asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to the appeal against the decision to cancel his unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
506.
An appeals officer also assessed the means of the person concerned at £38.85 weekly. He was notified accordingly. Weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £33.40 being the appropriate rate £72.25 less £38.85 means continue to be made to him as they become due.
507.
(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who had to accept early retirement in 1982 has only been granted a weekly rate of £11.85 social welfare assistance; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £14.90 weekly the appropriate rate £32.80 less means £17.90. His means are derived from the value of capital and from a company pension. If however he considers that his circumstances have changed since the date on which his means were assessed it is open to him to have his case investigated. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
508.
(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 had his application for a fuel voucher refused; and if he will make a statement as to when an appeal lodged against this decision will be heard.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the national fuel scheme in the Dublin area, that the application of the person concerned for a fuel allowance under the 1984-85 national fuel scheme has been disallowed by the appeals officer on grounds of means. In addition to his retirement pension the applicant also has an occupational pension. Notice of the appeals officer's decision was sent to him on 12 March 1985. It is understood that the person concerned received a fuel allowance under the 1983-84 scheme due to the non-disclosure of his occupational pension.
509.
(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has not been granted the maximum rate of old age pension.
The person concerned is in receipt of an old age contributory pension since 14 January 1983 at the rate appropriate to a yearly average of 36 reckonable contributions. Her yearly average was calculated on the basis of her total of 795 contributions in the period from 5 July 1960 to 5 April 1982. A yearly average of at least 48 reckonable contributions is required to qualify for the pension at the maximum rate.
The person concerned has stated that she was not insured before 1967. The Department's records show, however, that she entered insurance on 12 September 1960 and had five paid contributions in the 1960-61 contribution year. She was also awarded ten pre-entry credits in respect of that year. There are no further contributions, paid or credited, on her record from that time until 1967.
510.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is in receipt of the correct amount of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £57.40 weekly being the appropriate rate £75 less means £17.60. His means are derived from the value of board and lodgings on his aunt's holdings. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £17.60 weekly. He is accordingly in receipt of the weekly rate of unemployment assistance to which he is entitled in accordance with the amount of means assessed against him. If there is any change in his circumstances, it will be open to him to re-apply to have his case re-investigated.
511.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that disability benefit is restored immediately to a person (details supplied) in Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 7 January 1985 following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and she was examined on 19 February 1985 by a different medical referee who also considered her to be capable of work. An appeal form has been issued to the claimant and she has been advised to return the form setting out the grounds for her appeal if she wishes her case to be referred to an appeals officer for determination.