asked the Minister for Social Welfare in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is now eight weeks in arrears with house rent and is in danger of being evicted for non-payment, and that the Eastern Health Board have refused assistance as he is the joint owner of another house, and his lawful wife from whom he has been separated for very many years, and with whom he has written agreement giving her entitlement to the house; if she will instruct the health board to assist in this case as they are demanding that he legally assign the deeds of the house to her to prove he has no interest in the property, which will take months to achieve.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
128.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the supplementary welfare allowances scheme in the Dublin area, that payment to the person concerned of assistance towards rent was not considered warranted as he was the owner of a house which was vacant at the time. It is a matter for the person concerned to supply reasonable evidence that alternative accommodation is not available to him. The determination of entitlement to an allowance in any individual case is entirely a matter for the health board.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an invalidity pension has not yet been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of his medical history which is supported by medical certification.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned was examined on 30 January 1986 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination in May 1986. A deciding officer has decided that he is not therefore entitled to invalidity pension.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not yet been granted an invalidity pension as he has been ill for a consider able period and is apparently permanently invalided.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. Arrangements are being made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment assistance has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly in view of the fact that he is married with three children and is in receipt of only £40.75 per week.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £43.90 weekly, derived from the benefit from his wife's earnings. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £40.75 weekly being the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case of £84.65 less means of £43.90.
He recently appealed against the means assessment and his claim has been submitted to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. Further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason optical benefit has not been finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
One of the contribution conditions for receipt of optical benefit requires persons over 21 years of age to have had not less than 26 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year. The governing contribution year for claims made in 1985 was the 1983-84 year from 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984.
The person concerned claimed optical benefit on 26 November 1985. According to the records of the Department she had a total of 21 credited contributions only in the 1983-84 governing contribution year and therefore her claim could not be approved. She was informed of the position on 3 December 1985.
She then requested that her claim be considered under the scheme for expectant wives of qualified insured workers. Under this scheme benefit can only be awarded in respect of optical services or appliances claimed during the course of pregnancy. Medical evidence supplied by the claimant indicated that she had been confined prior to the date of her claim and it could not therefore be approved. She was notified accordingly on 16 December 1985.
The governing contribution year changed with effect from 6 January 1986 and entitlement to optical benefit is now governed by contributions paid or credited in the 1984-85 contribution year. The person concerned has a total of 47 contributions paid and credited for that year and therefore would be entitled to benefit in respect of any optical services or appliances provided since 6 January 1986. As it is understood from her optician that she has not received a sight test or glasses to date it is now open to her to resubmit her claim and a form for this purpose has been issued to her.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded unemployment assistance, even at a reduced rate, and if so, when.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on an applicant being the holder of a qualification certificate and to obtain a qualification certificate, an applicant must satisfy certain conditions including an assessment of means. The person concerned was not available for interview when the social welfare officer called to investigate his means. Despite a return call, he still was not available for interview and consequently, no further action could be taken at that time.
He recently advised his local office of a change of address and the papers were then referred to the appropriate social welfare officer who will carry out the necessary inquiries as soon as possible. When the inquiries are completed, his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not being paid disability benefit at full rate as his local authority housing rent is based on full benefit.
The person concerned received payment of disability benefit at the maximum rate of £74.50 to 4 January 1986 based on his contribution record in the 1983-84 governing contribution year. From 6 January 1986 his claim is governed by the 1984-85 contribution year and according to the records of the Department he has only 40 credited contributions recorded for that year. Therefore, from 6 January 1986, he qualifies for payment at the reduced rate of £71.55. He has been requested to furnish details of his insurance record for the 1984-85 contribution year if he contends that the Department's records are incomplete. However to date he has not done so.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will reduce from £8.39 to £2.50 the weekly deductions from the unemployment benefit payable to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in view of the financial hardship being caused to his family.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim for unemployment benefit 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.