asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of social assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
530.
A payable order for the arrears in question was sent to the person concerned on 22 March 1985.
531.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the nonpayment of arrears of a children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
According to the Department's records the person concerned has been issued with the correct rate of allowance for three qualified children and no arrears of allowance are due to her. In view of the information furnished by the Deputy, however, a letter setting out details of the payments made on her claim has been issued to the person concerned and her allowance book has been recalled for inspection. When her reply is received the matter will be re-examined and she will be notified of the outcome.
532.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is only getting £14.35 unemployment assistance; and the basis upon which means are assessed against him.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £15.60 weekly and he is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £14.35 weekly being the appropriate rate of unemployment assistance £29.95 less £15.60 means. The assessment of his means is calculated on the basis of the value of his board and lodging in his parent's home by reference to the net wages earned by his father. The assessment is however subject to a limit that the amount of means so assessed shall not exceed 12½ per cent of his parents net income and in accordance with this limitation his weekly means were assessed at £15.60. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and to have his means assessed by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
533.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will transfer the payment of old age pension from Friday to Thursday in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Arrangements are being made to transfer the person concerned from old age contributory pension to retirement pension which is payable on Thursday. There will not be any change in her weekly rate of payment.
534.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay arrears of social welfare benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
It has not been possible to trace a benefit claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number or claim reference number can be quoted this would enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied.
535.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway despite the fact that this person has disclosed all information pertaining to her application; if, in view of the fact that this person has no income whatever, he will now direct his Department to make an immediate weekly payment on a regular basis along with a payment of all arrears due; the date on which these payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on this serious matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to disclose details of her means she failed to show that her means did not exceed the statutory limit. She recently appealed against this decision and arising out of contentions made by her in support of her appeal her case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed her case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination and her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
536.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the precise position in respect of an applicant for a qualification certificate (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is presently in receipt of unemployment benefit of £80.60 in circumstances where his appeal may be rejected and his wife's earnings are £3,185 per annum and the unemployment benefit or assistance which will be paid to this person.
The person concerned exhausted his title to enemployment benefit on 21 March 1985 when he received 390 days benefit. He claimed unemployment assistance but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the benefit of his wifes earnings exceed the statutory limit applicable to him, £2,935,40 per annum. He recently appealed against the amount of the means assessed against him and his case was referred to the appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
537.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare, if he will increase the amount of pay-related benefit which is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment 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 is in receipt of the maximum flat rate of unemployment benefit to which she is entitled £32.75 weekly. The 85 per cent limit applicable to her is £34.84 and accordingly, the weekly amount of pay-related benefit to which she is entitled is limited to £2.09 weekly. Combined payments of £34.84 representing flat rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit will continue to be made as they become due.
538.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in respect of an appeal concerning unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 30 September 1983 on the grounds that his means, derived from his holding and from the sale of fowl, exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and requested an oral hearing of his case. An oral hearing of the appeal was arranged and it took place on 15 February 1985. The appeals officer also assessed him with means in excess of the statutory limit and disallowed his unemployment assistance claim. He was notified accordingly.
539.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made with regard to the application for a free telephone rental allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
At the request of the Deputy on 14 March 1985 an application form for a free telephone rental allowance was issued to the person concerned. When the completed application form is received in the Department a decision will be given in the case and the applicant will be notified of the outcome.
540.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick concerning a reduction in the payment of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £24.80 weekly the appropriate rate £54.80 less means £30. His means are derived from benefit from his wife's earnings and 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.
541.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in respect of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick against the decision of the deciding officer with regard to his unemployment assistance.
Arising out of contentions made in support of his appeal against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit the case of the person concerned has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
542.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £29.95 weekly the appropriate maximum rate appropriate to him. All arrears due to him were paid on 21 March 1985 and weekly payments of £29.95 will continue to be made as they become due.
543.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive an old age pension.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £76.60 from 1 February 1985 which includes an adult dependant allowance of £11.75 in respect of his wife and dependant child allowance of £41.55 in respect of his five children. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of half weekly value of a holding. The appropriate pension books payable from 1 March 1985 issued on 22 March 1985 and a payable order covering arrears of pension due for the period 1 February 1985 to 28 February 1985 is in the course of being issued.
544.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be paid unemployment assistance as he has a wife and one dependent child.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment as a painter exceeded the statutory limit. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
545.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the application of a person (details supplied) in County Clare for disability pension will be approved.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at regular weekly intervals and payment has been made to date. A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to him and on its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
546.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the many complaints being made by social welfare recipients in the Clondalkin area of County Dublin regarding delays in the payment of their weekly benefit as a result of errors in postal deliveries in the area, he will make alternative arrangements for payment in such cases so as to avoid the serious hardship being caused to many families, and if his Department will investigate this matter.
It is understood from An Post that there have been some problems with postal deliveries of payment dockets to unemployed people in the Clondalkin area recently following the opening by Dublin Corporation of new housing estates in the area. The problem of mis-delivery is essentially a matter for An Post but An Post has indicated that the problem has now been largely resolved. A suitable premises for an employment exchange in Clondalkin was recently acquired and is expected to be in service later this year. The provision of the new exchange will do away with the need for sending payments through the post to claimants in Clondalkin.
547.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry against the decision to discontinue payment of his unemployment assistance.
Following reinvestigation the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him of £34.60 derived from the profit from his holding exceeded the maximum rate payable to him. He recently appealed against this decision 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. When these inquiries are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
548.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has been signing on since early January 1985, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until his case has been investigated and his means have been assessed. A social welfare officer has to date made a number of calls at his home address but he was not available for interivew. The social welfare officer is however arranging to call again to pursue the investigation of his means and when the inquiries are completed his case will be 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.
549.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has not received occupational injury benefit despite the fact that he sustained his injuries after falling from a scaffolding while working.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 10 April 1984 in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an alleged accident at work on that date. Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident he was allowed disability benefit on an interim basis from 14 April 1984, the fourth day of certified incapacity and pay-related benefit from 2 May 1984, the nineteenth day of incapacity.
An inquiry form to confirm details of the accident was issued to the employers at the address indicated by the claimant. The letter was returned undelivered as was also a subsequent letter issued to them at a different address indicated by the claimant. The matter was referred to a social welfare officer for further investigation including the question of the insurability under the occupational injuries scheme of the employment which was by way of price work. The claim will be decided as soon as possible.
550.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused unemployment assistance; how the figure of means of £32.80 was assessed against him; and the proportion of means assessed for money in the bank, land and under other headings.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £32.80 weekly derived from the profit from letting his holding and from the value of capital. The profit from his holding was calculated on the basis of a gross income of £1,200 per annum less £30 per annum by way of expenses incurred in earning that income. Accordingly he was deemed to enjoy a profit of £1,170 per annum from his holding.
His capital amounted to £5,554.90 and was calculated in accordance with statutory provisions at £535.49 per annum. On the basis of a total annual income of £1,705.49 his weekly means were calculated at £32.80 by dividing his total income by 52. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £32.80. He was notified accordingly and his claim continues to be disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeds the maximum rate payable to him.
551.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a telephone rental allowance has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who is receiving disability benefits.
To qualify for a free telephone rental allowance, a person in receipt of a qualifying payment must be living entirely 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.
The person concerned is in receipt of a qualifying pension and is residing with her husband who is not, from the information furnished, permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. Her application was therefore refused and she was notified to this effect on 12 February 1985.
Her husband's entitlement to the allowance in his own right is now under consideration and he has been requested to supply additional information in the matter. When this is received a decision will be made and he will be notified of the outcome.
552.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free telephone rental allowance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
To qualify for a free telephone rental allowance, a person, in receipt of a qualifying payment, must be living entirely 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. The person concerned and his wife are both in receipt of qualifying pensions. Either of them could therefore qualify for the allowance provided the other is permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. From the medical evidence furnished this does not appear to be the case and the application was accordingly refused. The applicant was notified to this effect on 7 March 1985.
If the person concerned is dissatisfied with this decision, it is open to him to submit more comprehensive medical evidence in support of his claim. On receipt of such medical evidence in the Department his application will be reviewed and he will be notified of the outcome.
553.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will sanction payment of a deserted wife's allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin.
The person concerned was awarded deserted wife's allowance with effect from 12 July 1984. An order book from 14 March 1985 was sent to the designated post office on 11 March 1985 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. A payable order in respect of arrears for the period 12 July 1984 to 13 March 1985, less adjustment for supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the Eastern Health Board during that time, will be sent direct to her as soon as a refund claim is received from the health board.
554.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons disability benefits are not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway despite the fact that this person is out ill since November 1984 and has been forwarding weekly certs from his doctor; the reasons he is only being paid at irregular intervals; if he will direct his Department to ensure that continuous regular weekly payments are made to this person; if he will assure the recipient of this situation; the up to date position regarding the current payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 November 1984 and is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £80.15, the maximum rate appropirate to a married man with two dependent children. Payment is issued at weekly intervals on receipt of medical evidence. All benefit payable has been issued to 18 March 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received. To ensure regular weekly payments, the person concerned should submit medical evidence on a regular basis.