asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive his pay-related insurance money as he has been signing on for eight months and so far has received no pay-related money.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
473.
The person concerned was paid unemployment assistance from 7 May 1984 to 5 January 1985. A new benefit year commenced on 7 January 1985 and payment of unemployment benefit of £35.90 weekly was allowed from that date as he satisfied the contribution condition during the governing contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984.
Pay-related benefit may be payable with unemployment benefit and is calculated on the basis of reckonable earnings in the relevant income tax year which in the case of the person concerned is 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983. As he has no reckonable earnings in Ireland from 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 his British contribution record has been invoked under the provision of the EC Regulations as he was employed in Britain for a portion of the period involved. His entitlement to pay-related benefit from 7 January 1985 will be determined in the light of these inquiries.
474.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the delays involved in issuing an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who applied in November 1984.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension at the weekly rate of £42.55, which is the rate appropriate to a single person or a widower, from 1 November 1984. A pension book payable from 21 February has been issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 1 November 1984 to 20 February 1984, less the amount of disability benefit paid in the same period, will be paid by payable order. His claim for an increase in pension in respect of a grandson is under investigation at present and he will be notified of the outcome.
475.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of unemployment benefit has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who believes her contributions entitle her to a further four months benefit.
The person concerned, who is a married woman, made a claim to unemployment benefit on 16 May 1983. The deciding officer disallowed the claim with effect from the date of claim on the grounds that the claimant was not available for employment. An appeals officer subsequently upheld the deciding officer's decision but allowed the claim from 13 October 1983. The claimant was subsequently paid unemployment benefit until she exhausted her entitlement having reached 312 days on 5 November 1984.
476.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the application of a person (details supplied) for a family income supplement will be dealt with.
The claim of the person concerned for family income supplement has been disallowed on the ground that his weekly income as stated on the claim form exceeds £125, the maximum amount for entitlement to a supplement in the case of a person with three qualified children. He has been notified of the decision and of his right to appeal if he is dissatisfied with it.
477.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant a free electricity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as it has been denied for several months despite the fact that the allowance was originally granted and her circumstances have not changed since.
The person concerned applied for a free electricity allowance following the death of her husband who had been in receipt of the allowance. The information supplied indicated that she lived with her adopted son. As her son was not a person who came within the categories for satisfying the living alone conditions of the scheme the free electricity allowance was terminated. Subsequent inquiries have revealed that her son is no longer resident with her and the allowance has been restored with effect from 1 November 1984.
478.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an oral hearing by an appeals officer will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Laois in respect of his application for unemployment assistance made last September and which was refused.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parent's holding exceeded the maximum rate appropriate to him. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to an appeals officer who will determine the case at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime he is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
479.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he did not satisfy the contribution conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit. He claimed unemployment assistance on 25 January 1985 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. When these inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
480.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for a revision of payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who has applied for an old age pension.
The person concerned has appealed against the decision which disallowed his claim to an old age non-contributory pension on the grounds that his means, consisting of the weekly value of a holding and capital exceeded the statutory limit. The case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome in due course.
481.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is in receipt of the proper rate of unemployment assistance.
Following reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £14.40 per week. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £48.55 weekly being the appropriate rate £62.95 less means £14.40. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him. An appeals officer also assessed him with means of £14.40 weekly and he was notified accordingly on 17 January 1985. Weekly payments of £48.55 will continue to be paid as they become due.
482.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for an appeal to be carried out in respect of the application of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo for unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £65.40 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arising out of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his claim will be referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means and his rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
483.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was not paid pay-related benefit from March 1984 to October 1984 when he was in receipt of unemployment benefit.
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 a claimant. The 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned was £90.39 and as the flat-rate unemployment benefit payable since 20 March 1984 was £97.80 per week increased to £104.75 per week from 5 July 1984, pay-related benefit was not payable in his case.
484.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a funeral grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork on behalf of her late father.
There is no trace of a claim having been received in this case. From the information supplied by the Deputy it has been established that the contribution conditions for receipt of the grant are satisfied. A claim form has been issued to the person concerned and on its return the grant will be paid.
485.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was in receipt of unemployment benefit will receive unemployment assistance; and the reason for the delay.
The person concerned exhausted her entitlement to unemployment benefit on 21 January 1985 She made a claim for unemployment assistance on 22 January 1985 and her claim was authorised at the weekly rate of £40.35, the appropriate rate in her case. She is a postal applicant and she was sent an order for encashment at her local post office last week, in respect of the period from 22 January 1985. Further weekly payments will continue as they become due.
486.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given in relation to an appeal against a reduction in unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The appeal of the person concerned against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim has not yet been determined. Arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was returned to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries. These inquiries were recently completed and arrangements are being made to have his case referred to an appeals officer who will deal with the appeal at the earliest opportunity. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
487.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in relation to an appeal against the disallowance of unemployment assistance.
Following an oral hearing of the appeal, at which the person concerned attended, the appeals officer directed that certain inquiries should be made after which he would give his decision in the case. When these inquiries are completed the outcome will be submitted to the appeals officer and the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of his decision.