asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
614.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit from 5 March 1985 could not be determined until inquiries had been made to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for employment. These inquiries were recently completed and her claim has been allowed at £32.75 weekly, being the appropriate rate payable in her case. She is a postal claimant and an order for encashment at her local post office paying all arrears due issued to her last week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
615.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that a widow's pension is paid as soon as possible to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 whose husband died in a road accident and who has enough difficulties to face without having to worry about the widow's pension and moneys which which will be owed from this to the Eastern Health Board welfare officer; and if he will confirm that all arrears due have now been paid.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's contributory pension at the weekly rate of £80.70 with effect from 26 April 1985. This is the maximum rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years of age with three qualified children. A pension book with orders payable from 17 May 1985 was sent to the designated post office on 9 May 1985 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly.
Arrears for the period 26 April 1985 to 16 May 1985, less a deduction in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her will be sent direct to her shortly by means of a payable order. Her late husband had been in receipt of disability benefit at the weekly rate of £88.35, which included an increase in respect of his wife and three children and this benefit was paid to her for six weeks after his death on 13 March 1985, in place of widow's pension.
616.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a deserted wife's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
One of the conditions for the receipt of a deserted wife's payment is that a claimant must have made and continue to make reasonable efforts within the means available to her to trace her husband's whereabouts and to prevail on him to support her.
It is understood that the person concerned is aware of her husband's whereabouts and that he is in a position to support her. In a letter sent to her on 8 May 1985 she was advised of the appropriate action she should take to obtain maintenance from him and was asked to inform the Department of the outcome of her efforts. However further correspondence on her behalf has since been received which necessitates sending her case again to the local officer of the Department to have certain issues clarified. When the officer's report is received a decision will be given and the claimant will be notified of the outcome.
617.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Louth for disability benefit will be heard.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 November 1982 and payment was issued to 16 February 1985. Payment was disallowed from 18 February 1985 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
She appealed against the disallowance and she forwarded a statement advising that she was hospitalised from 16 April 1985 to 23 April 1985. Her case has now been examined by the Department's medical adviser who advises that she may be regarded as incapable of work from 18 February 1985, the date of disallowance of her claim. Accordingly payment of benefit was restored from 18 February 1985 and all benefit payable to 18 May 1985 has been issued to her.
618.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 2 November 1983 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 22 May 1985. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
619.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal for unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be heard.
The person concerned appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim and the case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. However, the appeals officer required further information before making a decision and the case has been referred again to the social welfare officer. When these inquiries are completed his case will be resubmitted to the appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
620.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a full deserted wife's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned, who is living alone and whose means have been assessed at £30.05 per week, is entitled to a deserted wife's allowance of £20.50 comprising £17.30 personal rate and £3.20 living alone allowance. At present she is being paid £18.50, £2 per week being withheld to recover an overpayment of £459 incurred by her of which to date £291 is still outstanding.
621.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a full 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 as he failed to fulfil the statutory condition as to means. The assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of his wife's income exceeds the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
622.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the correct amount of old age pension has been allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £22.50 from 19 April 1985, which includes a living alone allowance of £3.20. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of a holding and his British retirement pension.
The means of the person concerned had increased since the assessment of his means for unemployment assistance purpose in 1983. He did not have British retirement pension when this assessment was made.
623.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position regarding the application for free telephone rental on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
To qualify for a free telephone rental allowance a person in receipt of a qualifying payment must be living 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. All three members of the household concerned are in receipt of qualifying payments. Any one of them could, therefore, qualify for the allowance provided the other two are permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. From the information furnished this is not the case and the application was, therefore, rejected. The person concerned was notified of this decision and the reasons for it on 12 February 1985. It is open to the persons concerned to submit more comprehensive medical evidence in support of the claim. On receipt of any such evidence in the Department the case will be reviewed and they will be notified of the outcome.
624.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway despite the fact that this person has very little income; if he will now direct his Department to restore this assistance immediately, including all arrears; the date on which these payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Arising out of contentions made by the person concerned in support of his appeal against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries were completed recently and a deciding officer in a revised decision assessed him with means of £27.20 weekly derived from the profit from his holding and from the value of capital, effective from 17 September 1984. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £47.80 weekly the appropriate rate £75 less means £27.20. All arrears due to him will be paid this week and weekly payments of £47.80 will continue to be made as they become due.
625.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review two marginal applications for contributory old age pensions on behalf of persons (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The conditions for receipt of contributory old age pension require a person (i) to have entered into insurance before reaching a prescribed age, (ii) to have reckonable contributions paid in respect of at least 156 weeks of insurable employment and (iii) to have a yearly average of at least 20 reckonable contributions, paid or credited, from the beginning of the 1953 contribution year or year of entry into insurance, whichever is the later, to the end of the last complete contribution year before reaching pension age.
The employment of the first of the persons concerned ceased to be insurable in March 1953. He did not again become insurable until 1 April 1974, as a result of the abolition of the remuneration limit for insurance purposes on the earnings of non-manual employees which operated prior to that date. He had a total of 313 reckonable contributions in the relevant average test period which was from 5 January 1953 to 5 April 1980 in his case. This is equal to a yearly average of only 11 and he does not, therefore, quality for the pension.
The employment of the second person concerned ceased to be insurable in the 1949-50 contribution year before the coming into operation (in January 1953) of the Social Welfare Acts. He, also, did not become insurable again until 1 April 1974. He had, however, already reached the prescribed age for condition (i), age 60 in his case, before this date so that this entry into insurance under the Social Welfare Acts could not be regarded as satisfying that condition. Taking his pre-1953 insurance into account in order to satisfy that condition his yearly average for condition (iii) then falls to be calculated over the period from 5 January 1953 to 31 December 1977. He had a total of only 255 contributions in this period including pre-entry credits for the period from 1 January 1973 to 31 March 1974. This gives a yearly average of only ten contributions so he, also, does not qualify for the pension.
626.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason benefit has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who is unemployed although she has paid the full rate of PRSI while in employment.
A person who exhausts entitlement to unemployment benefit may requalify once he has a further 13 weeks of insurable employment with contributions paid at the appropriate contributions class after he has drawn 156 days of benefit. The person concerned exhausted her title to unemployment benefit on 28 May 1984 when she received 312 days benefit. She engaged in intermittent employment after the date on which she received unemployment benefit for 156 days but inquiries are being made to establish if her employment during this period was insurable at a class of contribution providing cover against unemployment. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the outcome of these inquiries.
627.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unemployment assistance will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned, who is a married woman, is not an applicant for unemployment assistance. She claimed unemployment benefit but according to the Department's records she had only 15 credited contributions during the contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed her claim to unemployment benefit from 13 February 1985 and her claim was disallowed accordingly, on the grounds that she had insufficient paid or credited contributions during the relevant contribution period. She appealed against the disallowance and an oral hearing of her case was arranged for 28 March 1985. She did not attend the appeal and the appeals officer summarily disallowed her appeal. She continues to sign the unemployment register for credited contributions.
628.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been increased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £22.70 weekly. She appealed against the amount of means assessed against her and an appeals officer also assessed her with means of £22.70. She is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £9.05 weekly the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £22.70. Her case was recently referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of her means. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to her will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the reinvestigation.
629.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in returning a survivor's pension book to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The husband of the person concerned was in receipt of an old age contributory pension up to his death on 14 April 1985. Payment of his pension continues to be payable to his widow for six weeks up to 24 May 1985. The pension book containing six orders payable to her up to that date was returned to her on 7 May 1985. A widow's contributory pension book with orders payable from 31 May 1985 will be sent to the designated post office before that date.
630.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to grant a free television licence to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension and is living alone.
The person concerned has been approved for a free electricity allowance and she therefore also qualifies for a free television licence which she may obtain on application at the local post office.
631.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that her application is on appeal with his Department for some time now.
The appeal of the person concerned is at present with an appeals officer for determination. He has decided to hold an oral hearing of the case and she will be notified of the date and venue of the hearing as soon as it has been arranged.
632.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will restore payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 January 1984 and was paid from 28 January 1984, fourth day of incapacity. He was requested to attend for a medical referee examination on 17 April 1985 but he failed to attend. A six week disqualification was imposed from 17 April 1985. The claimant was advised of this decision and of his right of appeal on 30 April 1985 but a reply has not been received. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee as soon as possible. When the result of this examination is received his claim will be reviewed.
633.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the amount of arrears due; and the dates for which they are due.
A payable order for the arrears in question for the period from 25 January to 4 April 1985, amounting to £220, was sent to the person concerned on 6 May 1985. The gross amount of arrears due to her was £345 but a deduction of £125 was made in respect of supplementary welfare allowance which the South-Eastern Health Board paid to her during the period.
634.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be 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.
635.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made with regard to the appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick against the decision of the deciding officer concerning his unemployment assistance.
An appeals officer assessed the person concerned with means at £58 weekly and he was notified accordingly on 14 March 1985. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £1.40 weekly being the rate appropriate to him £59.40 less £58 means. His case was however recently referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of his means. When the inquiries are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
636.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his holding exceeded the statutory limit. He has been advised of the decision in his case and of his right to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer.
637.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath can be transferred from disability benefit to an invalidity pension.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 21 October 1981 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals.
Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned was examined on 1 May 1985 by a medical referree who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked that he be referred for a further examination after six months. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with this decision it is open to him to forward a detailed report from his doctor. On receipt of this report the question as to whether he is permanently incapable of work will be reviewed by the medical adviser of the Department.
638.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having an invalidity pension paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension from 2 May 1985 the Thursday following the date of the receipt of completed claim form on 1 May 1985. A pension book payable from 6 June 1985 was issued to the designated post office of payment on 8 May 1985 and arrears in respect of the period from 2 May 1985 to 5 June 1985, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period, will be paid by payable order. There was therefore no delay in awarding the pension.
639.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the non-payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 19 February 1985, but her claim was disallowed from 19 February 1985 to 19 March 1985 on the grounds that she left her employment voluntarily without just cause. It is open to her to appeal against the disallowance of her claim in respect of this period.
She satisfied the required conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit from 20 March 1985 and weekly payments of the maximum rate appropriate to her, £37.25, are being made as they become due.
640.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the non-payment in respect of medical certificates submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 29 March 1985. The medical certificate submitted in support of his claim did not bear his complete address and as a result two initial cheques bearing this address were not delivered to him. These cheques have now been replaced and his address has been amended. All benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to 30 April 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
641.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an unemployed person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 was refused a rent subsidy at his local community welfare centre.
Under the provisions of the supplementary welfare allowances scheme the determination as to whether a rent supplement should be paid in any particular case is a matter entirely for the health board. It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the supplementary welfare allowances scheme in the Dublin area, that payment of a rent supplement to the person concerned was not considered warranted in the circumstances. The person concerned has appealed against the decision and will be informed of the decision of the appeals officer in due course.
642.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary did not receive an increase in his non-contributory old age pension.
The application for an increase in the rate of old age pension of the person concerned has been partially investigated by the social welfare officer. Details regarding the pensioner's bank accounts, the sale of property and the purchase of a bungalow have been requested and when these are received the claim will be referred to a deciding officer for decision. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
643.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment benefit at £80.15 weekly. However his entitlement to unemployment benefit between the dates 20 March 1985 and 8 April 1985 is the subject of an investigation to establish whether he fulfilled the condition of being unemployed during the period. His entitlement to unemployment benefit for the period will be determined in the light of the outcome of the inquiries.
To enable his entitlement to pay-related benefit with his flat rate unemployment benefit to be determined he has been asked to furnish a form P45 or a statement of his earnings between 6 April 1984 and the date on which he claimed but he has not done so to date. He has been written to and again asked to furnish the required information.
644.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to the appeal against the amount of old age pension granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will give sympathetic consideration to increasing the amount already granted by his Department.
The application for increase in the rate of old age pension of the person concerned has been partially investigated by the social welfare officer. It is expected that his inquiries will be completed shortly and the matter will be decided on. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
645.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of maximum rate unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £12.10 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents home. He appealed against that decision and an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £12.10. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £17.85 weekly the appropriate rate £29.95 less means £12.10. His case was recently referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed when these inquiries are completed.
646.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of a pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11.
The arrears of old age contributory pension due to the person concerned have been issued to her by payable order.
647.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway despite the fact that he has been paying stamps, PAYE and PRSI since 1965; if he will direct his Department to pay this benefit to the person immediately; the date on which regular weekly payments and all arrears will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit exhausted on 5 December 1984 on which date he received 390 days unemployment benefit. To requalify for unemployment benefit he would require to have a minimum of a further 13 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate rate of contribution has been paid in respect of employment after he had received 156 days of unemployment benefit.
He was engaged in part time employment after he received 156 days of benefit and inquiries are being made to establish whether his employment was appropriate to a contribution class which provided cover against unemployment. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the outcome of the investigation. It was open to him to claim unemployment assistance pending the outcome of his unemployment benefit claim but he declined to do so.
648.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when 12 weeks payments of unemployment benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions at the appropriate rate paid or credited in the governing contribution year. According to the Department's records the person concerned had insufficient contributions during the contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed his entitlement to unemployment benefit from 4 February 1985 and his unemployment benefit claim was, accordingly, disallowed.
However, unemployment assistance has been allowed from 4 February 1985 at £29.95 weekly being the appropriate rate applicable to a single person with nil means. Arrangements are being made to pay any arrears due to him this week less advance of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him pending a decision on his case.
649.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a person (details supplied) in County Offaly called before a medical referee in support of his appeal for disability benefit.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 8 January 1985, following an examination by a medical referee who considered him to be capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and he was examined on 21 March 1985 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work. His case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of the case as soon as possible. He will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.
650.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a decision has not been reached on the application of a person (details supplied) in County Laois for a family income supplement for which she applied on 12 February 1985.
674.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a family income supplement will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 650 and 674 together.
The claim form as originally submitted by the person concerned did not show all the required information and was returned to her for completion. A family income supplement at the weekly rate of £6.75 from 21 February 1985 has now been awarded. The appropriate order book was issued to the designated post office on 9 May 1985 and the claimant was notified accordingly.
651.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance for which she applied eight weeks ago will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned is a postal applicant for unemployment assistance. She was written to on two occasions by her local office and asked to reply to inquiries regarding here availability for employment to enable her entitlement to unemployment assistance to be determined. To date she has failed to reply to these questions and no further action can be taken in her case until she does so. Arrangements are being made to write to her again in the matter and her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be considered in the light of her reply.
652.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of five weeks disability benefit, due to a person (details supplied) in County Laois who is married with four children, will be made.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 3 January 1983. He is not qualified for benefit as regulations provide that where a claimant has no contributions paid or credited for any two consecutive contribution years preceding his claim he cannot qualify for payment of disability benefit, or the award of credited contributions in respect of periods of incapacity for work, until he has a further 26 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid. According to the records of the Department the person concerned has no contributions paid or credited, from 1978-79 to date.
An outdoor officer of the Department is investigating his insurance record and the claimants entitlement to benefit will be reviewed on receipt of his report.
653.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not received maternity benefit.
Payment of maternity benefit has been approved in this case for a 14 week period from 15 March under the scheme for women in current employment following inquiries to ascertain the person's employment status. A cheque covering the period 15 March 1985 to 18 May 1985 will be issued to her on Wednesday 15 May and further payments will be made at regular weekly intervals as they fall due.
654.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if full and proper rates of contributory old age pension are being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and the arrears, if any, that are due to him.
The person concerned is in receipt of contributory old age pension at the maximum personal rate of £48.25 per week plus £30.80 in respect of his wife and £9.95 for one qualified child dependant. A second child reached age 18 on 13 April 1985 and the allowance in respect of him ceased to be payable thereafter. A supplementary book containing orders payable from 19 April 1985 for the child dependant's allowance of £9.95 has been issued to the pensioner and the amount payable in respect of two qualified children for the weeks commencing 5 and 12 April 1985 has been issued to him by payable order.
655.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of this means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He has been informed accordingly. He has been issued with an appeal form but has not so far returned it to his local office. When he does so his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination of his means and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
656.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to disclose his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He recently appealed and the case has been returned to the social welfare officer to afford him a further opportunity to co-operate by disclosing his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of these inquiries.
657.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an appeal for unemployment benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be heard in the month of June in view of the length of time this person is waiting and the fresh evidence that has been submitted to his Department in relation to the case.
Due to the number of appeal hearings already listed to take place on 16 May 1985 the appeal of the person concerned against the disallowance of her unemployment benefit claim cannot be heard until the next session of oral hearings is arranged. Arrangements are however being made to have her case heard during the month of June and when the time and date of the hearing is fixed she will be notified accordingly.
658.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork was reduced since June 1984.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £28.05 weekly the appropriate rate £31.75 less means of £3.70. His means were derived from the value of capital. His case was recently referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation and when the inquiries are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
659.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision will be made shortly on the appeal against the rate of non-contributory widow's pension being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following lodgment of the appeal, it was necessary to have the means of the person concerned reinvestigated by a social welfare officer. These investigations have only recently been completed and the case has been sent to an appeals officer for determination. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
660.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in making a decision on the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Cork for an old age pension.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is entitled to an old age non-contributory pension of £3.30 from 7 September 1984. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of capital. The appropriate pension book and arrears have been issued. The delay in dealing with this case was due to pressure of work in the social welfare station concerned.
661.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is getting a lower rate of pay-related benefit than he feels he is entitled to.
The person concerned is entitled to pay-related benefit at the rate of £12.81 per week. The relevant legislation provides that pay-related benefit cannot be added to flat rate benefit to an extent which would cause total weekly payments to exceed 75 per cent of average weekly earnings in the relevant income tax year. In the case of the person concerned, the relevant income tax year is 1983-84 in which 75 per cent of his average reckonable weekly earnings was £92.96. He is in receipt of flat rate benefit at the weekly rate of £80.15 and his pay-related benefit entitlement is, therefore, £12.81 per week.
662.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
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 claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. He was not prepared to co-operate with the social welfare officer and no further action could be taken in his case. He recently indicated that he was willing to co-operate and the case was again referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
663.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is not getting full unemployment assistance.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 28 September 1984 and following investigation was assessed with means of £25.70 derived from benefit from his wife's earnings. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £37.25 weekly the appropriate rate £62.95 less means £25.70.
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 rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
664.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who has been signing since 17 March 1985.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the 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 submitted to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
665.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will now approve the application for unemployment benefit made by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant must be capable of, available for, and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 30 November 1984 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance but did not attend a hearing of her appeal on 21 March 1985. The appeals officer also decided that she was not available for work.
She claimed disability benefit from 1 February 1985 to 15 March 1985 after which she again claimed unemployment benefit. Following the completion of inquiries to ascertain what efforts she was making to find employment her unemployment benefit claim was disallowed on the grounds that she did not satisfy the condition of being available for work. She has appealed against the disallowance of her unemployment benefit claim and arrangements are being made to have her case determined by an appeals officer. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
666.
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 for the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter having regard to the fact that this person has no other source of income, owns no land or stock.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until extensive inquiries being made by the social welfare officer had been completed. The inquiries were recently completed and his means were assessed as nil with effect from 8 March 1985. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £54.80. Arrears due will be paid to him this week. Further weekly payments will continue to be made to him as they become due.
667.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension was not granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the grounds that she does not fulfil the statutory conditions as to means. The assessment of her means, consisting of the weekly value of a British retirement pension and a small amount of capital, exceeds the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
668.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was reduced from £53 to £33.40 per week in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at £48.15 weekly the appropriate rate £56.45 less means £8.30. His means were derived from the value of capital. His claim was reinvesigated recently and his means derived from the value of capital and from receipt of a company pension, were assessed at £23.05 weekly. He is accordingly in receipt of £33.40 weekly the appropriate rate £56.45 less means £23.05.
He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arising out of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case is being 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.
669.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to the application for a widow's contributory pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
There is no record of a recent application for a widow's contributory pension from the person concerned. Her title was examined in 1971 and refused as her late husband's insurance record did not satisfy the condition which required that 156 contributions be paid since entry into insurance. The widow herself had no insurance record. She was notified of this decision and of her right to appeal against it if dissatisfied. No appeal was received.
She is in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension since 1980. Her present rate of payment, £36.50 per week, is the rate payable to a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children and whose weekly means exceed £8 but do not exceed £10. Her means derived from a farm holding, were assessed in this range in March 1980.
670.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to the appeal against the cancellation of unemployment benefit made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
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 to him were paid to 27 March 1985. Weekly payments are continuing as they become due.
671.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason only £58 disability benefit was paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that he is married with three children and that he was out sick from 21 March 1985 to 1 April 1985 and was consequently due benefit for a week.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 March 1985 and was paid to 28 March 1985. However, it was unclear from his final medical certificate when he would be fit to resume work and confirmation of this date was requested from his employers. They have now confirmed that he was absent from work through illness from 21 March 1985 to 30 March 1985. The arrears payable for 29 and 30 March were issued to him on 13 May 1985.
672.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Laois is in receipt of the correct rate of disability benefit; if he is aware that this person was given a second RSI number; and if he will indicate which is the correct RSI number.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 November 1984. Payment was not authorised however, as he submitted a Revenue Social Insurance number under which no contributions were recorded. He later submitted a second Revenue Social Insurance number and payment was issued at a reduced rate while his entitlement to benefit at the maximum rate was being examined. It was subsequently confirmed that he was entitled to benefit at the maximum rate and all arrears payable have now been issued to him.
Payment was disallowed from 30 April 1985 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He has not indicated to the Department that he wishes to appeal the decision to disallow payment and he has not submitted medical evidence of incapacity for work subsequent to the date of disallowance. The person concerned has been informed of his correct Revenue Social Insurance number and he should quote this number on all future correspondence with the Department
673.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Where a person has less than 156 contributions paid since entry into insurable employment, entitlement to disability benefit is limited to 52 weeks.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 March 1984 and was paid to 23 March 1985 after which date his 52 week entitlement became exhausted as according to the records of the Department at that time, he had only 81 contributions paid on his behalf since entry into insurance. He indicated that he had been employed in Great Britain and his insurance record was requested from the British authorities. This information has now come to hand and confirms that he has a continuing entitlement to benefit. The arrears payable to 6 May 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received, have now been issued.
675.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited at the appropriate rate in the governing contribution year. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit is governed by his contribution record during the period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984. The contributions paid in respect of his employment during this period were appropriate to a contribution class which did not provide cover against unemployment and his unemployment benefit claim was accordingly disallowed. He was advised of this decision and of his right to appeal. He was also advised of his right to claim unemployment assistance but to date he has declined to do so.
676.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the application for deserted wife's benefit made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The claim of the person concerned for a deserted wife's payment is at present under investigation by a local officer of the Department. When inquiries are completed and the officer's report is received a decision will be given without delay and she will be notified of the outcome. In the meantime she is in receipt of separate payments of the dependants' portions of her husband's unemployment benefit and supplementary welfare allowance from the Southern Health Board.
677.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in regard to the application for an old age pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The application of the person concerned for an old age non-contributory pension is presently under investigation by the social welfare officer. When her inquiries are completed, the case will be referred for decision and the pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course. The delay in dealing with this case is due to pressure of work at the social welfare station concerned.
678.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
679.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a single person's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
It is proposed to take Question Nos. 678 and 679 together.
The person concerned exhausted her entitlement to unemployment benefit on 9 March 1985 when she received benefit for 390 days.
She claimed single woman's allowance and following the completion of inquiries she was assessed with means at £20.16 weekly and she is accordingly entitled to single woman's allowance at £15.35 with effect from 14 March 1985. An allowance order book has been issued to her local post office with orders payable from 4 April 1985. The amount of arrears of single woman's allowance due to her from the commencement of her claim on 14 March 1985 to 3 April 1985 will issue to her shortly.
680.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit and pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned recently made three claims to disability benefit for the following periods: 24 December 1984 to 7 January 1985, 10 January to 21 January 1985 and 4 February to 25 February 1985. All benefit payable in respect of these claims has been issued to him.
681.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a certificate of income will be sent immediately to the South Eastern Health Board in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
A statement of the amount of disability benefit in payment to the person concerned was issued to the South Eastern Health board on 8 May 1985.
682.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
A payable order for the arrears in question, less an adjustment in respect of unemployment benefit paid to her by the Department, will be sent to the person concerned within a day or two.
683.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded a non-contributory old age pension if so, when; and the rate of payment.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been partially investigated by the social welfare officer. It is expected that his inquiries will be completed shortly and the claim will be decided on. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
684.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
As conveyed to the Deputy in reply to a question asked by him in October 1983, the claim of the person concerned to a deserted wife's payment was disallowed for the reasons that her husband had not of his own volition left her and she had not made reasonable efforts within the means available to her to prevail on him to support her and her children. This decision was upheld by an appeals officer following an oral hearing of her case in June 1983. Her case was again submitted to the appeals officer, upon receipt of representations from the Deputy on behalf of the claimant, for further consideration. The appeals officer decided that the representations did not contain any new evidence which would warrant a revision of his decision. The decision of an appeals officer is final in the absence of fresh facts or new evidence.
685.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal against the decision of a deciding officer in refusing unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be dealt with.
The person concerned recently appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim and arising from contentions raised in the appeal the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When the inquiries are completed the case will be referred to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined accordingly.
686.
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 for a long period of time, and has no income.
The person concerned is an applicant for unemployment benefit. His entitlement to benefit could not be determined until inquiries to establish his contribution record during the governing contribution year 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 had been completed. These inquiries were recently completed and his claim has been allowed at the weekly rate of £80.15, the appropriate rate payable in his case and all arrears due will be paid this week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
687.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any decision has been made regarding the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for an increase in her non-contributory widow's pension.
Following investigation the widow's non-contributory pension of the person concerned has been increased by £2 to £45.05 per week with effect from 8 March 1985. This is the rate payable to a widow under 66 years of age with one qualified child and whose weekly means exceed £10 but do not exceed £12. Her means, derived from a business, were assessed at £11.86 per week. She has been notified of this decision and of her right to appeal against it if she is dissatisfied. The increase will be paid to her when she returns her pension order book as requested.
688.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 15 April 1985 and following inquiries his claim was disallowed for the period up to 23 May 1985 on the grounds that he left his employment voluntarily without just cause. If he is dissatisfied with this decision, which issued to him last week, it is open to him to appeal and have the matter determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
689.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payment of the full amount of unemployment benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned recently applied for a review of his means and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. When these investigations are completed his means will be reviewed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined accordingly. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £11.75 being the appropriate rate £86.75 less means £75.
690.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay a widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The claim of the person concerned to a widow's non-contributory pension was refused because her means, derived from a shop, were assessed at £70.32 a week which exceeded the limit of £44 a week applicable in her case. She appealed against the decision and her case was referred to an appeals officer for consideration. However, in the light of the statement submitted by the widow in support of her appeal, that officer has requested that further inquiries be made. When the local officer's report on this is received it will be placed before the appeals officer and a decision will be given as soon as possible.
691.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay a prescribed relative's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The application for prescribed relative allowance in respect of the care and attention being provided by the person concerned is at present under investigation by the social welfare officer. It is expected that his inquiries will be completed shortly and the matter will be decided on. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course. If a prescribed relative allowance is awarded, payment will be made to the pensioner without delay.
692.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the application for a maternity allowance of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit in December 1984 in respect of a confinement on 10 October 1983. The claim was over a year late. While late claims can be accepted, if good cause is shown for failure to claim in time, the regulations specifically preclude any payment in respect of any period more than six months before the date of the receipt of the claim. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 14 December 1984.
693.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement on the situation with regard to the appeal for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; the reason for the delay in dealing with this case; and when it is likely that the appeal will be heard.
The person concerned has not to date appealed against the amount of means assessed against him in October 1984. His means were assessed at £94.80 weekly and they are derived from the profit from his holding. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £5 weekly being the appropriate long term rate payable to him as a married man with six qualified children £99.80 less £94.80 means. If he feels that there have been changes in his circumstances, it is open to him to apply at his local office to have his means reinvestigated.
694.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick was disallowed unemployment benefit six months ago; and if, having regard to the fact that this person has a wife and four children to support, he will immediately deal with this case so that payments can be continued.
Arising out of contentions made by the person concerned in support of his recent appeal against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim, on the grounds that by failing to disclose details of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit, his case was 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 reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
695.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not in receipt of unemployment assistance.
Following the completion of extensive inquiries the person concerned was recently assessed with means of £38.45 weekly. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £13.25 weekly the appropriate rate £51.70 less means £38.45. All arrears due to him will be paid this week and weekly payments of £13.25 will continue to be made as they become due.
696.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position regarding the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for a free telephone rental allowance as a medical report on his wife was submitted six weeks ago.
The application for a free telephone rental allowance from the person concerned has been approved in the light of the further medical evidence received on 12 April 1985. The applicant has been notified accordingly. Telecom Éireann will arrange to apply the allowance when the applicant is provided with telephone service.
697.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of the appeal against the decision in regard to her old age pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned lodged an appeal against the decision disallowing her claim to old age pension. An appeals officer has requested further information from the social welfare officer on her case before giving his decision. When this information is received the case will be referred back to an appeals officer for determination. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome in due course.
698.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if social assistance payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is an unmarried mother; if so, when payments will be made; and at what rate.
The claim of the person concerned for unmarried mother's allowance is at present under investigation by a local officer of the Department. On receipt of the officer's report, a decision will be given on the case without delay.
699.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded payments of unemployment assistance at the previous level in view of his low level of household income.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 8 March 1985 and was assessed with means of £34.60 weekly derived from self-employment as a motor mechanic. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £59.55 weekly the appropriate rate £94.15 less means £34.60, and weekly payments are being made to him as they become due. It is open to him to appeal against the amount of means assessed against him and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
700.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an appeal has been received by his Department on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
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 that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He has been issued with two appeal forms on different dates but so far he has not lodged an appeal. It is still open to him to appeal if he is dissatisfied with the decision to disallow his claim.
701.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Galway is getting the appropriate amount of unemployment assistance.
Following reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim the person concerned was assessed with means of £29.30 effective from 6 December 1984. His means are derived from the profit from his holding. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £57.45 weekly the appropriate rate £86.75 less means £29.30.
702.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance will be sanctioned for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
There is no record in the Department of receipt of an application for this allowance from the person concerned. An application form was issued to her on 9 May 1985. On receipt of the completed application form in the Department, an early decision will be given in her case and she will be notified of the outcome.
703.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the appropriate rate of non-contributory old age pension applicable to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when a pension book will be issued.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £12.50 from 19 April 1985 which includes a living alone allowance of £3.20. This is the rate to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of the weekly value of her British retirement pension. The appropriate pension book payable from 19 April 1985 issued on 23 April 1985.
704.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he considers it fair that unemployment assistance allowance is withdrawn from recipients in respect of their dependants who reach 18 years of age even though they are in fulltime education and have no means of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Allowances for dependent children under the unemployment assistance scheme are paid up to age 18, which is the general age limit for child dependants under the social welfare code. Persons aged over 18 are entitled to claim unemployment assistance in their own right but fulltime attendance at a course of education is not, under existing legislation, regarded as consistent with being available for work. A change in the legislation to enable people to draw unemployment payments while on fulltime educational courses would have serious implications in relation to the cost involved and to control of abuse of the system.
The Commission on Social Welfare is examining the issue of child dependancy as part of a comprehensive review of the welfare system and is due to report later this year. There are, of course, grants from the Department of Education towards fees and maintenance, which are available to parents on unemployment assistance, in respect of any child over 17 years of age in fulltime third level education.
705.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department will now approve the application for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the conditions that an applicant must be available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 26 September 1984. Her claim was disallowed from that date on the grounds that she was not genuinely seeking work. She appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of her appeal on 15 January 1985. The appeals officer also decided that she was not genuinely seeking work during the period 26 September 1984 to 5 November 1984.
She continued to sign as unemployed and extensive inquiries were made to ascertain whether she fulfilled the conditions for entitlement to unemployment assistance. Following the completion of these inquiries her unemployment assistance claim was disallowed on the grounds that she did not satisfy the condition of being available for work. She appealed against the disallowance of her claim and arrangements have been made for an oral hearing of her case to take place next week. Her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
706.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of an unemployment benefit claim to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who has been signing since 28 January 1985.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit. He claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare office for investigation of his means. He was not available for interview when the social welfare officer called to his home but he subsequently got in touch with his local office and stated that he would make himself available when the social welfare officer next called.
The case has been referred again to the social welfare officer and when the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
707.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £36 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parents holding. His means accordingly exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him and his claim was disallowed. It is open to him to appeal at his local unemployment office.
708.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Clare whose unemployment assistance was reduced following reassessment of his means.
An appeals officer recently assessed the means of the person concerned at £35.55 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. Accordingly payments of unemployment assistance at £27.40 weekly being the appropriate rate £62.95 less £35.55 continue to be made to him as they become due. In the light of the list of expenses incurred in earning his income which were furnished in the details supplied by the Deputy the case will be resubmitted to the appeals officer for consideration as to whether a revision of the decision in the case is warranted.
The rate of unemployment assistance payable to the applicant will be reviewed following reconsideration of the assessment of means by the appeals officer.
709.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when maternity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 January 1985. She is not entitled to benefit as according to the records of the Department she has less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid since entry into insurable employment. There is no trace of a claim for maternity benefit from the person concerned.
710.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth who made his application in May 1983.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 12 May 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an occupational accident on that date. Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident he was awarded disability benefit on an interim basis from 13 May and all benefit due was paid in respect of the period to 30 August 1983.
Benefit was then discontinued following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not then incapable of work. The decision was upheld on appeal by an appeals officer. Following investigations injury benefit was allowed and injury benefit over and above the disability benefit paid has been issued.
711.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 19 July 1984 and all benefit due, including pay-related benefit, was paid to 16 January 1985, the end of the maximum 26 week injury benefit period.
From that date payment of disability benefit would normally have been made but according to the Department's records the person concerned did not have any contributions paid or credited on his behalf in the 1983-84 contribution year which governed his entitlement to benefit at that stage.
It has now been established that he has a full contribution record for that year and all arrears of disability and pay-related benefit have now been issued.
He also claimed disablement benefit and was provisionally assessed as 70 per cent disabled in respect of the period from 18 January 1985 to 10 October 1985. Disablement pension accordingly was awarded and all benefit due to date has been paid.
712.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned was approved for a free telephone rental allowance on 9 October 1984 and she was notified accordingly at that time. She has since been provided with telephone service and Telecom Éireann has confirmed that the allowance will appear on her initial telephone account which will issue shortly.
713.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary since February 1985; and when this benefit will be paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 January 1985. Payment was not authorised however, as he submitted an incomplete medical certificate in support of his claim. The matter has now been resolved and all benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to 11 January 1985, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
714.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath is in the A1 tax bracket; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was employed on a part time basis from 6 April 1983 and her employer deducted PRSI contributions at the Class A rate in respect of this employment. She was in receipt of unemployment benefit from 31 January 1983 in respect of the days she did not work and exhausted her entitlement of 312 days on 7 December 1984.
Before her future entitlement could be decided a question arose as to the correct rate of PRSI contribution applicable to her part time employment since 6 April 1983.
The relevant regulations relating to part time employment provide that where such employment is for less than 18 hours a week and the person is not mainly dependent for his or her livelihood on the remuneration received therefrom, the employment is insurable at the Class J rate of contribution. This contribution provides cover for occupational injury benefits only.
A deciding officer held that the person concerned was not mainly dependent on the earnings from her part time employment and decided that the employment was therefore insurable at the Class J rate of contribution up to 6 February 1985, the date up to which the decision was sought. She was advised of this decision on 18 April 1985 and also of her right of appeal. She has not so far exercised this right. She has also been advised that she can apply for a refund of the excess contributions paid on her behalf during the period from 6 April 1983 to 6 February 1985.
Since 6 February 1985, the person concerned has worked for at least 18 hours each week in which she was employed (with the exception of one week) and a Class A contribution has been paid for these weeks. However, she cannot requalify for unemployment benefit in the current benefit year (January 1985 to December 1985) because the contributions paid in the contribution year which now governs her entitlement to benefit, that is 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 were, in accordance with the deciding officer's decision, properly payable at the Class J rate of contribution and are not reckonable for payment of unemployment benefit. The contributions at the Class A rate which are being paid in the current contribution year will not count towards satisfying the relevant contribution conditions for benefit until the benefit year which starts on 5 January 1987.
715.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will direct his Department to make these payments immediately; the date on which total arrears and weekly payments will commence; the amount of each such payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 15 December 1984 but his entitlement could not be determined until inquiries had been made to establish that his employment during the governing contribution period was insurable at a class of contribution which provided cover against unemployment. These inquiries were recently completed and payment of unemployment benefit was allowed at the maximum weekly rate of £96.55 being the appropriate rate for a married man with four child dependants. All arrears of unemployment benefit due amounting to £1,094.25 issued to him on 19 April 1985.
He is at present employed on two days a week and he proves unemployment for the other four days and is in receipt of £64.40 unemployment benefit weekly for these days. Further weekly payments of this amount will continue to be made as they fall due. He has insufficient earnings in the relevant income tax year to qualify for payment of pay-related benefit.
716.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of a death grant will be made to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6.
There is no record of a claim for a death grant having been received in this case. An application form for the grant has been issued to the person concerned.
717.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of her late husband's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6.
The husband of the person concerned was in receipt of an old age contributory pension up to his death on 9 April 1985. Payment of his pension continues to be payable to his widow for six weeks up to 17 May 1985. His pension book containing six orders payable to her up to that date was returned to her on 2 May 1985. Her widow's contributory pension book payable from 24 May 1985 will be issued to the designated post office in the next few days.