 he appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arising out of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries are now completed and his case is being referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
641.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons payment of a widow's pension has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if both he and his officials are fully aware of this person's serious financial situation; if he will now direct his Department to restore this pension to this person immediately with all arrears to be paid from the date that the pension was originally discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the entire situation.
Following a re-investigation of her circumstances in April 1983 the widow's non-contributory pension, which had been in payment to the person concerned since April 1982, was terminated because she did not provide the social welfare officer with enough information to establish her full means at that time.
The case was further investigated in May 1984 and her means, derived solely from the profits of a farm, were assessed at £57.69 per week. This amount exceeded the limit of £40 per week (£44 from 6 July 1984) applicable to her as a widow with no qualified children and her claim to pension was accordingly refused. She appealed against the decision but her appeal was disallowed by an appeals officer on 28 October 1984 and she was notified accordingly. The appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive and can only be reviewed if there is a material change in the claimant's circumstances.
642.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if all payments of disability benefit have been made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will continue to receive regular payment while he is submitting certificates to his Department.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit which issued at regular weekly intervals on receipt of monthly medical certificates. Benefit was suspended from 3 November 1984 because no medical certificate had been received in the Department since 7 September 1984. A further medical certificate dated 5 November 1984 was submitted to the Department on 6 November 1984 and all arrears were subsequently issued. Disability benefit is continuing to issue at regular weekly intervals and all benefit payable has been issued to 15 December 1984.
643.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment benefit 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.
644.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will examine the position of an insured worker (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who has been out of work since 10 November; and when appropriate welfare payments will be made.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 13 November 1984. Her claim was disallowed up to 6 December 1984 on the ground that she lost her employment through misconduct. She appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have her case determined by an appeals officer. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit from 13 November 1984 to 6 December 1984 will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. Her claim has been allowed on 7 December and payment has been authorised at the weekly rate of £37.25, the appropriate rate in her case.
645.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in respect of his appeal against a cessation of unemployment assistance payments.
The appeal of the person concerned against the disallowance of his unemployment benefit claim has been referred to an appeals officer for determination.
A hearing of the appeal has been arranged to take place on 12 December 1984 and the appellant has been notified of time and place. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
646.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in respect of his appeal against a reduction in unemployment assistance.
The person concerned recently obtained an appeal application form at his local office but he has not returned it to date. When he does so his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
647.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an old age pensioner (details supplied) in County Wexford will have his payments restored to the previous level.
Following a routine review of the old age pension entitlement of the person concerned, it was found that there had been an increase in his means since the date of last assessment. Accordingly, it was decided that he is entitled to a pension at the weekly rate of £17.30 from 19 October 1984. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of a holding.
The person concerned has been notified of his right to appeal against the decision in his case.
648.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded payments of unemployment assistance in view of the fact that he has no income and is freely available for, and capable of, work.
The person concerned was assessed with means £38.21 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parents holding. His means accordingly exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him and his claim was disallowed. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
649.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be reconsidered for increased payments of unemployment assistance in view of the changing income of her father and the fact that she has no other income of her own except unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £13.45 weekly by a deciding officer on the basis of information available to him at the time. The applicants means were derived from the value of board and lodging in her step-father's home. She recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against her and submitted fresh documentary evidence in support of her appeal. In the light of the fresh evidence a deciding officer in a revised decision reduced the weekly means to £3.80 weekly effective from 19 June 1984. Accordingly she is entitled to £26.15 weekly, the appropriate rate £29.95 less means £3.80 All arrears due to her will be paid next week and payments of £26.15 will continue to be made as they become due.
650.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. He has been visited by the social welfare officer and he has been asked to furnish details of the income of the holding and the shop at his place of residence to enable his means to be assessed but has not done so to date. He has been advised that he must furnish full particulars of his means otherwise his application for a qualification certificate will have to be disallowed. He is at present in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
651.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not in receipt of the maximum rate of old age pension; and if he will have the matter reviewed.
The person concerned has been in receipt of old age pension at the maximum rate since 1 July 1983. He is at present in receipt of £62.05 which includes £20.75 in respect of an adult dependant.
652.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be granted free travel.
A free travel pass was issued to the person concerned on 10 December 1984.
653.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not been paid her living alone allowance as she applied in early October; and if he will have the matter investigated.
One of the conditions for the receipt of living alone allowance is that the pensioner must have reached the age of 66 years. The person concerned is only 63 years of age and does not therefore satisfy this condition. She is accordingly not entitled to be paid a living alone allowance. She was notified to this effect on 16 November 1984.
654.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick was not granted unemployment assistance when the appeal was heard on 6 November; and if he will have the matter reconsidered with a view to having unemployment assistance granted to him, due to his very serious financial circumstances.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance 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 assistance from 30 May 1984 but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment.
He appealed against the disallowance and he attended an oral hearing on 6 November 1984. The appeals officer also decided that he was not available for employment and accordingly his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed from 30 May 1984 to 6 November 1984. He was notified accordingly on 7 November 1984. It is however open to the person concerned to reapply for unemployment assistance if he considers that he fulfils the condition of being available for work after the period of disallowance which terminated on 6 November 1984; his case would then be investigated and his entitlement to unemployment assistance would be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
655.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 5 November 1984. However inquiries had to be made to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for work before her entitlement to unemployment benefit could be determined. These inquiries were recently completed and her claim has been allowed at the weekly rate £32.75, and all arrears due will be paid next week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
656.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the refusal of an unmarried mother's allowance, an orphan's pension and a widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11.
There is no trace of a claim for an unmarried mother's allowance from the person concerned. On the evidence available, however, she would not qualify for unmarried mother's allowance on the ground that she had been a married woman. Also there is no trace of a claim for orphan's pension in respect of the family. The children would not qualify for this, however, because they are living with their mother. The person concerned made a claim for a widow's pension at the end of last year but this was refused on the grounds that, whilst the man with whom she had been living had died, she was not married to him and could not therefore be regarded as his widow.
She also made a claim for a deserted wife's payment but this was also refused. Two of the conditions for the receipt of a deserted wife's payment are that the claimant's husband must have left her of his own volition and that she must have made reasonable efforts to trace him and to prevail on him to contribute to her support and maintenance and that of their children. The deciding officer held that these conditions were not satisfied in this case and disallowed the claim. Notification of the decision and of her right to appeal against it was sent to the claimant on 23 March 1984. There is no record of any appeal having been received from her. She is at present in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
657.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 625 of 5 December 1984, if he will explain how the use of one room with no food supplied could be considered board and lodging valued at £2,285.71.
Under the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts the value of any benefit or privilege enjoyed by an applicant for unemployment assistance must be taken into account in the assessment of his means. Where an applicant resides with a relative on a holding the net yearly income of the holding is divided between the members of the household on a weighted basis and the means are calculated on the weighting attributed to the applicant.
Following an investigation of the case of the person concerned by a social welfare officer the net profit of the holding on which he resided was calculated at £8,000 per annum. He resides there with his brother and nephew and on the basis of a weighted calculation the value of 2/7 of the net profit was attributed to him and accordingly the value of his board and lodging was calculated at £2,285.71 per annum.
It is open to any person who is not satisfied with the amount of means assessed against him to appeal and to have his means assessed by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
658.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has been completely disabled since 1982 and cannot possibly work again.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 17 July 1981 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned was examined in May last by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination after nine months. The question of entitlement to invalidity pension will be considered after that examination.
659.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare (a) the amount his Department pay to CIE for the transportation of the free category of pensioners, disabled persons' maintenance allowance recipients and invalidity pensioners; (b) the amount so paid to private transport companies for the carriage of these categories; and (c) the method or formula used to ascertain the numbers of these categories covered.
The current monthly rate of payment to CIE in respect of the provision of free travel facilities under the Department's free travel scheme is £1,824,237. The corresponding figure for private transport companies is £38,129. The estimated number of persons in receipt of free travel is 390,000. This figure is based on the number of persons over 66 years of age according to the 1981 census of population and statistics available in my Department, the health boards and the National Council for the Blind in respect of those recipients under that age.
660.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present social welfare entitlements of persons (details supplied) in County Clare.
The husband concerned reached age 66 years on 7 December 1984. He claimed old age contributory pension on 26 September 1984. He has been awarded the pension with effect from 7 December 1984 at the weekly rate of £82.05, including an adult dependant's allowance of £36 in respect of his wife. This is the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 34 contributions. His wife also claimed an old age contributory pension but she does not qualify as she has no record of insurance since 1953. Her entitlement to an old age non-contributory pension in her own right is being investigated. An old age contributory pension book containing orders payable from 7 December 1984 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by the husband and he has been notified accordingly.