asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free telephone rental allowance has not yet been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary as she is living alone, is in poor health and is badly in need of a telephone.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
618.
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.
From the information available to the Department the person concerned is residing with her son who is not permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. Her application was therefore rejected and she was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 12 February 1985.
In the light of the Deputy's question a local officer of the Department has been requested to reinvestigate the applicant's circumstances. On receipt of his reply the case will be reviewed and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
619.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an appeal for unemployment assistance can be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Arising out of contentions made by the person concerned in support of his appeal, against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim, his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
620.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payments of an old age pension in respect of a deceased person (details supplied) in County Wexford, due for the period prior to the date of death will be made to her son before any decision on subsequent arrears payments is settled.
A form which will enable the personal representative of the deceased pensioner to claim any arrears of pension which may be due has been issued. On its return the matter will be investigated and if it is found that there are arrears of pension due, payment will be made without delay.
621.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a widow's pension payable to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was reduced to £25.30 per week from 8 February 1985, after it was deemed that her income from investments was £1,100 per annum, as the income she received last year was only £700; if this pension will be revised upwards in view of these facts; and when this will be done.
Following a reinvestigation of her circumstances the widow's non-contributory pension of the person concerned was reduced to £28.50 per week (including £3.20 living alone allowance) with effect from 8 February 1985. This is the rate payable to a widow over 66 years of age living alone and whose weekly means exceed £20 but do not exceed £22. Her means derived from a farm holding were assessed at £1,100 per annum, equal to £21.15 per week. She appealed against the decision and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. A copy of the Deputy's Question has been included with the papers sent to the appeals officer. When his decision is given the claimant will be notified of the outcome without delay.
622.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a family income supplement has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; if this decision will be reconsidered; if so, when payment will be made; and the amount that will be paid.
The application of the person concerned was disallowed on the ground that he was not engaged in remunerative full time employment as an employee. From the information furnished, the person concerned is not normally employed for 30 hours a week as required by the regulations. The decision was upheld by an appeals officer, whose decision is final and conclusive in the absence of fresh facts or new evidence. The applicant was notified of the appeals officer's decision on 2 May 1985.
623.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 who is in receipt of disability benefit was only paid for 16 days out of a possible 18 days arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability benefit and pay-related benefit for the period from 2 April to 19 April 1985 was issued to the person concerned in two separate payments, £85.98 on 19 April and £143.34 on 23 April 1985. This represents payment at a weekly rate of £70.25, disability benefit and £15.73, pay-related benefit. All benefit payable in respect of this claim has been issued to date and there are no arrears outstanding.
624.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be heard as it is extremely urgent.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 5 November 1984, following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and she was examined on 12 December 1984 by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Her case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of the case as soon as possible. She will be notified of the time and place fixed for the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.
625.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the usual six week's payment of her late husband's disability benefit, following his death, will be made in her case.
The claim of the person concerned to a widow's pension is at present being examined. An initial investigation of her entitlement to a contributory pension indicates that further inquiries will be necessary before a decision can be given. The record against the insurance number quoted by her in respect of her late husband gives only 25 reckonable contributions since entry into insurance in the 1949-50 year.
In the meantime the local social welfare officer has been asked to furnish a report on the claimant's circumstances to see if she qualifies for a non-contributory pension. She will be notified of the outcome as soon as the officer's report is received.
It has not been possible to trace a disability benefit claim by the claimant's late husband. She has been asked to supply an RSI number so that the position concerning the six weeks payment after death may be clarified. It is possible that the payment made to her late husband may have been a disabled person's maintenance allowance and the South-Eastern Health Board are being contacted in this regard.
626.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of an appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny against the decision not to grant him unemployment assistance.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 27 December 1984 and his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. The social welfare officer made a number of void calls to his home address before he succeeded in interviewing him. When he did interview him he failed to disclose details of his income from self-employment.
A letter was issued to the applicant from his local office advising him that his failure to co-operate with the social welfare officer in the investigation of his means could result in the disallowance of his claim. He has not replied to this letter. If he is now prepared to co-operate he should inform his local office, and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome of the investigation. The question of an appeal does not arise at present as no decision has as yet been given.
627.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied in February 1985.
The person concerned reached age 66 years on 17 April 1985. He claimed an old age contributory pension on 14 March 1985. The pension has been awarded to him at maximum personal rate with effect from 19 April 1985. A pension book with orders payable from 19 April 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly. He has been asked to furnish a marriage certificate and his wife's birth certificate. When this is done he will be awarded the adult dependant's allowance which is payable in respect of a dependent spouse.
628.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay the maximum rate of non-contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned has been awarded an increase in her widow's non-contributory pension from £16.50 to £40.50, with effect from 1 April 1985. This is the maximum rate of non-contributory pension payable to a widow under 66 years who has no qualified children.
She has been asked to return the pension order book she now holds and as soon as it is received a book at the higher rate, payable from the Friday following the last order cashed in her old book, will be sent to the designated post office for collection by her. Arrears in respect of the period from 1 April 1985 to the date of the last order cashed in the old book will be sent direct to her by payable order.
629.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the full rate of non-contributory old age pension is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will have this case reinvestigated.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of an old age pension at the weekly rate of £59.05 which includes an adult dependant allowance of £19.75. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the last assessment of his means consisting of half the weekly value of a holding and earnings from self-employment. An application for an increase in the rate of his old age pension is under investigation by the social welfare officer at present. 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.
630.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the circumstances under which social welfare payments are not being made to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is recovering from a recent serious operation and in respect of whom appropriate medical certificates have been submittied.
Where a person has less than 156 contributions paid since entry into insurable employment, entitlment to disability benefit is limited to 52 weeks.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned has only 101 contributions paid on her behalf since entry into insurance. She claimed disability benefit from 4 January 1984 and was paid to 3 January 1985 after which date her 52 week entitlement became exhausted. In order to requalify for disability benefit it will be necessary for her to have at least a further 13 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions are paid.
631.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite the application for a non-contributory pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's contributory pension at the weekly rate of £43.45 with effect from 19 April 1985. This is the maximum rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children. A pension book with orders payable from 24 May 1985 was sent to the designated post office on 17 May 1985 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly.
Arrears for the period 19 April 1985 to 23 May 1985, less a deduction in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during that time, will be sent direct to her shortly by means of a payable order. Her late husband had been in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £56.45 which included an increase in respect of his wife, and this was paid to her for six weeks after his death on 7 March 1985, in place of widow's pension.
632.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who will be out of work within two weeks, has been informed that she will not be entitled to unemployment benefit on the basis that she held a part time, summer job previously and despite the fact that she will have 27 contributions paid in the 1984-85 tax year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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. According to the Department's records the person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions during the contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governs a claim to unemployment benefit during the period 7 January 1985 to 6 January 1986.
633.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will now approve the application for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation into his means. The social welfare officer made a number of void calls to his home address before he made himself available for interview, and then he failed to disclose details of his self-employment. He is being given another opportunity to co-operate with the social welfare officer investigating his means and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome.
634.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of an unemployment assistance claim to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £9.45 weekly being the appropriate rate £30.90 less £21.45 means while resident in Dublin. He notified his Dublin office that he had moved from his Dublin address and that he would continue to sign at the branch employment office at Portlaoise. Payment of unemployment assistance will continue to be made to him at that office at weekly intervals. His case has been now referred to the social welfare officer stationed in the district for reinvestigation of his means after which the amount of means assessed against him will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
635.
Mr. Cowan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be examined by a medical referee in her appeal against the decision to cease payment of occupational injuries benefit to her.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit in respect of an injury received as a result of an accident at work on 17 October 1984. Injury benefit was paid from 18 October to 29 January 1985 when it was considered that the claimant was not incapable of work following examination by a medical referee. Following appeal against the decision terminating payment of benefit arrangements have been made for the claimant's examination by a different referee at the Tullamore centre on 22 May.
636.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit payments will be reconsidered for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the documentary evidence now submitted stating that she has sought work and showing that she is available for work.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant is available for work and to fulfil this condition a claimant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 10 April 1985 but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She recently appealed against the decision in her case and arrangements are being made to have the matter determined by an appeals officer at the earliest opportunity.
637.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal for maximum rate small holder's unemployment assistance made by persons (details supplied) in County Clare.
The first person mentioned in the details supplied is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £21.75 weekly the appropriate rate £62.95 less means £41.20. His means are derived from the profit from his holding and from the value of capital.
He has not to date appealed against the amount of means assessed against him. However, if he considers that his circumstances have changed it is open to him to have his case reviewed. A form for this purpose can be obtained from his local office.
The second person mentioned in the details supplied is the adult dependant of the applicant and she is not an applicant for unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance in her own right.
638.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay arrears of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 28 June 1984 to 24 July 1984. According to the Department's records she did not satisfy the contribution conditions during the contribution period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 which governed her entitlement to payment of unemployment benefit. She was then given the appropriate application form to enable her to have her means assessed but she failed to return the completed form until 8 October 1984.
Following investigations of her claim her means were assessed at nil with effect from 8 October 1984 the date she recommenced signing as unemployed. She was accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate of £29.95 and continued in receipt of this payment until she requalified for unemployment benefit on 7 January 1985. Her unemployment benefit claim has been paid at the weekly rate of £33.25 since 7 January 1985 and no arrears are due. due.
639.
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.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit for herself and one child with effect from 11 October 1984. An order book payable from 23 May 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly.
A payable order for arrears for the period from 11 October 1984 to 22 May 1985, after adjustments in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the Southern Health Board and the dependants' portions of her husband's unemployment assistance paid to her by the Department, will be sent direct to her shortly.
640.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unemployment benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the conditions that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year.
According to the Department's records the person concerned had only 24 weeks of insurable employment during the contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed entitlement to unemployment benefit on his claim of 13 February 1985. Inquiries are being made at present to establish if an employment during the period August to September 1983 was insurable at a contribution class providing cover against unemployment. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the outcome of these inquiries. In the meantime a claim to unemployment assistance has been allowed at the weekly rate of £9.80, being the appropriate rate £29.95 less means £20.15 which have been assessed against him.
641.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will sanction a free telephone rental allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is an old age pensioner.
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 fifteen 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 husband of the person concerned is permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. Her application was therefore rejected and she was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 29 April 1985.
642.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make an old age pension available to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford on a continuous basis as she must leave the country for five months.
The person has informed the Department that she will be going to Australia for approximately five months and asked if she could collect her old age contributory pension for that period at her local post office when she returns home. Since pension orders are valid for a maximum of three months after the due date she has been informed that she can only cash orders at the local post office bearing a payment date not earlier than three months prior to the date on which she presents them for payment. A cheque to the value of any out-of-date orders will be issued to her if she returns her pension book to the Department. Alternatively, she can nominate an agent to collect the pension on her behalf during the period in which she is out of the country.
643.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who is signing at the Trim employment exchange.
Inquiries were made to ascertain why the person concerned left his last employment and whether he satisfies the condition of being available for work. He has not to date furnished sufficient information to enable a deciding officer to determine his entitlement to unemployment benefit and further inquiries are being made in the matter. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be decided in the light of the outcome of the inquiries.
644.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has been signing at Kells employment exchange for the past ten weeks.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 11 March 1985. Inquiries had to be made to ascertain the reason why he left his previous employment. These investigations were recently completed and his unemployment benefit claim was allowed from the date of claim at the maximum flat rate applicable in his case of £80.15 weekly. All arrears due were paid last week less advances of supplementary welfare allowance which had been paid to him pending a decision on his entitlement to unemployment benefit. Further weekly payments of £80.15 will continue to be made as they become due.
645.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will have his unemployment assistance payments revised to their previous level in view of the fact that he cannot manage on his present income.
Following a reinvestigation the means of the person concerned were increased from £28.85 to £30.75 with effect from 27 February 1985. The means are derived from the profit from his holding. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £56 weekly being the appropriate rate of £86.75 less means £30.75. If he is dissatisfied 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.
646.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in his decision to grant unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until inquiries to enable his means to be assessed had been completed. These inquiries were recently completed and he was assessed with nil means.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £75 and weekly payments commenced to be paid this week. The balance of any arrears of unemployment assistance due to him from the commencement of his claim will be paid as soon as the amount to be reimbursed to his local health board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him pending a decision on his unemployment assistance claim is known.
647.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny where an application has been made and an investigation carried out.
The entitlement to unemployment assistance of the person concerned will be determined as soon as the inquiries which are being made at present to ascertain whether she fulfils the condition of being unemployed under the provision of the Social Welfare Acts have been completed.
648.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive an old age pension.
The person concerned reached age 66 years on 26 July 1984. He claimed an old age contributory pension on 18 March 1985. He was awarded the pension at maximum rate with effect from 21 December 1984 i.e. three months prior to the date of his claim. An old age contributory pension book with orders payable from 5 April 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly. The amount of pension for the period 21 December 1984 to 4 April 1985 has been issued to him by payable order.
649.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 March 1985 and payment was issued at the weekly rate of £80.15 the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with two dependent children.
He was not entitled to pay-related benefit at the commencement of his claim as according to the records of the Department he did not have any reckonable earnings in 1983-84 the income tax year governing his claim. A record of his earnings in that year was received in the Department on 14 May 1985 and established that he was entitled to pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £35.61.
The arrears payable were issued on 15 May 1985 and all benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to 8 May 1985, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
650.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 28 November 1984 and following the completion of inquiries her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she lost her employment by reason of a stoppage of work which was due to a trade dispute. The trade dispute was resolved on 9 April 1985 and employment was resumed but as there was no work immediately available for claimant her claim for unemployment benefit was allowed from that date at the maximum weekly rate of £37.25 being the appropriate rate applicable in her case. All arrears of unemployment benefit due from 9 April 1985 were paid to claimant last week. Further weekly payments will continue as they fall due.
651.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned has been awarded a contributory old age pension with effect from 3 May 1985, i.e. the Friday following his 66th birthday. A contributory old age pension book with orders payable from 3 May 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly.
652.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny fully investigated with a view to having unemployment benefit restored at the earliest possible date.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit from 27 December 1984 to 26 March 1985 when his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment.
He appealed against the disallowance and he attended an oral hearing of his case on 2 April 1985 but the appeals officer also decided that he was not available for employment from 27 March 1985. He was notified of this decision on 2 May 1985. He continues to sign the unemployment register and his entitlement to unemployment benefit is at present being reviewed in the light of efforts he is making to get employment from 3 April 1985.
653.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay unemployment assistance and children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in respect of a child who is attending school.
An increase in the rate of unemployment benefit payable in respect of a qualified child terminates when the child attains the age of 18 years whether or not the child is attending school.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit when the child referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy attained the age of 18 years on 20 July 1984. The rate of unemployment benefit payable to the applicant was reduced from £117.85 weekly to £111.30 weekly with effect from that date.
Children's allowance in respect of the child in question was paid until June 1984, the period up to which her attendance in full time education was certified. If the child continued her education beyond that date, payment in respect of July 1984 up to the date of her 18th birthday may be allowed. An application form for this purpose is available at his local post office.
654.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension at the maximum weekly rate of £40.50. She has also qualified for a widow's benefit payment from the Department of Health and Social Security in Great Britain and is currently in receipt of £1.76 sterling per week.
Her position with regard to a widow's contributory pension has also been examined. However, one of the conditions for award of such pension under Irish legislation is that there must be a yearly average of at least 24 contributions paid or credited on the late husband's or the widow's own insurance record. This condition was not satisfied on either record in this case.
Her late husband was also insurably employed in the United Kingdom and her possible entitlement to a widow's contributory pension from here under the provisions of EC Regulations was investigated. On the basis of his combined Irish and British insurance she would qualify for an Irish pro rata contributory pension at the weekly rate of £35.04 from 7 September 1983, increased to £37.50 from 6 July 1984.
The effective commencement date of the non-contributory pension in payment at present was 6 March 1984. It was not payable before that in view of the payment to her of the special rate of United Kingdom widow's allowance for the first 26 weeks of widowhood up to 5 March 1984. Arrangements are now being made to award her the contributory pro rata pension also in respect of that period and the arrears will be issued to her shortly.
In relation to the period from 6 March 1984, she has been given the option of accepting either the non-contributory pension or the pro rata contributory pension. The advantage of the latter is that it is not subject to a means test. If, therefore, she were to take up employment or otherwise come into possession of additional means, it could be in her interest to change to the pro rata contributory pension. Her optional entitlement to this pension will continue, however, so that she could retain the non-contributory pension at present and exercise the option for the contributory pro rata pension at any time in the future depending on her then circumstances. This has been explained to her by letter.
655.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
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 entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until inquiries to establish if he fulfils the condition of being available for work are completed. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome of these inquiries.
656.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of an unmarried mother's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
A payable order for the arrears in question, after deductions for supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the South Eastern Health Board, has now been sent to the person concerned.
657.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive unemployment assistance.
Unemployment assistance cannot be paid to any person who is not the holder of a qualification certificate.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 6 May 1985 and the case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined accordingly.
658.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given in the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan to whom payment of disability benefit has been discontinued since 8 October 1984.
Arrangements have been made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee in the week commencing 10 June 1985. He will be notified of the time and place of the examination. His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
659.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the issuing of a deserted wife's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit for herself and two children. An order book payable from 23 May 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. Arrears due to the claimant, after deduction of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the Midland Health Board, will be sent direct to her by payable order shortly.
One of the conditions for the receipt of a deserted wife's payment is that the claimant must make reasonable efforts, within the means available to her, to obtain maintenance from her husband and it was not possible to give a decision in this case until the Department were satisfied that the claimant had complied with this condition. The maintenance proceedings in this case are still ongoing but it has been decided to allow payment to the claimant in the interim.
660.
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 person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the rate of £29.95 weekly.
It is presumed that the Deputy's question is applicable to his entitlement to unemployment benefit. He originally claimed unemployment benefit but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that the contributions payable by him during the relevant contribution period, 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983, were appropriate to a contribution class which did not provide cover against unemployment. However the insurability of his employment during that period is being investigated and when inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed.
661.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in having unemployment benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit from 13 April 1985 could not be determined until inquiries had been made to ascertain the date on which he completed the enterprise allowance scheme. These inquiries have recently been completed and his claim has been allowed from 30 April 1985. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due next week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
662.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in having a widow's pension and unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
There is no record of the receipt of a claim to a widow's pension from the person concerned. She claimed unemployment assistance on 15 April 1985 and following an investigation of her case she was assessed with nil means. However, her entitlement to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until inquiries, which are being made to ascertain what steps she is taking to find work and whether she satisfies the condition for unemployment assistance of being available for work, have been completed. These inquiries are expected to be completed shortly after which her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be decided by a deciding officer.
663.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in dealing with the appeal for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; when a decision will be arrived at; and if he is aware that this appeal is now on hands for over three months.
The person concerned appealed the means assessment in his case and arising from contentions raised in the appeal the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
The inquiries which were recently completed established that there had been a change in his circumstances as his wife had ceased employment. Accordingly, a deciding officer revised a previous decision and assessed his means at nil with effect from 18 January 1985. He is therefore entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate of £62.95 with effect from 18 January 1985. All arrears have been paid to him and weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
664.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to the application for an old age pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned lodged an appeal against the decision disallowing her application for an increase in her old age pension. The case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
665.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Limerick applied for unemployment assistance in January last; and when a decision will be made in this case.
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 has been accordingly notified. He has not appealed and has ceased signing as unemployed at his local office.
666.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that correspondence to Deputy Gerard Collins on 12 December 1984 assured him that the application for a free telephone rental allowance in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick had been approved and that notification to this effect was in the course of issue to his wife; if he is aware that this has not issued as of yet; and if he will state that Telecom Éireann have been advised of the decision.
The person concerned was approved for a free telephone rental allowance in December 1984. Telecom Éireann are aware of the decision in the case and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which the applicant is provided with telephone service. In the light of the Deputy's question a duplicate approval notice has been issued to the person concerned.
667.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of a deserted wife's benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
A payable order for the arrears in question, less adjustments in respect of unemployment benefit and the dependants' portions of her husband's unemployment assistance paid to her by the Department, has now been sent to the person concerned.
668.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay the maximum rate of an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £64.80 comprising a personal rate of £37.30, an adult dependant allowance of £18.75 and a child dependant allowance of £8.75. This is the rate appropriate to the latest assessment of his means consisting of half the weekly value of capital and a holding. The personal rate is in payment to the person concerned and the dependant's allowances are in payment to his wife.
If the pensioner feels that his circumstances have deteriorated since his means were last assessed it is open to him to notify this Department to that effect and his case will be reinvestigated.
669.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was not made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will have his application reconsidered.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that an applicant must be available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 6 August 1984 and his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for or genuinely seeking work.
He recently appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have an oral hearing of his appeal this week after which his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
670.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the application for an invalidity pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 23 August 1982 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Arrangements are being made to have her examined by a medical referee. Her entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
671.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £62.75 weekly the appropriate rate of £99.80 less means £37.05. His means are derived from the capital value of a house not personally used by him.
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 was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries are now complete and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
672.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has issued with regard to an appeal for a non-contributory old age pension for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £37.30 from 23 November 1984. This is the rate to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of half the weekly value of her husband's British retirement pension and capital, the disposal of a large part of which has not been accepted for old age pension purposes. A notification of this decision issued to the pensioner on 29 March 1985.
673.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has issued on an application for a widow's pension submitted by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's contributory pension at the weekly rate of £43.45 with effect from 1 March 1985. This is the maximum rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children.
A pension book with orders payable from 17 May 1985 was sent to the designated post office on 16 May 1985 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. Arrears for the period 1 March 1985 to 16 May 1985, after an adjustment in respect of disability benefit paid to her during that time, will be sent direct to the claimant shortly by means of a payable order.
674.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will explain the unreasonable delay in investigating an appeal for unemployment assistance lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; when will her appeal receive attention; if he will furnish a date for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned did not appeal the means assessment in her case but applied for a review of her means following a change of address. She continued to be paid unemployment assistance on the basis of a previously held qualification certificate and was in receipt of £8 weekly. It subsequently came to light that the papers relating to the means review were mislaid in the post and duplicate papers were referred to the social welfare officer. Inquiries were recently completed and a deciding officer assessed her means at nil with effect from 19 December 1984. She is therefore entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate of £29.95.
Payment at the maximum rate £29.95 will commence this week. She was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of her claim and when the amount to be recouped to her local health board is known the balance of any arrears of unemployment assistance due to her will be paid.
675.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a non-contributory old age pension has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension as he does not fulfil the statutory condition as to means. The assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
676.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was not made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the consideration and sanction of a blind person's pension for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath as application has been made since November 1984.
A medical report on the person concerned was submitted to the chief opthalmic surgeon who requested further information before giving his opinion in relation to the qualifying condition as to blindness in this case. This information has only recently come to hand and has been referred back to the chief opthalmic surgeon for consideration. It is expected that the matter will be decided on shortly and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without any further delay.
678.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not received any payment of his pension for the past month.
An old age contributory pension book and a living alone allowance book were returned to the Department by the person concerned requesting cancellation of the appointment of an agent who had previously been authorised to collect the pension on his behalf. This has been done and the books have been returned to the pensioner.
679.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be transferred to invalidity pension.
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 20 June 1983 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 10 June 1985. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
680.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 6 December 1984 and all benefit payable has been issued to 9 May 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as the amount of disability benefit payable in his case exceeds 75 per cent of his average reckonable weekly earnings in the 1982-83 tax year which governs his claim.
681.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is a married man is only in receipt of £18 unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was assessed with means £32.90 weekly derived from the benefit from his brother-in-law's holding. He was in receipt of unemployment assistance on this basis and was paid at the rate of £18.80 weekly. He appealed and an appeals officer reduced the assessment to £5 weekly. He is therefore entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £46.70 being the appropriate rate £51.70 less means £5. Arrears due were paid to him last week and weekly payments are continuing to be made as these become due.
682.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny was refused a non-contributory widow's pension on appeal.
As conveyed in a previous reply to the Deputy about this case in January last, the claim of the person concerned to a widow's contributory pension was disallowed because her means, assessed at £115.70 per week derived from a farm holding and some capital, exceeded the limit of £44 applicable to her as a widow under 66 years with no qualified children. She appealed against this decision and an appeals officer upheld the disallowance on the grounds that she did not fulfil the means requirement. The decision of an appeals officer is final and conclusive and is only subject to review should there be a change in the claimant's circumstances.
683.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who has applied for arrears of an unmarried mother's allowance from February 1984 to May 1984 has not yet received these arrears in spite of repeated calls to his Department's offices.
A payable order for the arrears in question, less an adjustment in respect of unemployment benefit paid to her by the Department, has now been sent to the person concerned.
684.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a cost of living increase to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 resulted in a reduction in the unemployment assistance payable to his son and daughter; if he agrees that children living at home who are not dependants for income tax purposes are discriminated against while children who leave home can claim assistance with cost of rent from the health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In accordance with the provisions of the legislation governing the unemployment assistance scheme the value of the benefit derived by an applicant from board and lodgings in the home of a parent must be taken into account in the assessment of means.
The son of the person concerned was assessed with means of £15.50 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parent's home. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £17.30 weekly being the maximum rate £32.80 less £15.50 means. The daughter of the parent was previously assessed with means at £18.95 weekly but following a recent review of her case her means were also assessed at £15.50 weekly derived from the same source and she is also entitled to unemployment assistance at £17.30 weekly. In her case, arrangements have been made to pay adjusting arrears this week and further payments at £17.30 will be made as these become due.
Each assessment of means for unemployment assistance purposes is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts and Regulations. The method of assessment of means is designed to ensure that the amount of means assessed is related to the circumstances of each applicant and the standard of living which he enjoys. In the case of an applicant for unemployment assistance who lives away from his family home the determination as to whether a supplement in respect of rent under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme should be paid would be for the health board having regard to all the circumstances including the availability or otherwise of alternative accommodation in the particular case.
685.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the correct rate of unemployment benefit will be paid in full to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 26 October 1984 and payment of unemployment benefit was allowed at the maximum weekly rate of £70.25 appropriate in his case. Weekly payments of unemployment benefit have been made to date and will continue as they fall due.
Pay-related benefit is calculated on the basis of reckonable earnings during the relevant income tax year in this case from 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983. According to the records of the Department his total reckonable earnings during this period were £236 and were insufficient for entitlement to pay-related benefit with his flat-rate unemployment benefit.
686.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is recognised locally as having no means as he just cannot get work.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from his plant hire business exceeded the statutory limit. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal against the decision. A form for this purpose can be obtained at his local office.
687.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was not granted a non-contributory old age pension.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the grounds that he does not fulfil the statutory conditions as to means. The assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of income from a public house, exceeds the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
688.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for payment of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £23 weekly derived from beneficial occupation of his father's holding. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £8.75 weekly the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £23. It is open to him to appeal if he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him. A form for this purpose can be obtained at his local office.
689.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance to 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 particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He failed to supply particulars of his holding.
He recently appealed and intimated that he was willing to co-operate with the social welfare officer in the disclosure of his means. The case has been returned to the social welfare officer. When the inquiries are completed 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.
690.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the maximum rate of unemployment assistance to be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £17.65 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his mother's home. He appealed against this decision and an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £17.65 weekly. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £15.15 weekly the appropriate rate £32.80 less means £17.65. In the absence of fresh evidence or new facts the decision of an appeals officer is final.
691.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the application for a free telephone rental allowance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
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.
The husband of the person concerned is in receipt of a qualifying payment in this case. For him to qualify for the allowance, his wife would have to be permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. From the medical evidence furnished this is not the case. His application was therefore rejected and he was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 30 April 1985.
692.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will accept instalment order payments as proposed by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow for arrears of wet-time PRSI contributions; and, if so, if the court proceedings which have been adjourned will be dropped.
The person concerned owes £706.52 arrears of wet-time contributions. An instalment order for payment of the amount due at the rate of £10 per week was made in the District Court on 13 February 1985. A variation of this order was sought and this application was due for hearing on 24 May 1985 but was adjourned on the application of the person's solicitor. It would not be proper to interfere with the arrangements made by the court in this case. Any proposals which the person wishes to make regarding instalment arrangements will be for consideration at the adjourned hearing.
693.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be awarded a non-contributory old age pension.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £37.30 from 1 March 1985. This is the rate to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of the weekly value of capital and her British retirement pension. The appropriate pension book payable from 5 April 1985 issued on 24 April 1985 and a payable order covering arrears of pension due for the period 1 March 1985 to 4 April 1985 issued separately.
694.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the maximum weekly rate of £41.30 from 5 October 1984. The appropriate pension book payable from 5 April 1985 has been issued and a payable order covering arrears of pension for the period 5 October 1984 to 4 April 1985 has been issued separately.
695.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason maternity benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary as she has adequate stamps; when this will be paid; and the amount which will be paid.
Payment of a maternity allowance at the weekly rate of £37.25 has been authorised in this case. Cheques will issue on a weekly basis from 20 May 1985 to 10 August 1985 when her entitlement ceases.
696.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason half the Irish weekly value of his British retirement pension and capital has been assessed as means in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth in view of the details contained in recent circular letter on Savings for the Elderly.
It is presumed that the Deputy has in mind the leaflet "Pensioners and Savings" which was issued jointly by the Department and An Post. This leaflet shows, in the case of persons who have no other means, the amount of capital which may be held to qualify for full and minimum non-contributory pensions. If there are means in addition to capital, these must also be assessed in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions.
The persons concerned are each in receipt of old age non-contributory pensions at the weekly rate of £21.30 which is the rate appropriate to the assessment of their means from all sources under the relevant legislation.
697.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying moneys due on disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who was out of work because of illness for eight or nine weeks around last October and on whose behalf medical certificates were sent to his Department.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 October 1984. She was not entitled to benefit as according to the records of the Department she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in the 1982-83 year which governs the claim.
She subsequently submitted details of her employment record confirming that she has sufficient contributions paid to qualify for payment of benefit. All benefit payable to 27 November 1984, after which date she was certified as fit to resume work, has now been issued to the person concerned.
698.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to the application for an old age pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The old age pension claim entitlements of the person concerned has been partially investigated by the social welfare officer. He is at present awaiting information regarding an interest in a holding and when this comes to hand the matter will be reported on, a decision will be given without delay and the claimant will be notified.
699.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Limerick was granted the old age contributory pension at the rate of £48.25 per week from 7 December 1984; if he is aware that this person who was born on 15 November 1917 has not been paid the arrears which are due to her; and the date from which the pension should be paid to her.
The person concerned reached age 66 on 15 November 1983. She claimed an old age contributory pension on 19 March 1985. She is at present in receipt of invalidity pension and it has been decided to treat her claim for that pension as if it had been a claim for old age contributory pension from the Friday following the date on which she reached age 66. Accordingly, the effective date of the award of old age contributory pension to her has been revised to 18 November 1983.
Arrangements are being made to exchange her present invalidity pension book for an old age contributory pension book. When this is done the arrears of old age contributory pension, less the amount of invalidity pension paid to her since she reached age 66, will be issued to her as quickly as possible thereafter.
700.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the unemployment assistance appeal lodged through Newcastle West exchange by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and when a decision will be forthcoming on the case.
The appeal of the person concerned was referred to an appeals officer but due to the increased number of persons applying for appeals under various social welfare services there is an inevitable lengthening of the time in determining cases. The appeals officer will deal with the case at the earliest opportunity.
701.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick referred to a medical referee having regard to the fact that he has now been a number of months without his full entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 14 February 1985, following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was notified of this decision and of his right to appeal on 25 February 1985 but a reply was not received until 26 March 1985. The person concerned indicated that the delay in replying was due to a postal strike in Limerick at that time. Arrangements have been made to have him examined on 23 May 1985 by a different medical referee. His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
702.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement on the present position with regard to an appeal hearing for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Payment of invalidity pension to the person concerned was disallowed from 6 September 1984, following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and he was examined on 21 September 1984 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work.
His case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer having held an oral hearing, decided that the claimant was not incapable of work during the period 6 September 1984 to date and is not entitled to be paid invalidity pension or disability benefit in respect of that period. The person concerned was notified accordingly on 20 May 1985.
703.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned recently applied for unemployment assistance and the 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 determined accordingly.
704.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 2 January 1985 and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. However he failed to make himself available for interview and the investigation could not be carried out. He has recently been advised to make himself available for interview and has agreed to co-operate. The case was returned to the social welfare officer for investigation and when inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined accordingly.
705.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is still being refused unemployment assistance when he has provided all reasonable information in relation to the disposal of his redundancy payment, has submitted statements from banks and other institutions in Cork to his office stating that he has no investments with them and has also submitted receipts for expenditure since the day he became redundant.
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 appealed against the disallowance of his claim and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further investigation. Following completion of these inquiries an appeals officer also disallowed his claim. In the absence of fresh evidence or new facts the decision of an appeals officer is final.
706.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned was examined in February last by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have her referred for a further examination after six months. She is therefore not qualified for the receipt of invalidity pension. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with this decision it is open to her to forward a detailed report from her doctor. On receipt of this report the question as to whether she is permanently incapable of work will be reviewed by the medical adviser of the Department.
707.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the transfer from disability benefit to invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 8 March 1983 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 in January last by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination after nine months. He is, therefore, not qualified for the receipt of invalidity pension. 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.