asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for an early decision on the old age pension appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
518.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the grounds that he does not fulfil the statutory condition as to means. His means consisting of the weekly value of capital, the disposal of which has not been accepted for old age pension purposes, exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
519.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin can now be approved for disability benefit pursuant to his application, having regard to the medical evidence submitted by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 13 January 1984 and payment was issued to 11 January 1985 based on his contribution record in the 1982-83 contribution year.
From 12 January 1985 his entitlement to continuing benefit depended on his insurance record in the 1983-84 contribution year. There was an interruption in payment while this entitlement was being investigated but payment has now been restored and the arrears payable, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Eastern Health Board, were issued to him on 11 February 1985. Arrangements have been made to issue payment to the person concerned at regular weekly intervals on receipt of monthly medical evidence and all benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to date.
520.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person in receipt of unemployment assistance with no other source of income and living alone is eligible under the national fuel scheme.
The national fuel scheme was introduced in 1980 to provide heating assistance in the winter months for social welfare pensioners and recipients of similar long term payments who were living alone or only with a dependent spouse and/or children or other specified persons. Recipients of short term payments such as unemployment assistance are not included in the scheme.
521.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive arrears of her unmarried mother's allowance for the period 4 October 1984 to 13 December 1984.
A payable order for the arrears in question, less adjustment in respect of maternity allowance received by her for part of the period, has now been sent to the person concerned.
522.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. To determine the entitlement of the person concerned to invalidity pension arrangements were made to have him examined on 28 February 1985 by a medical referee of the Department. However, due to the non delivery of some post in the Limerick area, no information is available to the Department regarding this examination. The entitlement of the person concerned to invalidity pension will be reviewed as soon as the result of the medical referee examination is available.
523.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeals officer dealing with the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick whose invalidity pension was disallowed on 21 September 1984, will decide on the case; and if he will do so as a matter of urgency.
The appeals officer has decided to hold an oral hearing in the case of the person concerned. He will be notified of the time and place fixed for the hearing as soon as these arrangements have been completed. While every effort is made to deal with claims as quickly as possible it is not possible to ensure that the oral hearing is heard within a specified time.
524.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having arrears of an unmarried mother's allowance issued to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
A claim for unmarried mother's allowance in respect of the person concerned and her child, born on 2 May 1984, was received on 25 October 1984. She was awarded the allowance with effect from that date and a book with orders payable from 24 January 1985 was sent to the designated post office for collection by her. A payable order for the arrears for the period from 25 October 1984 to 23 January 1985, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the South Eastern Health Board, was sent to her on 5 March 1985.
525.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange a transfer from disability benefit to invalidity benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Disability benefit is being paid in respect of the person concerned at regular weekly intervals and payment has been made to date. Forms on which to claim invalidity pension were issued to him in November 1982 and February 1985. To date neither form has been received back in the Department. A further form has now been issued to the hospital authorities where he is a patient. On its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
526.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit due to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly for the period from 9 July 1984 to 30 July 1984 will be paid to him.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 July 1984 and was originally paid at the maximum rate for a single man from 13 July 1984, fourth day of incapacity. No benefit is payable for the first three days of illness.
He notified the Department on 1 August 1984 that he was a married man with five dependent children and the arrears of benefit payable for the period 13 July to 24 July 1984 were issued to him on 8 August 1984. However it now transpires that he was absent from work on 9 July 1984 and is therefore entitled to payment for 12 July 1984. The arrears for that day were issued to him on 12 March 1985. All benefit payable to 2 January 1985, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, has been issued to the person concerned.