asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free ESB electricity allowance will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
446.
A free electricity allowance cannot be granted to the person concerned as the pension which he is receiving is not one of the specified payments which would enable him to qualify for this benefit.
447.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason it is not possible to send disability benefit cheques on a regular and dependable weekly basis to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who relies on the money to supplement her weekly income.
The person concerned has been paid disability benefit since 6 September 1984 and all benefit due to her to 19 February 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued. Benefit is paid on receipt of medical certificates in the Department and an examination of payments made since 15 January 1985, shows that there was no undue delay in the issue of cheques.
448.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal regarding the payment of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 28 January 1985 and following investigation of his claim he was assessed with means of £9.60 weekly. His means are derived from beneficial occupation of his father's holding. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £20.35 weekly the appropriate rate £29.95 less means £9.60. All arrears due to him will be paid next week and weekly payments of £20.35 will continue to be made as they become due.
449.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement on the application for an old age pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and whether the pension being sought is contributory or non-contributory.
It has been decided that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age non-contributory pension on the grounds that her means, consisting of half the weekly value of capital, her husband's occupational pension and her own earnings, exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension. A form which will enable the person concerned to state clearly her grounds for appealing against the decision has recently been issued to the claimant and on its return the matter will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome in due course.
450.
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 on 27 August 1984. According to the Department's records, he did not satisfy the contribution condition during the contribution year which governed his claim. Extensive inquiries were recently completed and it has been established that his employment is insurable at a class providing cover against unemployment. The non-paid contributions have been treated as paid for purposes of his unemployment benefit claim and he is entitled to unemployment benefit at £32.75 weekly. All arrears of unemployment benefit due to him will be paid this week and further payments will be made as they become due.
451.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 17 October 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. In order that a person may be considered permanently incapable of work, it is necessary for him to, inter alia, have been continuously incapable of work for a period of one year. Therefore the earliest date on which the claimant can qualify for invalidity pension is 17 October 1985.