asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unmarried mother's allowance will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
669.
A claim for unmarried mother's allowance was received from the person concerned on 21 January 1985 and she was awarded the allowance for the period from 24 January (the Thursday following the receipt of her claim) to 13 February 1985. Her allowance was terminated with effect from 14 February 1985 because she recommenced employment and her earnings exceeded the statutory limit applicable in her case. Payment for the period 24 January to 13 February 1985 was made to her by payable order on 27 March 1985.
670.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if payments will be awarded at the maximum possible rate in view of the fact that he has no other income and his father is on a low income.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £6.60 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home. His rate of unemployment assistance is £23.35 weekly being the maximum weekly rate payable to him £29.95 less £6.60.
He was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim and the amount which he received will be recouped to his local health board from arrears of unemployment assistance due to him. If he is dissatisified with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
671.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be reconsidered for a free electricity allowance; and, if not, if he considers that it is a gross anomaly that UK retirement pensioners can receive a free electricity allowance while UK invalidity pensioners cannot, while at the same time Irish invalidity pensioners are approved for a free electricity allowance.
A free electricity allowance cannot be granted to the person concerned as the British invalidity pension which he is receiving is not one of the specified payments which would enable him to qualify for this benefit.
The free electricity allowance scheme was introduced as an additional benefit for recipients of social welfare old age type pensions who also satisfied certain conditions. It has been extended, as circumstances permitted, to other categories of recipients. There are practical difficulties in relation to its extension to British invalidity pensioners because of differences between the Irish and British invalidity schemes. Any such extension, would, in any event, have significant cost implications for this and other schemes administered by the Department and there are no proposals at this time to extend the scheme in this way.
672.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be considered for an invalidity pension in view of the fact that one year's entitlement of disability benefit is exhausted and he is permanently incapacitated.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 January 1984.
Payment was suspended from 9 February 1985 pending investigations into his insurance record. The investigations were completed on 11 April 1985 when it was established that he was entitled to continuous payment of benefit while he remained medically incapable of work. Accordingly payment was restored and all arrears payable were issued to him.
He is currently being considered for a transfer to invalidity pension and an application form is being issued to him. In the meantime disability benefit will continue to be issued to him at regular weekly intervals on receipt of monthly medical evidence of his incapacity for work. All benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to date.
673.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cause of the long delay in having the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for an unmarried mother's allowance processed by his Department; and if he will arrange for early payment together with arrears.
The person concerned applied for an unmarried mother's allowance on 7 December 1984. Her claim was referred to a local officer of the Department for investigation in order to confirm that the claimant complied with the statutory requirements governing the award of an allowance. These inquiries took a considerable period.
The main inquiries have now been completed but the claimant is still unable to submit her own birth or baptismal certificate in support of her claim. In the circumstances, however, the Department proposes to put the allowance into payment on a provisional basis pending receipt of the necessary certificate and an allowance book payable from 25 April 1985 has been sent to her. Inquiries are continuing in order to trace her birth certificate, baptismal certificate or other satisfactory evidence of her identity and date of birth. The arrears will be paid when this is resolved.
674.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who wishes to be transferred from weekly payments to monthly payments.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 July 1984 and is currently paid at the weekly rate of £70.25, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with one dependent child. He is also in receipt of pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £21.62 and all benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to date.
He would need to be in continuous receipt of disability benefit for a period of 12 months before he can be considered for invalidity pension. In the meantime, arrangements have been made to issue payment to him on a regular weekly basis on receipt of monthly medical evidence of his incapacity for work.
675.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance and maternity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 30 July 1984 but the Department has no record of receipt of an application for maternity allowance. Her unemployment benefit claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment.
She appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of her case on 22 January 1985 an appeals officer also decided that she was not available for employment. She was notified accordingly and has not signed as unemployed since 22 January 1985.
676.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
677.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a contributory old age pension is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned reached age 66 years on 7 February 1985 and claimed a contributory old age pension on 18 January 1985. She was awarded the pension at the rate appropriate to a yearly average of 38 contributions with effect from 8 February 1985 i.e. the Friday following her 66th birthday. A contributory old age pension book containing orders payable from 5 April 1985 was issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. Arrears of contributory old age pension from 8 February 1985 to 4 April 1985 were issued to her by payable order on 17 April 1985.
678.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an oral hearing will be heard in respect of the application for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
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 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 the decision of the appeals officer. It is a matter for the appeals officer to decide whether he will hold an oral hearing of the appeal or whether he will decide the case summarily.
679.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a prescribed relative's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
A prescribed relative allowance is not payable where the relative is a married person who is wholly or mainly maintained by his-her spouse The husband of the person concerned has been in receipt of a contributory old age pension at the maximum rate since 26 March 1971 at the rate which includes an adult dependant's allowance in respect of her. Since she is, therefore, being wholly or mainly maintained by her husband, in these circumstances her brother is not entitled to a prescribed relative allowance in respect of her.
680.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal against a decision in relation to unemployment assistance will be decided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £38.45 per week with effect from 5 November 1984 derived from self-employment as a painter. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the appeals officer assessed his means at £38.45 from 5 November 1984 and £40.35 from 5 February 1985. Accordingly, he was not entitled to payment of unemployment assistance as the weekly means assessed against him exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance-payable to him. He was notified of the decision in his case on 27 February 1985.
681.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal against a decision in relation to unemployment assistance will be determined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £38.45 weekly with effect from 5 November 1984 derived from self-employment as a painter. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the appeals officer assessed his means at £38.45 from 5 November 1984 and £40.35 from 5 February 1985. Accordingly, he was not entitled to payment of unemployment assistance as the weekly means assessed against him exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. He was notified of the decision in his case on 27 February 1985.
682.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 March 1985 and payment was issued when medical evidence establishing the duration of his incapacity for work was received in the Department. All benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to 15 April 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
683.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly in relation to unemployment assistance.
The person concerned has not appealed against the means assessment in his case. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £12.85 being the appropriate rate £29.95 less means £17.10 derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home. The time allowed for appealing has expired. It is however open to him to apply for a review of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local employment office.
684.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare in view of the representations already made to him in relation to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 regarding the provision of free travel passes to the unemployed and as a final or satisfactory reply on the matter has not as yet been received, if he will now give an up-to-date reply.
The free travel scheme applies to all persons aged 66 and over, to blind persons aged 18 and over and to persons receiving social welfare type payments as permanently incapacitated persons. Extension of the scheme to include the unemployed would radically alter the nature of the scheme and would have very significant cost implications for this and other schemes administered by the Department. There are no plans for such an extension in present circumstances.
685.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the reduced weekly rate of £9.30 from 15 February 1985. This is the rate to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of the weekly value of income from the letting of land. The appropriate pension book payable from 5 April 1985 has issued and arrears due for the period 15 February 1985 to 4 April 1985 have issued separately. The delay in dealing with this case is due to pressure of work at the social welfare station concerned.
686.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons (details supplied) in County Cork have been refused free telephone rental.
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 residing with his wife, who is not, from the information furnished, permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. His application was therefore refused and he was notified to this effect on 9 January 1985.
687.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £24.80 weekly being the appropriate rate of unemployment assistance £59.40 less £34.60 means. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for a reinvestigation of his means and inquiries are still being made in the matter. When the investigations are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
688.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his means he failed to show his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal, his case was referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries were recently completed and his case was referred to an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
689.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who was a long-term psychiatric patient until obtaining relief work for three weeks and who had to resume psychiatric treatment, has not been paid disability benefit since 4 February 1985, despite having forwarded medical certificates; and if he will confirm that the payments have now resumed and that all arrears due have been paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 May 1983 to 16 January 1985 after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He again claimed disability benefit from 4 February 1985 and all benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to date. He incurred an overpayment of £55.99 on his original claim and this amount is being recovered by weekly deductions of £2 per week from his current entitlement. Arrangements have now been made to issue payment to the person concerned at regular weekly intervals on foot of monthly medical evidence of his incapacity for work.
690.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will confirm that unemployment benefit will now be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who was on a three day week for a short time and was then made redundant on 6 March 1985 and who has been told that it could take at least six weeks before he might be paid unemployment assistance and that unemployment benefit would not be paid until departmental investigations were carried out into his previous employer's contribution record.
According to the Department's records the person concerned did not satisfy the contribution conditions during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed his claim to unemployment benefit from 22 February 1985. However, the apparent non-payment of contributions by his employer is at present under investigation and when these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed.
He has also claimed unemployment assistance and as he was not the holder of a qualification certificate his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
691.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in paying arrears of unemployment benefit due to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 31 August 1984. He indicated that he did not reside with his wife and children and payment was issued at the weekly rate appropriate to a single man pending the completion of a form by his wife in respect of maintenance. This form was not returned to the Department and a second form was issued to her. This form has now been returned duly completed and the arrears payable less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the North Eastern Health Board have been issued to him.
All benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to 5 April 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
692.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for an old age pension on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £10.50 with effect from 4 January 1985. This is the rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children and whose weekly means exceed £34 but do not exceed £36. The means of the person concerned, derived from profits from a shop, were assessed at £34.61 a week.
She appealed against this decision and the case was returned to the local social welfare officer to reconsider the assessment of means in the light of the statement submitted by her in support of her appeal. The officer, when contacted, stated that he is waiting for a reply from the claimant's accountants. When the officer's report is received the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and the claimant will be notified of the outcome.
693.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a claim for unmarried mother's allowance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The claim of the person concerned is at present under investigation by a local officer of the Department. On receipt of the officer's report, which is expected within the next few days, a decision will be given without delay.
694.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite payment of PRSI money to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned against the disallowance of her unemployment benefit claim on the grounds that she was not available for work, an appeals officer allowed her claim with effect from 4 February 1985. All arrears of flat rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit have been paid and further combined payments of £49.31 representing flat rate unemployment benefit £32.75 and pay-related benefit £16.56 will be made as weekly payments become due.
695.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a claim for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until extensive inquiries, at present being made by a social welfare officer have been completed. When the inquiries are completed, his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly. He is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim.
696.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an application for supplementary allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Galway who is at present working 32½ hours per week.
One of the conditions for receipt of family income supplement is that a person must normally be engaged in remunerative employment as an employee for not less than 30 hours a week. The person concerned did not satisfy that condition and his claim to family income supplement had to be disallowed. The person concerned appealed against this decision but the appeals officer upheld the decision. As it is stated that this person is now working 32½ hours per week an application form has issued to him to enable him to submit a further claim. A decision will be given on the fresh claim, when received, without delay.
697.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason his Department has refused an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Laois and the reason it was not accepted that the applicant made genuine efforts to secure employment.
To be entitled to unemployment assistance an applicant must be the holder of a qualification certificate and to obtain a qualification certificate an applicant must fulfil certain conditions which include an assessment of his means. The person concerned failed to disclose his means and his application for a qualification certificate was disallowed on the grounds that he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He was accordingly not eligible for unemployment assistance. He again applied to have his means investigated and his case was returned to the social welfare officer for further investigations. It is expected that the inquiries will be completed shortly after which his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
698.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2.
The person concerned is in receipt of a disablement pension in respect of an accident at work on 4 May 1980. The rate of pension in payment is £9 a week which is appropriate to disablement assessed at 20 per cent. The assessment applies since September 1984 prior to which it was rated at 10 per cent.
Unemployability supplement of £32.75 a week has also been awarded in place of disability benefit from 1 February 1985 when that benefit was discontinued. The disability benefit, which had been paid from 2 February 1984, ceased to be payable as the person no longer satisfied the qualifying conditions for receipt of further benefit.
699.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for maximum rate unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £6.50 weekly with effect from 9 January 1985 derived from the profit from his holding. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer reduced the assessment to £3.85 weekly. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £82.90 weekly the appropriate rate £86.75 less means £3.85. All adjusting arrears due to him were paid on 19 February 1985.
700.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for maximum rate unemployment assistance to be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The means of the person concerned were assessed at £60.07 derived from profit from land and benefit from his wife's earnings. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer reduced the assessment of his means to £60 weekly effective from 22 August 1984. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £2.95 weekly being the appropriate rate £62.95 less means £60. If however his circumstances have changed since his means were determined by the appeals officer, it is open to him to have his case reinvestigated. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
701.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Arrears of living alone allowance covering the period from 19 June to 1 November 1984 will be sent to the claimant within the next few days.
702.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
It has been decided that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the grounds that his means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding, exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension. If, in the future, the claimant's circumstances change it is open to him to reapply for pension by notifying the Department to that effect.
703.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded increased payments of unemployment assistance in view of the fact that he appealed many weeks ago and the means assessed against him in June 1984 have substantially changed.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £49.40 weekly, being the appropriate rate £54.80 less means £5.40. His means are derived from his capital.
There is no record of an appeal from the person concerned against the means assessment and the time allowed for appeal has now expired.
He has however been advised to apply for review of his means but to date has not done so. If and when he completes the appropriate application form his case will be referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries following which his means will be reassessed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
704.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when full unemployment assistance payments will be made in respect of the dependants of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was allowed an increase in unemployment assistance for an adult dependant and a qualified child with effect from 25 January 1985.
All arrears of unemployment assistance due were paid on 21 March 1985 and further weekly payments at the appropriate long term rate of unemployment assistance £62.95 weekly are being made as they become due.
705.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford can be increased from their present low level further to the applicant's recent appeal.
The person concerned appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but as the time allowed to lodge an appeal had expired his case was referred to a social welfare officer to reinvestigate his means. Following the recent completion of inquiries he was again assessed with means at £19.20 weekly derived from the profit from his land and he has been notified accordingly. If he is dissatisfied with the latest assessment of his means it is open to him to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer.
In the meantime payments of weekly unemployment assistance at £12.55, being the appropriate rate £31.75 less £19.20 means, continues to be made to him as they become due.
706.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payments of unemployment benefit and of disability benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and, if so, when.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 4 March to 9 March 1985 when he ceased to sign the unemployment register. His claim was allowed and unemployment benefit amounting to £35.13 will be paid to him when he next calls to his local office or when he authorises a person to collect the sum on his behalf.
He claimed disability benefit from 11 March 1985 and payment has been issued to 2 April 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
He claimed supplementary welfare allowance from the South Eastern Health Board for the period 11 March to 30 March 1985 resulting in an overpayment of £177. A balance of £141.87 is still outstanding to the health board and this amount is being recovered by weekly deductions of £10 per week from his current entitlement.
Payment of disability benefit will continue to be issued to the person concerned on receipt of medical evidence of his incapacity for work.
707.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of a non-contributory widow's pension was discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
In the course of a review of her circumstances in November 1984 the person concerned refused to disclose certain details about her means to the social welfare officer. The widow's non-contributory pension which had been in payment to her was consequently terminated as it could not be established that her present means were such as to qualify her for receipt of pension.
On receipt of a letter from the claimant the officer was again asked to investigate her circumstances. When his report is received the case will be reviewed and she will be notified of the outcome. In the meantime if she is in need it is open to her to apply to the community welfare officer at the local health centre for help under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme.
708.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded unemployment benefit in view of the fact that the person is available for and seeking work; and when a decision will be given on this case.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 11 February 1985 and following the completion of inquiries her claim was allowed from that date at £30.90 weekly being the appropriate rate payable in her case. All arrears due were paid on 21 March 1985 and further weekly payments continue to be made as they become due.
709.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who submitted medical certificates to his Department from 5 March 1985.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit on 7 February 1985 in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an occupational accident on 5 February. Following the payment of disability benefit on an interim basis pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident, injury benefit was allowed from 8 February. Injury benefit over and above the disability benefit paid was issued in respect of the period to 16 February, after which he was certified fit to resume work.
710.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when dental benefits will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The Department has no record of the receipt of a claim for dental benefit in respect of the person concerned during the current year. The person concerned is qualified for dental benefit. If treatment is required he should contact his dentist and arrange to have the necessary application form forwarded to the Department.
711.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made regarding an old age pension for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned reached age 66 on 19 January 1985 and claimed a contributory old age pension on 14 March 1985. He has been awarded the pension at the maximum rate with effect from 25 January 1985, i.e. the Friday following his 66th birthday. A contributory old age pension book containing orders payable from 5 April 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly. Arrears of contributory old age pension have been sent to him by payable order.
712.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly as he applied several weeks ago.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him, £30.75 weekly derived from the profit from his land, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. He recently completed an appeal form at his local office and arrangements are being made to refer the case to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the amount of means which the appeals officer determines in his case.
713.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant a free telephone rental allowance to persons (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned has been approved for a free telephone rental allowance. She was notified to this effect on 10 April 1985. Telecom Éireann has been advised of the decision in this case and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which the applicant is provided with telephone service.
714.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the insurance record of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly as his contributions should be allowed as voluntary contributions; and if this person's wife will be eligible for a contributory pension.
The investigation requested is being undertaken and when a decision has been made a further communication will be issued to the Deputy.
715.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the weekly level of unemployment benefit to which a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is entitled; the level of allowance he is at present receiving; if there will be any change in this allowance in the current year; and the number of contributions that were paid by the applicant in the tax years 1983 and 1984.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 27 November 1984 and his claim was allowed at the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £96.55 weekly. However the sum of £10 per week is being deducted towards recovery of an overpayment assessed against him in respect of an irregular claiming of unemployment assistance in 1982. The balance outstanding to date is £219.55.
He does not however satisfy the contribution condition of having 280 paid contributions in the seven year period prior to the date of his claim to enable him to receive the maximum rate of unemployment benefit for the full period of 390 days. Subject to him remaining unemployed the rate of unemployment benefit payable to him will be reduced to £83.35 weekly from the day after he receives unemployment benefit for 156 days from the date of commencement of his claim.
According to records of the Department he has no paid contributions during the contribution years 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 and 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984. He did however receive credited contributions in respect of periods during which he was in receipt of unemployment assistance during those contribution years.
716.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for a retirement pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
On 9 April 1985 the person concerned supplied evidence of further employment which had not previously been recorded on his insurance record. Consequent on this he has been awarded the retirement pension at the maximum rate with effect from 28 June 1984, i.e. the Thursday following his 65th birthday.
A book containing orders payable from 25 April 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly. Arrears of retirement pension payable from 28 June 1984 to 24 April 1985, less unemployment assistance paid in this period, will be issued direct to him by payable order.
717.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in approving a free telephone rental allowance for a pensioner (details supplied) in County Waterford.
An application for a free telephone rental allowance from the person concerned which was received on 9 July 1984 was approved by the Department on 10 August 1984. Telecom Éireann was notified accordingly at that time. Telephone service was provided on 21 September 1984 and Telecom Éireann has confirmed that the allowance will appear on the applicant's next telephone account.
718.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory widow's pension will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned is in receipt of contributory old age pension at the rate of £47.55 per week, plus a further £9.95 per week in respect of a qualified child. This is greater than the rate of contributory widow's pension to which she would otherwise be entitled. A person cannot be paid the two pensions at the same time.
719.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is in receipt of the correct rate of disability benefit.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 November 1973 and is currently paid at the reduced weekly rate of £67.25. The increase in respect of his son who reached 18 years of age on 22 September 1984 continued to be issued to 8 December 1984. The resulting overpayment of £11.55 is being recovered by weekly deductions of £3 from his current entitlement and a balance of £50.25 is still outstanding. All benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to date.
720.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive unemployment assistance.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 11 March 1985 and his claim was allowed at the maximum rate appropriate to him £29.95 weekly. All arrears due were paid on 26 March 1985 and further weekly payments are being made as they become due.
721.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrears of a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to persons (details supplied) in County Wexford, if disabled persons' maintenance allowance payments from health boards are reduced by the means of a spouse who is in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension, and, if so, at what level.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the maximum weekly rate of £41.30 from 10 August 1984. The appropriate pension book payable from 26 October 1984 issued on 11 October 1984 and a payable order for £172.70 made up of £454.30 arrears of pension due for the period 10 August 1984 to 25 October 1984 less £281.60 supplementary welfare allowance paid to her for the same period issued separately in November 1984. All arrears of old age pension due to the person concerned have been paid.
722.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the fact that she is available for work and has received and submitted letters from employers to verify this.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 20 March 1985 the date after the appeals officer's decision on her original claim of 29 January 1985. Her claim of 20 March 1985 was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She was notified of this decision on 12 April 1985. It is open to her to appeal against the disallowance. A form for this purpose may be obtained from her local office.
723.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Galway whose unemployment assistance was cancelled.
An appeals officer on 20 March 1985 reduced the amount of means assessed against the person concerned to £49 weekly. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £74 weekly the appropriate rate £123 less means £49. All arrears due were paid on 28 March 1985 and further weekly payments are being made as they become due.
724.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against the decision on her widow's pension.
The appeal of the person concerned against the decision of 22 March 1984 refusing her a widow's non-contributory pension was disallowed by an appeals officer on 8 August 1984 because her weekly means, derived from a farm holding and capital, were assessed at £153.69 a week which exceeded the limit of £72 applicable, at the date of the decision, to her as a widow under 66 years of age with three qualified children (this limit was increased to £78 from 6 July 1984 and will be further increased to £82 from 12 July 1985). She was notified accordingly. The decision of an appeals officer is final and conclusive and can only be reviewed if there is a material change in the claimant's circumstances.
725.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the claim for a free telephone rental allowance made by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was rejected even though medical evidence has been submitted in support of the claim.
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 Department's medical adviser is not satisfied from the medical evidence furnished that the applicant's wife is incapacitated as required by the scheme. His application was therefore rejected and he was notified accordingly on 5 February 1985.
726.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the claim for a free telephone rental allowance made by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was rejected even though medical evidence has been submitted in support of the claim.
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 residing with her husband, who is not, from the information furnished, permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. Her application was therefore rejected and she was notified accordingly on 29 January 1985.
727.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is not in receipt of social welfare assistance for which he applied some time ago; and the reasons his application has not been approved.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from profit from his holding exceeded the statutory limit. He recently appealed and arising from contentions raised in his appeal, the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries are not yet completed but when they are the 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.