asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the full rate unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
504.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £16.15 weekly derived from self-employment as a carpenter. Accordingly, he is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £83.65 weekly, the appropriate rate £99.80 less means £16.15. He recently requested that his means be reviewed and arrangements are being made to have his claim reinvestigated by a social welfare officer. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed when these inquiries are completed.
505.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
It was decided on 10 January 1985 that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age non-contributory pension on the grounds that he does not fulfil the statutory condition as to means. His means consisting of his weekly income from selling logs, income from car dealing, the weekly value of a plot of land, and capital exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the decision given on his claim it is open to him to appeal against it.
506.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a death grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in respect of a relative who died recently.
There is no trace of a claim having been received in this case. A claim form has been issued to the person concerned. On its return the claim will receive prompt consideration.
507.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to unemployment benefit on 28 January 1985. He had made an application for unemployment assistance on 14 December 1984 and his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. These inquiries were recently completed and arrangements have been made to have his means determined by a deciding officer this week. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the deciding officer's decision.
508.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when social welfare benefits will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The claim of the person concerned to a social assistance allowance is at present under investigation. She has been visited by a local officer of the Department but it will also be necessary to interview her husband. When this has been done and the reports are received a decision will be given and the claimant will be notified of the outcome without delay.
509.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when invalidity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is fully qualified for same.
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 has been in receipt of disability benefit since 22 April 1978 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 12 February 1985. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
510.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the full rate of unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
511.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be paid arrears of unemployment benefit further to an appeal.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 29 October 1984 and his claim was disallowed from 27 October 1984 to 7 December 1984 on the grounds that he lost his employment through circumstances within his own control. His unemployment benefit claim was however allowed from 8 December 1984 at the weekly rate of £70.25, being the appropriate rate payable in his case. As the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him pending a decision on his claim exceeded the amount of unemployment benefit due to him all arrears have been refunded to his local health board. Further weekly payments of £70.25 will be made as they become due.
512.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when free telephone rental will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
To qualify for a free telephone rental allowance a person who is aged under 66 must be in receipt of an invalidity or blind persons pension from the Department or a disabled persons maintenance allowance from a health board. The person concerned who is under age 66 is in receipt of deserted wive's benefit which does not entitle her to the allowance.
513.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a family income supplement will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The claim form for family income supplement submitted by the person concerned did not show all the particulars required and was accordingly returned to him on 30 January 1985 for completion in full. On receipt of the completed form a decision will be given on the claim without delay.
514.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
When the person concerned made his claim for unemployment benefit on 14 December 1984, inquiries had to be made to ascertain the reason for the termination of his employment. These inquiries have been completed and his claim has been allowed at the weekly rate of £37.25, being the appropriate rate payable in his case. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
515.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 8 November 1984 and his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. These inquiries were recently completed and arrangements are being made to have his means determined by a deciding officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him by the deciding officer.
516.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when family income payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned has been awarded family income supplement at the weekly rate of £7.75 from 6 September 1984. The appropriate order book was issued to the designated post office on 25 January 1985 and the claimant was notified accordingly.
517.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who is due disability benefit since 24 November 1984 has not been paid.
All disability benefit and pay-related benefit payable to the person concerned from 24 November 1984 to 1 February 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued. There had been an interruption in payment while the position regarding continuing medical certification was being looked into.
518.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange a refund of PRSI contributions in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is employed part time with Kildare County Council fire brigade.
A refund was made to Kildare County Council, the employer of the person concerned on 4 February 1985 and he has been advised to claim his share of this, amounting to £173.14, from the council.
519.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free telephone rental allowance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
To qualify for a free telephone rental allowance a person in receipt of a qualifying payment must be living 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. An application from the person concerned, which was received on 12 July 1984, had to be refused as his wife is not, from the information furnished, permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. He was notified accordingly on 27 July 1984.
520.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been disallowed to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if payments will be resumed; and, if so, the amount that will be paid.
The person concerned does not appear to have been in touch with his local office since he last signed on for unemployment assistance on 30 August 1982. If he now wishes to claim unemployment assistance he should complete an application form which is available at his local office. His means will then be investigated and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
521.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unemployment assistance will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit but following the completion of inquiries his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he did not satisfy the contribution conditions for unemployment benefit. His employment was not appropriate to a class of contribution which provided cover against unemployment. His claim for unemployment assistance has however been allowed and arrangements have been made to commence weekly payments at £92.80 being the maximum rate applicable to him £105.60, less £12.80 means, this week. He was however in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance and when the amount due for reimbursement to his local health board is known the balance of any arrears due will be paid to him.
522.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a children's allowance book was not returned to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has seven children; and if he will have it made available to her as soon as possible.
The person concerned returned her allowance book on 6 December 1984 for amendment following investigations which revealed that an overpayment had occurred on her claim. A letter, outlining the circumstances of the overpayment, was issued to the claimant on 31 January 1985 and her amended allowance book, payable from January 1985, has been returned.
523.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is an unmarried mother will be paid arrears due since 9 October 1984.
A payable order for arrears of unmarried mother's allowance for the period from 11 October 1984 (the Thursday following the birth of her child) to 12 December 1984, less adjustments in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the Southern Health Board and invalidity pension paid to her father for her support during that time, was sent to the person concerned on 30 January 1985.
524.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason he has requested a person (details supplied) in County Cork to return his pension book as he is living alone and there has been no change in his means since he was last granted pension.
Following a routine review of the old age pension entitlement of the person concerned it was found that his means had increased since the date of the last assessment. Accordingly he was requested to return his pension book for the appropriate adjustment. On the return of his pension book a new book at the reduced rate of £35.30 will be issued to him without delay. His living alone allowance book has not been recalled. When the pension has been adjusted in accordance with the revised means assessment it will be open to him, if he is dissatisfied with the decision, to appeal against it.
525.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not in receipt of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £16.35 weekly derived from benefit of his father's pensions. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £15.40 weekly being the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £16.35. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
526.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a free electricity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied to the local ESB office in July 1984.
An application for a free electricity allowance was received from the person concerned in October 1984. The application was approved and the applicant was notified accordingly on 1 November 1984. The ESB have confirmed that the allowance has been applied to his electricity account from the November-December 1984 billing period onwards. There is no trace of any previous application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned.
527.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not being paid social welfare disability benefit at the maximum rate.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 June 1984 and payment was issued from 28 June 1984, the fourth day of incapacity. Overlapping benefits regulations provide that where a person is in receipt of deserted wife's benefit, disability benefit is payable at a reduced rate. Disability benefit is payable to the person concerned at the weekly rate of £19.28, the appropriate rate for a person in receipt of deserted wife's benefit at the weekly rate of £42.80.
528.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in hearing the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £53.30 the appropriate rate £54.80 less means £1.50. His means were derived from the value of capital. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer on 28 March 1984 also assessed his means at £1.50 weekly. He was informed accordingly.
529.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the suspension of disability benefit due to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin having regard to (a) the fact that the suspension was based on the failure of the subscriber to attend for a medical examination in December 1984, but the letter requesting him to attend for this examination was not received by him as indeed on a number of previous occasions social welfare cheques and other correspondence was not received by the subscriber at his address and (b) that he has since attended for further medical examinations and was found to be disabled.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 October 1982 and was paid to 26 January 1985. He did not attend for examination by a medical referee of the Department on 18 December 1984 and as a result, payment of benefit was disallowed for the statutory period of six weeks from 28 January 1985 to 9 March 1985. He was informed of the disallowance of benefit on 23 January 1985 but did not offer any excuse for his non attendance. The person concerned has since been examined on 28 January 1985 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
530.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans he has to provide adequate accommodation or a new premises for the employment exchange in Kilkenny city.
Pending the provision of a new employment exchange in plans which the Office of Public Works have for new government offices in Kilkenny, a temporary employment exchange for women claimants has been opened since 28 January at Old Callan Road, Kilkenny.
531.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 21 November 1984 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. These inquiries which were extensive were recently completed and arrangements are being made to refer the case to a deciding officer for assessment of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
532.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was not granted unemployment benefit; if he will have the matter rectified and all arrears due paid.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 23 October 1984 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed against the disallowance and an oral hearing of her case was arranged to take place on 7 February 1985. However, she informed the local office that she would be unable to attend. When she is in a position to attend the hearing, she should inform the local office and arrangements will then be made to have the case determined by an appeals officer.
533.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid either unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance as he has not been paid since he first applied in June 1984, although he is registered with and in touch with his local National Manpower office since 12 June 1984; and the reason the unemployment forms are not now being issued to this person weekly through the Newmarket office.
Entitlement to unemployination ment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 14 May 1984 and his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of his case on 8 November 1984. The appeals officer also decided that he was not available for employment and disallowed his unemployment benefit claim. He was notified accordingly. He has not been in touch with his local office since 13 November 1984 when he signed off the unemployed register.
534.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid at pay-related rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant must have sufficient reckonable earnings during the income tax period governing his claim.
The person concerned had no reckonable earnings during the relevant income tax period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 and he is accordingly not qualified for pay-related benefit in addition to flat rate unemployment benefit in respect of his current claim which commenced on 8 August 1983.
535.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an increase in unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry having regard to the application made by Deputy John O'Leary for an increase on his behalf many months ago.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £16.10 weekly being the appropriate rate payable to him £29.95 less means £13.85 derived from self-employment. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £13.85 weekly. He applied for a reinvestigation of his means on 4 December 1984 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. These inquiries were recently completed and on 21 January 1985 a deciding officer again assessed his means at £13.85 weekly.
536.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension from 1 November 1984. A pension book payable from 7 February 1985 has been issued to the designated post office of payment and arrears in respect of the period from 1 November 1984 to 6 February 1985 less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period will be paid by payable order.
537.
asked the Minister for Social Wefare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £57.65 weekly derived from the profit from his holding and from self-employment as a contractor. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £1.75 weekly effective from 17 September 1984. All arrears due to him will be paid this week and weekly payments of £1.75 will continue to be made as they become due.
538.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is awaiting payment since October 1984.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 29 September 1984 and was paid to 13 October 1984 after which date he was certified fit to return to work. He again claimed disability benefit from 15 October 1984 but he submitted only one medical certificate indicating that he was incapable of work. Further medical evidence is necessary to establish the duration of incapacity before any payment can be made. He has been requested to submit evidence of his incapacity subsequent to 15 October 1984. When this is received his claim will be dealt with without delay.
539.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the loss, if any, in the amount of pension payable to workers, for example those in CIE who after 20 years service as busmen paying the full PRSI contribution are then promoted to supervisor and pay the lower PRSI contribution until they reach retirement age and do not, therefore, qualify for contributory social welfare pensions under existing regulations and the action he will consider to remedy this anomaly.
540.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has considered the case made by the supervisors in CIE Dublin bus service (details supplied) in connection with their dissatisfaction arising from the anomalies and injustices with regard to their social welfare pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
541.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement regarding the position of supervisors in CIE whose social welfare entitlements are seriously adversely affected (details supplied).
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 539, 540 and 541 together.
The statutory contribution conditions for qualification for retirement and old age contributory pension provide that the person must (i) have contributions paid at an appropriate rate in respect of at least 156 weeks of insurable employment since his entry into insurance, and (ii) for retirement pension, have a yearly average of at least 24 contributions or, for old age contributory pension, have a yearly average of at least 20 contributions. This average is calculated over the period from 5 January 1953, or year of entry into insurance, if later, to the end of the contribution year preceding the one in which pension age is reached.
In calculating the yearly average a person having 20 years ordinary contributions since 5 January 1953 would in the normal course satisfy the qualifying conditions and would have an entitlement to pension from the Department although at a reduced rate.
A special reduced rate of contribution providing cover for widow's and orphan's pensions, deserted wife's and occupational injury benefits only is payable in respect of employment in the public service generally, including CIE, where the employment is permanent and pensionable and there are adequate superannuation and sick pay arrangements. Supervisory grades in CIE come within these categories. It is understood that the CIE grades involved are given credit for pre-promotion service for pension purposes in the company's own superannuation scheme.
The question of pension entitlements is a matter which has been raised by a number of people in relation to various categories of insured persons including CIE supervisors and has been put to the Commission on Social Welfare who are carrying out a general review of all social welfare schemes.
542.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for unemployment assistance on behalf of 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 the profit of his holding, exceeded the statutory limit. 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 were recently completed and his case was referred to an appeals officer who will deal with it at the earliest opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
543.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, will be awarded increased payments of unemployment assistance due to the high number of dependants; and if he will indicate the present position regarding the family income supplement application made by this person's wife.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £51.50 weekly, the appropriate rate £94 less means £42.50. His means are derived from the benefit of his wife's earnings. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £42.50 weekly, and he was notified accordingly.
The claim to family income supplement of his wife was disallowed on the grounds that the family's weekly income, assessed at £156, exceeds the maximum prescribed income limit of £155. Notification of the disallowance and of her right of appeal against it was issued to the claimant on 1 February 1985. She has also been notified of her entitlement to make a fresh claim, at any stage in future, if she considers that she may be entitled to a supplement.
544.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a reduced amount of unemployment assistance is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is married with four children, who has lodged an appeal against this decision and who is unable to obtain work.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £41.85 weekly being the appropriate rate £81.85 less means £40 weekly. His means are derived from self-employment as a contractor. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer on 29 January 1985 also assessed him with means of £40 weekly. He will be informed accordingly this week.
545.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been forwarding doctor's certificates since 28 August 1984.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit payable from 31 August 1984, fourth day of incapacity, to 19 January 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received. He is not entitled to payment of pay-related benefit as he had insufficient earnings in the 1982-83 year which governs his entitlement.
The delay in issuing benefit was due to a combination of factors. His claim was not received in the Department until 10 October 1984 but it was admitted from 28 August as he had been a patient in Mallow hospital. However, payment could not be made at the outset because according to the Department's records he did not have enough qualifying contributions in the year governing his claim. This problem was resolved in December when the question of outstanding contributions was clarified. Due to an administrative error the initial payments were not issued until 11 January 1985.
546.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £31.70 per week. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £55.05 weekly being the appropriate rate £86.75 less means £31.70. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and on 3 January 1985 an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £31.70 weekly. He has been informed accordingly.
547.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 who is confined to a wheelchair was refused invalidity pension.
It has not been possible from the information supplied to trace a disability benefit or invalidity pension claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number or the social insurance number of the claimant can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied. The person concerned is in receipt of a disabled person's maintenance allowance from the Eastern Health Board.
548.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 against a decision by his Department to terminate his disability benefit will be heard; if in view of a delay of ten days in informing him of the medical referee's decision, his appeal will be speeded up; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 5 September 1984 to 7 December 1984. Payment was disallowed after that date following his examination by a medical referee who considered him to be capable of work. He was subsequently certified fit to resume work on 7 January 1985 by his own doctor. The claimant appealed against the disallowance of his benefit and in this connection a form on which to set out the grounds for his appeal has been sent to him. When this is returned his case will be sent to an appeals officer for determination.
549.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was refused unemployment benefit.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions, paid or credited, in the governing contribution year. The person concerned did not satisfy the contribution condition during the contribution period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 which governed her entitlement to unemployment benefit from 7 November 1984 and her claim was accordingly disallowed. Preentry credits, which are awarded to new entrants to insurance, were not awarded to her in respect of the 1982-83 year as she had originally entered insurance in 1968. She appealed against the disallowance on 27 November 1984. An appeals officer also decided that she did not have the relevant contributions, paid or credited, in the governing contribution year and disallowed her unemployment benefit claim.
550.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Wexford qualifies for disability benefit either here or from Great Britain; and if not, if he will indicate if he is entitled to any other assistance as he is recovering from a nervous breakdown.
The person concerned was last insurably employed in the United Kingdom. Under the EC regulations on social security the claim for sickness benefit is, therefore, the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Accordingly, the claim and medical evidence were transferred to the UK authorities on 14 August 1984. Subsequent medical certificates were transferred to the Department of Health and Social Security on 6 September 1984 and 14 September 1984.
The Department of Health and Social Security have been contacted in the matter and have advised that the claimant is not entitled to sickness benefit as he does not fulfil the contribution conditions and that he was informed of the position on 30 November 1984. However the UK authorities have also indicated that the claimant should continue to forward medical evidence of incapacity, if he remains incapable of work, as he will be awarded credited contributions which will be reckonable for retirement pension purposes.
The person concerned has no Irish insurance record and is therefore not entitled to disability benefit. However, if his means are insufficient to meet his needs he may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance or a disabled person's maintenance allowance, both of which are subject to a means test. In this regard he should contact his local community welfare officer.
551.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and when arrears due will be paid.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been partially investigated. The social welfare officer is at present awaiting details regarding a deed of transfer. When this information is available the matter will be referred to a deciding officer for decision and the pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course. If old age pension is awarded to the person concerned the appropriate books and any arrears due will be issued without delay.
552.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 11 December 1984 and was paid flat-rate unemployment benefit of £37.25 weekly from that date being the appropriate rate applicable to a single man. It has now been established that he is also entitled to pay-related benefit of £22.80 weekly from 1 January 1985 and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of pay-related benefit due this week. Further combined weekly payments of flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit of £60.05 will be made as they become due.
553.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cause for the long delay in having the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for a free electricity allowance processed; and when approval will issue to the applicant.
An application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned was approved in June 1980 and the ESB have confirmed that the allowance has been applied to his electricity account.
An application for a free telephone rental allowance from the person concerned was received on 10 December 1984. To qualify for this allowance a pensioner must be living entirely alone or only with children under 15 years of age or with other people who are so incapacitated that they need constant care and attention and would therefore be unable to summon aid in an emergency. The person concerned lives with his wife who is also a qualifying pensioner but the medical evidence furnished does not indicate that either of them would be unable to summon aid for the other in an emergency. The application had therefore to be refused and a notification to this effect is in the course of issue.
554.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a children's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry having regard to the unusually long delay, which she experienced through no fault of her own, in getting the relevant birth certificate; and if he will pay all arrears due since the date of birth of the child.
In order to qualify for children's allowance from the date of birth of a child it is necessary to make a claim within three months of that date. The person concerned submitted an application for children's allowance on 16 November 1984 in respect of her daughter who was born on 25 August 1983. As there are no exceptional or extenuating circumstances for delay in making a claim for children's allowances in this case, the claim can only be awarded with effect from December 1984. The allowance book was issued to Dingle post office for collection by claimant on 2 January 1985.
555.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an application made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork for an invalidity pension will be processed.
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 has been in receipt of disability benefit since 9 June 1982 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Arrangements are being made to have her examined by a medical referee on 13 February 1985. Her entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
556.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state approximately the number of women who will avail of the extension of the social welfare benefit for optical, dental and aural treatment in the current budget; and the approximate cost in each category.
It is estimated that 26,000 women will avail of dental, optical and medical and surgical appliances benefits as a result of the extension of these schemes to expectant wives of qualified insured workers in the current financial year. The estimated expenditure on each of these benefits in the current financial year will be as follows:
|
Dental Benefit |
£400,000 |
|
Optical Benefit |
£90,000 |
|
Medical and Surgical Appliances Benefit |
£10,000 |
557.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when 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 22 June 1984. He is not qualified for benefit as regulations provide that where a claimant has no contributions paid or credited for any two consecutive contribution years preceding his claim, he cannot qualify for payment of disability benefit, or the award of credited contributions in respect of periods of incapacity for work, until he has a further 26 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned had no contributions paid or credited in the years 1971 and 1972 and has not had 26 weeks of insurable employment since that time. He has indicated that he worked in Great Britain during the period 1973 to 1975 and efforts are being made to establish his British insurance record. When this information comes to hand his entitlement to benefit will be reviewed without delay. The person concerned is currently in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the Southern Health Board.
558.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be heard.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of an appeal in respect of either an unemployment benefit or an unemployment assistance disallowance 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.
559.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be taken on the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry against the decision to discontinue payment of his unemployment assistance in view of the fact that he is married with six children and has no income presently; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his holding and from capital exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and his case was submitted to an appeals officer. The appeals officer required further information and the additional inquiries were recently completed. His case was returned to the appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. The case will be dealt with by the appeals officer at the earliest opportunity.
560.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a living alone allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The investigation of the claim for a living alone allowance for the person concerned has just been completed by the social welfare officer. When the file is received by the deciding officer the matter will be decided on and the pensioner will be notified of the outcome. If the allowance is awarded the appropriate pension book and any arrears due will issue without delay.
Unfortunately due to an administrative error there was a delay in having this case referred to the social welfare officer. Any inconvenience caused to the pensioner is regretted.
561.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 22 October 1984 and his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. These inquiries, which were extensive, have now been completed and arrangements are being made to have his claim referred to a deciding officer for assessment of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
562.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has been signing for it for a considerable period; and the cause of the long delay in finalising this application.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 5 November 1984 and her claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of her means. Her entitlement to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until inquiries which are at present being made by the social welfare officer about her means have been completed. It is expected, however, that the inquiries will be completed this week after which her means will be assessed and her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
563.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan is not receiving pay-related benefit.
Entitlement to pay-related 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 person concerned made a claim to unemployment benefit on 19 November 1984. The 85 per cent limit for pay-related benefit purposes applicable in his case is £74.14 and as he is in receipt of flat-rate unemployment benefit at £80.15 per week he is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
564.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was not paid eight weeks disability benefit rather than seven weeks benefit which he received between 24 November 1984 and 21 January 1985.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 November 1984 and was paid from 29 November 1984, fourth day of incapacity to 19 January 1985, after which date he was certified as fit to resume work. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 17 December 1984, nineteenth day of incapacity. All benefit payable on the claim has been issued.