asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who was 66 years in January 1985 and who applied for the pension in October 1984.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
263.
The person concerned was awarded an old age pension at the weekly rate of £31.30 from 2 January 1985, the date she reached age 66 years. This pension cannot, however, be paid in addition to the adult dependant allowance which her husband is receiving in respect of her with his contributory old age pension. The adult dependant allowance is higher than her old age pension which is not, therefore, payable. The person concerned is entitled to payment of old age pension for the period up to 21 February 1985 when her husband's contributory pension became payable. Due to clerical error, this did not issue at the time and a payable order for the amount involved is now being issued.
264.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that an applicant must be available for and genuinely seeking but unable to obtain work. The claim of the person concerned of 27 February 1985 was disallowed by a deciding officer who held that she was not available for employment by reason of not genuinely seeking work. She appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of her case on 3 September 1985 but the appeals officer also decided that she was not available for employment. She continued to sign as unemployed and following the appeals officer's decision, her case was referred to a deciding officer who again disallowed her claim from 4 September 1985 on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She was notified of the decision and a form to enable her to appeal against the decision issued to her on 17 October, 1985 on request. It is understood that she is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
265.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan is receiving only £14.45 per week unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £14.45 weekly the appropriate rate £31.75 less means of £17.30. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and a form for this purpose can be obtained at his local office.
266.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of expectant mothers who (i) have applied for dental treatment on their husbands insurance; (ii) have been accepted for such treatment; and (iii) have been refused.
The treatment benefits scheme was extended to provide cover for pregnant wives of qualified insured persons on 11 July 1985. Up to 17 October a total of 1,257 claims to dental benefit had been received and the proposed treatment has been approved in 1,130 cases. A further 78 claims are under investigation and the claimants have been requested to supply additional information to determine eligibility for benefit. The remaining 49 claimants have been refused benefit because the statutory contribution conditions were not satisfied on the basis of the husband's contribution record.
267.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan is not receiving any unemployment assistance.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that her means of £36 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging on her father's holding exceeded the statutory limit. If she is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against her it is open to her to appeal and have her case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose can be obtained at her local office. She has ceased to sign at her local office since 27 August 1985.
268.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal for an increase in unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned reapplied for unemployment assistance on 25 June 1985 and his claim was put into payment on the basis of a qualification certificate issued to him in 1983. He is therefore entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £42.50 being the appropriate rate £94 less means £51.50. His case was recently referred to a social welfare officer for a review of his means. When the inquiries are completed his means will be reviewed and his rate of unemployment assistance adjusted accordingly.
269.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan who applied for an increase in smallholder's assistance.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £79.55 weekly being the appropriate rate £137.25 less means of £57.70 derived from the profit from his holding. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arising out of the contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries were completed his case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination. His case will be dealt with at the earliest opportunity and his rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.