asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
634.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been partially investigated by the social welfare officer. Further details regarding the pensioner's bank account and the transfer of holdings have been requested and when these are received the claim will be referred to a deciding officer for decision. The claimant will be notified of the outcome in due course.
635.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in the County Galway against the decision refusing him unemployment assistance; and if he will inform Deputy Frank Fahey of the outcome of the decision.
Arising out of contentions made by the person concerned 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. Arrangements are being made to notify the Deputy and the applicant of the decision of the appeals officer.
636.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
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 did not satisfy the contribution condition during the contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed entitlement to unemployment benefit on her claim of 13 February 1985. Her claim was accordingly disallowed.
She appealed against the disallowance on 26 March 1985, but an appeals officer also disallowed her unemployment benefit claim on the grounds that she did not satisfy the contribution condition. She was notified accordingly. She continues to sign for credits.
637.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is entitled to pay-related benefit on his short time working; and, if so, when such payments will be issued.
On the basis of his earnings in the income tax period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 the person concerned is entitled to pay-related benefit at the rate of £13.24 weekly and all the arrears due were paid last week. He is in receipt of unemployment benefit at the maximum weekly flat rate of £70.25 and pay-related benefit of £13.24. Further combined weekly payments of £83.49 will continue to be made as they fall due.
638.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefits intermittently from 20 March 1985. Inquiries had to be made to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for work. These inquiries were recently completed and her claim has been allowed. All arrears due were paid last week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
639.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is entitled to pay-related benefit; and, if so, when payments will be issued.
Entitlement to pay-related benefits is subject to the condition that the weekly sum of pay-related benefit, flat rate unemployment benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of the net average weekly earnings of the claimant.
Inquiries had to be made to establish the 85 per cent limit applicable in this case. These inquiries were recently completed and the 85 per cent limit has been calculated at £99.10. As he is in receipt of £80.15 flat rate unemployment benefit the weekly rate of pay-related benefit to which he is entitled is limited to £18.95 weekly. All arrears of pay-related benefit due were paid last week. Combined weekly payments of £99.10 will continue to be made in respect of weeks of proved unemployment.
640.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payment of disability benefit will be restored to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that she is incapable of work; and if the second medical referee hearing will be expedited.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 27 April 1985 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Arrangements have been made to have her examined by a different medical referee on 6 June 1985 and her entitlement to further payment will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
641.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid on a regular basis to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when these payments will be regularised; and the amount which will be paid.
The person concerned has been paid disability benefit at the weekly rate of £61.40, the maximum appropriate rate, from 16 April 1985, the fourth day of incapacity. All benefit payable to 21 May 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued. Benefit is paid on receipt of medical certificates in the Department. An examination of payments made on the claim shows that there has been no delay in issuing payment.
642.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will now arrange for arrears of a children's allowance to be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12.
A claim for children's allowance was made by the person concerned on 23 January 1985. The appropriate allowance books, payable from February, were issued to her on 21 March 1985 and arrears due for January 1985 are in the course of issue. The question of her entitlement to further arrears is under investigation. When inquiries are complete an early decision will be given and she will be notified of the outcome.
643.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the exact amount paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 by way of a widow's contributory pension from 6 April 1984 to 25 January 1985, as this information is urgently required by her inspector of taxes.
The person concerned was paid the sum of £1,874.75 by way of her widow's contributory pension from 6 April 1984 to 25 January 1985.
644.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who has been claiming an unmarried mother's allowance for four and a half years is not being allowed to claim unemployment benefit since she was never advised of her entitlement in the matter and would have claimed all along had she known of her entitlements.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 7 May 1985 some five years after her employment had been terminated in January 1980. She has not shown good cause for her failure to make a claim for benefit during the period January 1980 to May 1985 and accordingly permission to sign back for the period in question has not been granted.
She is not entitled to benefit on her claim of 7 May 1985 as she does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 26 contributions paid or credited at the appropriate rate during the contribution year 1983-84 which governs her claim of 7 May 1985. She is at present in receipt of unmarried mother's allowance at the appropriate weekly rate applicable in her case of £62.65.
645.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Laois was refused a free telephone rental in view of the fact that both he and his wife are old age pensioners, in bad health and are living in an isolated area.
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 and in an emergency. The person concerned is in receipt of a qualifying payment and is residing with his wife who is not from the medical evidence furnished, permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. His application was therefore rejected and he was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 9 April 1985.
646.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the application for a death grant made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Payment of a death grant at the maximum rate has been authorised in this case. A cheque for £100 issued to the person concerned on 27 May 1985.
647.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the application for a non-contributory widow's 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 14 June 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 that date was issued to the designated post office on 23 May 1985 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly.
Her late husband had been in receipt of an old age contributory pension at the rate of £79.05 a week, which included an increase in respect of his wife, and payment of this pension is being made to her for six weeks after his death on 27 April 1985, in place of widow's pension.
648.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who is in receipt of only £45.60 per week contributory old age pension.
One of the conditions for receipt of contributory old age pension under the Social Welfare Acts requires a person to have contributions paid in respect of at least 156 weeks of insurable employment. The Department's records show that the person concerned had a total of 890 reckonable contributions of which only 143 were paid contributions. He does not, therefore, qualify for the pension under the Social Welfare Acts.
He was also insurably employed in Great Britain for a period of 38 weeks. Under EC regulations the insurance records of a person who was employed in another EC member state may be combined to enable him to qualify for a pro-rata rate pension calculated on the basis of the number of his Irish contributions in proportion to the combined total. In this case the combined total amounted to 928 of which 890 were Irish contributions. His pro-rata rate pension was calculated accordingly giving him entitlement to the pension at a current rate of £45.60 per week.
649.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the decision on a free electricity allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
To be eligible for a free electricity allowance a person must either be living alone or be living with certain categories of persons only. The person concerned was approved for a free electricity allowance in 1981. One of his sons who resided with him ceased to come within the categories of excepted persons on reaching the age limit of 18 years and the allowance was therefore withdrawn in March 1985.
Recent information suggests that the living alone condition may be again satisfied in this case. Further inquiries are therefore being made and when these are completed his entitlement to the allowance will be determined and he will be notified of the outcome.
650.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason maternity benefit was disallowed to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22.
According to the Department's records the person concerned has insufficient contributions in either the 1983-84 or 1984-85 contribution years to qualify her for payment of maternity benefit. She was requested on 7 May 1985 to forward any additional information which might assist the Department ascertain her full contribution record.
651.
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 since December 1984.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 24 December 1984. According to the records of the Department he did not satisfy the contribution condition during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 on the basis of his Irish record.
However, inquiries had to be made to ascertain that he had contributions paid in the United Kingdom during the relevant contribution period. These inquiries were recently completed and his unemployment benefit claim was allowed from the date of claim at £88.35 weekly which is the appropriate rate payable in his case. All arrears of unemployment benefit 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.
Inquiries are also being made to ascertain if he is entitled to pay-related benefit. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to pay-related benefit will be determined in the light of the outcome of the inquiries.
652.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The conditions for receipt of a deserted wife's payment require a husband to have left his wife of his own volition and she must have made and continue to make reasonable efforts to obtain maintenance from him for her support. The claim of the person concerned to a deserted wife's payment was refused on the grounds that these conditions were not fulfilled. She appealed against this decision and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. She will be notified of the date and venue of the hearing should the officer decide to have an oral hearing of the appeal.
653.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has not received unemployment assistance despite applying two months ago; and if he will ensure that payment now issues.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. The social welfare officer visited the applicant in his home but subsequently required some additional information before finalising his report. However, his efforts to make a second visit were unsuccessful as the applicant had moved house and the social welfare officer had received incorrect details of the new address. Arrangements have now been made for the social welfare officer to call to the correct address this week. When the inquiries of the social welfare officer are completed the means of the applicant will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined accordingly.
654.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan, was refused a free telephone rental allowance.
To quality 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 application from the person concerned was rejected because her cousin with whom she resides was not, on the evidence available, permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. In the light of the information furnished by the Deputy, the application has been reviewed and the person concerned has been approved for this allowance. Telecom Éireann have been informed of this decision and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which the applicant is provided with telephone service.
655.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a contributory old age pension book issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who was awarded such a pension from 19 April 1985.
The person concerned has been awarded a contributory old age pension at the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 39 contributions with effect from 19 April 1985, the Friday following his 66th birthday. A contributory old age pension book containing orders payable from 19 April 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly.
656.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The application of the person concerned to old age non-contributory pension has been referred to the social welfare officer for investigation. She is at present awaiting birth certificates and when these come to hand the matter will be reported on, and a decision will be given. The claimant will be notified of the outcome in due course.
657.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay a full pension to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The application of the person concerned to old age non-contributory pension has been referred to the social welfare officer for investigation. Details regarding the claimant's bank accounts and transfer of a business to his son have been requested and when these are received his claim will be reported on and referred to a deciding officer for decision. The claimant will be notified of the outcome in due course.
658.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will grant a free electricity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
There is no trace either in the Department or in the district ESB office of the receipt of an application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned.
An application form has therefore been issued to her and if she considers that she satisfies the conditions for receipt of the allowance as outlined on the form she should complete it and forward it in the first instance to the ESB for attention. On receipt of the completed application in the Department the matter will be considered further and she will be notified of the outcome.
659.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the special circumstances involved, he will grant a free telephone rental allowance forthwith to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22.
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 pensioner in this case is residing with his wife who is not, from the medical evidence furnished, permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. His application was therefore rejected and he was notified of this decision and the reason for it on 3 April 1985.
It is open to the applicant to submit more comprehensive medical evidence in support of his claim if he is dissatisfied with the decision in his case. His entitlement to the allowance will be reviewed in the light of any new medical evidence received.
660.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who was redundant and is assiduously seeking work; and when payments will be resumed.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed 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. He has been informed accordingly. If he is dissatisfied with this decision it is open to him to appeal and have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose can be obtained at his local office.
661.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 22 February 1984 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 13 May 1985 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 in nine months time. He is not therefore qualified for 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.
662.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a non-contributory old age pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was reduced to £23.30 per week, since last year as he was assessed as having means of £24 per week; how this figure was arrived at as he is not obtaining this amount; when this position will be rectified; when proper payments will be made; and the amount that will be paid.
During a routine investigation of the old age pension entitlements of the person concerned it was found that his means had increased since the date of the last assessment. Accordingly it was decided that he is entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £23.30 from 24 August 1984. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the latest assessment of his means consisting of the weekly value of a pension from Irish Pensions Trust and capital, the disposal of a large part of which has not been accepted for old age pension purposes.
663.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of a non-contributory old age pension will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The application of the person concerned to an old age non-contributory pension has been referred to the social welfare officer for investigation. When his inquiries have been completed the case will be decided on, and the claimant will be notified of the outcome.
664.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the acknowledged unsatisfactory delay in communications within his Department, resulting too often in severe hardship to social welfare recipients, he will arrange as part of his review of the whole social welfare code to have the system restructured and decentralised on a regional basis with a view to removing the present inadequacies.
The Commission on Social Welfare has a wide-ranging brief and it is fair to anticipate that it will comment on the Department's level of service to the public and where necessary recommend improvements.
The administration of the Department's services on a regional basis would require resources of staff and equipment that are not available to it at present. The Department is conscious of the need for providing as much information as possible in relation to its services on a localised basis. With this in mind, a computerised inquiry service has been provided in local offices throughout the country and this is gradually being extended as circumstances permit. Improvements in the telephone system including the installation of a modern PABX in Aras Mhic Dhiarmada, work on which is now in progress, will significantly reduce delays for people contacting headquarter sections.
The question of deciding and paying benefits such as disability benefit, which are at present administered centrally, on a local or regional basis is something which the Department keeps under review. Because however of the current pressures on the Department's local offices and also because of the additional resources which would be required, it can only be viewed as a somewhat long term possibility.
665.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at £16.35 weekly on the basis of a notional assessment. His means were factually assessed in June 1984 and he was assessed with means of £33.40. He appealed and an appeals officer reduced the amount of means assessed against him to £26.90 weekly. He is accordingly in receipt of £4.85 weekly the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £26.90. His means were derived from the profit from his holding.
His case has been referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of his means. The social welfare officer has made a number of void calls to his home address, and will make a notified call again shortly. When the social welfare officer completes his inquiries the applicant's means will be reassessed and his rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
666.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick only received disability benefit instead of the occupational injury benefit to which he was entitled in respect of the period from 9 October 1984, to 30 October 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was awarded injury benefit in respect of the period from 9 October 1984 to 29 October after which he resumed work. All injury benefit due over and above the disability benefit paid on an interim basis pending investigations was issued on 17 May.
667.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The arrears of disability benefit payable to the person concerned for the period from 16 July 1984 to 2 April 1985, less the amount of unemployment assistance paid in the same period, have been issued to him.
668.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 January 1985 under her old single RSI number. She was not entitled to benefit at the commencement of her claim as according to the records of the Department she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in the 1983-84 governing contribution year under that RSI number. She was informed of this on 12 February 1985.
It has now been established that she has sufficient contributions paid and credited under her married RSI number to qualify her for payment of benefit. All benefit payable to 18 April 1985, after which date she was certified fit to resume work, has now been issued to the person concerned less the amounts of disability benefit and unemployment benefit which she was previously overpaid and which have been deducted from the arrears payable.
669.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having free telephone rental allowance approved for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Before a final decision could be given in this case it was necessary to obtain a comprehensive medical certificate in respect of the applicant's wife. When this evidence was received the application was examined and approved. The person concerned was notified of the decision on 23 May 1985. Telecom Éireann have been informed of the decision in this case and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which the applicant is provided with telephone service.
670.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the payment of unemployment benefit and arrears to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 4 March 1985. Following inquiries his claim was disallowed for a period of six weeks from his last date of employment on 28 February 1985 on the grounds that he lost his employment through his own misconduct. He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer at the earliest opportunity.
His claim was allowed from 12 April 1985 at £80.15 weekly being the appropriate rate of flat rate unemployment benefit applicable in his case. Further combined weekly payments of unemployment benefit, with £39.13 pay-related benefit, are continuing to be made as they become due.
671.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to unemployment benefit on 30 April 1985 and he was issued with unemployment assistance claim forms some considerable time before that date but failed to return them until 26 April 1985.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until inquiries at present being made by the social welfare officer have been completed. When these inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
672.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not in receipt of a living alone allowance and an over 80 allowance.
The person concerned is currently entitled to an old age pension at the maximum weekly rate of £47.50 which includes a living alone allowance of £3 and an over 80 allowance of £3.20. To effect recovery of an overpayment of pension, deductions of £2 per week were being made until early this month. This overpayment has now been recovered and the pensioner has been requested to return his books for the appropriate adjustment. When these are received the pensioner will be issued with the appropriate pension books which will restore his full pension entitlements. These will include the living alone allowance book which did not issue to the pensioner due to an administrative error. Any inconvenience caused to the pensioner is regretted.
673.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a claim for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until extensive inquiries, at present being made by a social welfare officer, have been completed. These inquiries will be completed this week and his case will then be referred to a deciding officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
674.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite the claim for an oral hearing in an application for a deserted wife's allowance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The appeals officer proposes to hold an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned in the week commencing 17 June 1985. She will be notified of the exact date and venue of the hearing when the final arrangements have been made.
675.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite the claim for an oral hearing in an appeal for increased unemployment assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £31.70 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and on 3 January 1985 an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £31.70.
It has not been possible in the time available to examine all the papers in this case which are at present with a local officer of the Department. Nevertheless there does not appear to be any record in the Department of a request for a review of the appeals officer's decision. It is open to the person concerned to apply for such a review based on fresh facts or evidence when the question of an oral hearing will be examined.
676.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for an increase in unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £27.30 weekly derived from the profit from his holding and from the value of capital. He is accordingly in receipt of £2.65 weekly the appropriate rate £29.95 less means £27.30. He has not appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and it is still open to him to do so. A form for this purpose can be obtained at his local office.
677.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason arrears of unemployment assistance from 28 October 1983 to 18 October 1984, were not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
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 28 October 1983 but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for and genuinely seeking work. He appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of his case. The appeals officer also decided on 2 February 1984, that he was not available for and genuinely seeking work.
He continued to sign the unemployment register for the period following the appeal hearing up to 4 September 1984. However, due to an oversight, his case was not reviewed from the date following the appeals officer's decision, as is normal procedure. The relevant papers have now been referred to a deciding officer for consideration whether the person concerned satisfied the conditions for the receipt of unemployment assistance during the period 3 February 1984 to 4 September 1984. He will be notified of the deciding officer's decision in due course.
He satisfied the conditions for the receipt of unemployment assistance on his claim of 18 October 1984 and his claim has been allowed from that date. He is at present in receipt of £6.95 weekly, the appropriate rate £29.95 less means £23.
678.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 as he applied in 1980.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to old age non-contributory pension at the weekly rate £23.05 which includes an adult dependant allowance of £7.75, with effect from 18 January 1985, the Friday following receipt of his application. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means consisting of half the weekly value of an occupational pension. The appropriate pension book and arrears due have been issued. His claim to old age contributory pension was disallowed in November 1980 on the grounds that he failed to satisfy the statutory contribution conditions for receipt of that pension.
679.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received payment of occupational injuries benefit since the third week of March.
The person concerned was awarded injury benefit from 8 October 1984 resulting from an accident at work on that date. All benefit was paid in respect of the maximum injury benefit period to 6 April 1985.
In such cases the claimant is then considered for disability benefit. There was a delay in transferring the person concerned to disability benefit due to the claim being misplaced. Disability benefit has now been paid to the date of the latest medical certificate received less an amount refunded to the Southern Health Board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced. Disablement benefit has also been claimed and arrangements are being made for his medical examination to assess the extent of his disablement.
680.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received the maternity benefit she applied for in April 1985.
Payment of maternity benefit cannot be approved in this case. The person concerned has insufficient contributions paid at the appropriate rate since entry into insurance on 25 May 1984.
681.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against the amount of a non-contributory old age pension granted to her.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension at the rate of £36.50. This is the rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years of age whose weekly means exceed £8 but do not exceed £10. Her means derived from a holding of land and profits from a small business were assessed at £8.46 per week.
She has indicated in a recent letter that she no longer has control of the land and a social welfare officer will be visiting her shortly to assess her present means. When the officer's report is received her claim will be reviewed and she will be notified of the outcome.
682.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who lives alone and who is seeking free telephone rental allowance; and if he will consider admitting this category of person to the free telephone rental allowance scheme in view of the fact that it is unfair that they are omitted.
The person concerned is not in receipt of a qualifying payment and his application for a free telephone rental allowance cannot therefore be approved. The free telephone rental allowance scheme was introduced as a measure of assistance for recipients of social welfare type pensions. Of its very nature, therefore, it excludes persons who do not receive such a qualifying payment. Inclusion of recipients of non-social welfare type pensions would have serious cost implications for this and other similar schemes administered by the Department and such a move cannot therefore be considered in present financial circumstances.
683.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Galway is in receipt of the maximum rate of old age pension.
Following a routine investigation of the old age pension entitlements of the person concerned it was discovered that he had a British retirement pension which he had not previously disclosed. Accordingly it was decided that he is not entitled to an old age pension from 22 June 1984 on the ground that he does not fulfil the statutory conditions as to means. His means comprising a British retirement pension and income from a holding exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
684.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has been signing on since the beginning of January will receive payment of unemployment benefit.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit is governed by his contribution record during the contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984. Inquiries are being made to establish whether his unemployment during this period was appropriate to a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment and when the investigations are completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be decided in the light of the outcome.
He is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £27.10 being the appropriate rate £30.90 less £3.80 means pending the determination of his entitlement to unemployment benefit.