(Limerick West): asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
482.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned has been disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his holding exceed the statutory limit. He has been informed accordingly. 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 has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
483.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 January 1983. According to the records of the Department all benefit payable from 7 January 1983, the fourth day of incapacity, to 16 March 1985, has been issued and no delay in issuing payment has occurred. The address quoted by the Deputy is different from the one to which the Department is issuing payments and correspondence and no notification of a change of address has been received from the person concerned.
484.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Following a routine review of the old age pension entitlements of the person concerned, it was found that there had been an increase in her means since the date of the last assessment. Accordingly, it was decided that she is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £23.30 from 16 November 1984. This is the rate to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of the weekly value of rent from a public house, intestacy interest in a holding and capital. The appropriate pension book payable from 22 February 1985 issued on 25 February 1985 and a payable order covering arrears of pension due from 16 November 1984 to 21 February 1985 issued on 4 March 1985.
485.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was refused unemployment benefit; the reason the data submitted on her behalf to prove that she was available for work was not acceptable to his Department; and the reason the standard six weeks penalty of non-payment of benefit was not applied in her case as she is receiving no unemployment benefit.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be fully available for work and must be genuinely seeking work. Where a claim for unemployment benefit is disallowed on the grounds that the applicant is not available for work the disallowance stands for as long as she remains unavailable for work. There is accordingly no standard six weeks penalty in such cases.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not fully available for work. She appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of her case on 22 February 1985. The appeals officer also decided that she was not available for employment. She continued to sign the unemployment register and her entitlement to unemployment benefit is at present being reviewed in the light of her availability for full time employment and what efforts she is making to get employment from 23 February 1985.
486.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
There was a delay in issuing payment of disability benefit to the person concerned while the position with regard to his application for supplementary welfare allowance was being clarified with the South Eastern Health Board. The position has now been resolved and the arrears of benefit payable less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the health board were issued to him on 7 March 1985. All benefit payable to the person concerned has been issued to 8 March 1985 the date of the latest medical certificate received.
487.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a new free travel pass will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
A from of application for replacement of his free travel pass has been issued to the person concerned. When the completed form is returned to the Department, the question of issuing a replacement pass will be considered and he will be notified of the outcome.
488.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be increased in view of the fact that she no longer has any savings.
The means of the person concerned were assessed at £18.45 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings on her sister's holding. She is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £11.50 weekly the appropriate rate £29.95 less means £18.45. She did not appeal against the amount of means assessed against her and the time allowed for appeal has now expired. However, if she feels that her circumstances have changed it is open to her to request a review of her means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
489.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded an increased level of unemployment assistance payments in view of the real hardship he is experiencing at present as he has no other income.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £7.65 weekly the appropriate rate £69.65 less means £62. His means are derived from self-employment. 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 case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination and his rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
490.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit payments will be reinstated for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the fact that two doctors have certified that he is permanently incapable of work; and if his Department will expedite the second hearing by the medical referee.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 4 March 1985 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He has indicated to the Department that he wishes to appeal the decision to disallow payment but to date he has not submitted medical evidence of incapacity for work subsequent to 2 March 1985. This evidence is necessary before his appeal can be proceeded with. The circumstances of the medical examination are being investigated.
491.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
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 the value of capital exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer on 18 January 1985 assessed him with means of £70.40 weekly which exceeds the maximum rate appropriate to him as a married man with two qualified children. He was notified accordingly.