asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will set out in detail the basis on which the non-contributory pension of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is being reduced; and if he will take whatever steps are necessary to have this assessment revised and the pension restored in full.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
442.
Following a review of the non-contributory old age pension entitlements of the person concerned, it was discovered that there had been an increase in his means since the date of the last assessment. Accordingly, it was decided that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £59.05 from 18 January 1985 which includes an adult dependant allowance of £18.75 and an over-80 allowance of £3. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of income from the letting of part of a house.
A pension book at the appropriate rate issued on 16 January 1985. The pensioner has indicated that he wishes to appeal this decision and a form which will enable him to state clearly the grounds of his appeal has issued to him. On return of the completed form his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and the pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
443.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who applied for a deserted wife's benefit last September will receive the allowance.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit for herself and two qualified children at the maximum rate of £67.90 per week, with effect from 20 September 1984. An order book payable from 17 January 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. A payable order for the arrears for the period from 20 September 1984 to 16 January 1985 will be sent direct to her shortly.
444.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an oral hearing of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be given by him.
The person concerned did not specifically request an oral hearing of his case when he appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from land exceeded the statutory limit. The appeals officer determined the case summarily and also decided that his means exceeded the statutory limit and he was notified accordingly on 31 December 1984.
445.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid arrears of unemployment assistance from October 1983, when he started signing on, until 8 August, when he received the benefit.
There are no arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned in respect of the period 17 October 1983 to 7 August 1984 as he was assessed with means exceeding the statutory limit during that period and his claim was disallowed. He appealed against this decision and an appeals officer also decided that his means exceeded the statutory limit for this period and he was informed accordingly.
446.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an application for an invalidity pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be decided upon.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 30 January 1984 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 November 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.
447.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a supplementary welfare allowance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork by the Southern Health Board.
It is understood from the Southern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the supplementary welfare allowances scheme in County Cork, that an application for an allowance from the person concerned has been refused on the ground that he is in full-time employment, and thereby statutorily disqualified for receipt of an allowance. He has been advised of his right to appeal against the refusal of the allowance.
448.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason arrears of a single woman's allowance have not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork even though she has her book since 16 July 1984.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance during the period 19 July 1984 to 10 October 1984 and details of payments were forwarded from the local office at which she was claiming to headquarters to enable the balance of single woman's allowance arrears, to which she had become entitled, to be paid. The relevant papers, however, went astray in transit and only recently came to hand. The adjusting arrears of single woman's allowance amounted to £41.52 and a paying order for that amount issued to her last week.
449.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as she has lodged an appeal confirming that she is available for work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 12 November 1984 but following the completion of inquiries her claim was disallowed for the period 12 November 1984 to 4 December 1984 on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed against the disallowance and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination of her entitlement to unemployment benefit for the period stated. Her claim was, however, allowed from 5 December 1984 at the appropriate weekly rate of £32.75 as she satisfied the required conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit from that date. An order paying all arrears due from 5 December 1984 issued to her on 11 January 1985 and further weekly payments are being made as they become due.