asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of an increase in unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
70.
Following re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed at nil with effect from 16 January 1986. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum appropriate weekly rate of £33.80. All adjusting arrears were paid to him on 11 March 1986 and further weekly payments of £33.80 will continue to be made as they become due.
71.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a second medical referee hearing will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 19 February 1986 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have her examined by a different medical referee on 24 April 1986. Her entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
72.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was refused arrears of disability benefit further to his being reinstated by a medical referee for disability benefit payments and now that he has appealed if these payments will now be issued.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 18 November 1985 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee who found him to be incapable of work from 21 February 1986 only.
Accordingly, payment of benefit was restored from 21 February 1986 and all benefit payable, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the South Eastern Health Board, has been issued to date.
The person concerned has been asked to set out the reasons for his appeal and when this information comes to hand his claim to benefit in respect of the period from 18 November 1985 to 20 February 1986 will be referred to an appeals officer for determination.
73.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded unemployment assistance payments; and, if so, when and at what rate, in view of the fact that he has no income.
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 unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. The social welfare officer has interviewed the person concerned but cannot complete his report until certain particulars of his income are clarified by the applicant.
When these inquiries are completed the case will be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means and the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
74.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will not receive unemployment assistance.
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 applied for unemployment assistance on 30 January 1986 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means. The inquiries are not completed, to date, as the claimant has failed to provide documentary evidence of his home circumstances which is required in order to determine the value of board and lodgings enjoyed by him.
When he supplies the necessary information his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
75.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reasons for the unusually high number of visits and interviews imposed on him; if she will now direct her Department to pay the maximum amount immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed, with effect from 5 March 1986, at £42.45 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at £34.50 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £76.95 less means of £42.45.
Any visits made to the person concerned were necessary and were in connection with the completion of investigations regarding his means. Weekly payments of £34.50 will continue to be made as they become due.
76.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has been signing for an abnormal period of time; if she will direct immediate payments to be made; the date and amount which will be paid, including arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed by a deciding officer at £58.35 weekly, derived from self-employment. His means exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case and his claim was, accordingly, disallowed.
He appealed against the disallowance and, arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal, the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. The inquiries were recently completed and the case was then submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means.
The appeals officer reduced the means assessment to £51.85 weekly, but as the means assessed still exceed the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable, he is not entitled to payment. Notification of the appeals officer's decision has been issued to the person concerned.
77.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan who applied for unemployment assistance on 7 August 1985 can expect a decision.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £15.70 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging on his parents holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £16.05 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75 less means of £15.70. The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since 20 February 1986, when all arrears due were paid, and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
78.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan is receiving only £62 unemployment assistance.
There is a substantial overpayment of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance due by the person concerned in respect of periods during which he was paid these benefits when he was not entitled to them. This overpayment is being recovered through weekly deductions from his current entitlement to unemployment assistance.
The means of the person concerned are assessed at nil and he is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum weekly rate of £92.35. An amount of £30 weekly was being deducted from his entitlement to offset against the overpayment, resulting in weekly payments of £62.35 being made to him.
Following a review of the position the amount being deducted was reduced to £5.60 from 12 March 1986 and he is now in receipt of £86.75 weekly being the rate payable of £92.35, less £5.60. Deductions will continue until the overpayment has been recovered and weekly payments of £86.75 will continue to be made as they become due.
79.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance and a free electricity allowance will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is presently in receipt of an old age pension.
An application from the person concerned for a free telephone rental allowance was approved with effect from 29 November 1985. He was notified accordingly on 7 March 1986. Telecom Éireann has been advised of the decision in the case and will arrange to apply the allowance to the applicant's telephone account. The person concerned has been in receipt of free electricity allowance since 1982.
80.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Invalidity pension has been awarded from 10 October 1985. A pension book payable from 10 April 1986 will be issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 10 October 1985 to 9 April 1986, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period, will be paid by payable order.
81.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give details of the means assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is in receipt of unemployment assistance.
Following re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim in December 1983, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £19.20 weekly, derived from admitted self-employment as a plumber. According to the Department's records, he did not appeal against the means assessment at that time or subsequently apply for a review of his means.
He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £57.75 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £76.95 less means of £19.20. Arrangements are being made to have his means re-investigated and the rate of unemployment assistance payable will be determined in the light of the means reassessment. Further weekly payments of £57.75 are continuing to be made as they become due.
82.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be paid her pay-related benefit.
Pay-related benefit is calculated on the basis of reckonable earnings during the relevant income tax year. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 13 January 1986. The relevant income tax year in her case was the period 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985 and inquiries had to be made to establish her earnings during this period.
These inquiries were recently completed and payment of pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £14.34 has been allowed in her case. Arrangements have been made to issue a payable order for encashment at her local post office in respect of all arrears of pay-related benefit due, this week. The person concerned ceased to sign as unemployed after 1 March 1986.
83.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £54.70 weekly, derived from benefit from his wife's earnings. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of 10p weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case, of £54.80 less means of £54.70. Arrangements have been made with his local office to pay all arrears due this week and weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
84.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of a maternity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit under the scheme for women in current employment on 10 January 1986 in respect of her confinement on 28 February 1986. The Department's records indicated at that time that she had insufficient contributions paid or credited in 1984-85, the contribution year which governed her claim. Further inquiries had to be made and it was established that she had 13 credited contributions which qualified her for payment of maternity benefit at the weekly rate of £71.05 increasing to £73.90 from 7 April 1986.
A cheque for £378.95 which represented benefit due from 31 January 1986 to 8 March 1986 issued to her on 4 March 1986. Weekly payments will continue to issue to her until 8 May 1986 when her entitlement to benefit ceases.
85.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until extensive inquiries had been made to establish that he fulfilled the condition of being available for work. These inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at the appropriate rate applicable in his case of £93.70 weekly.
He is a postal applicant and a voucher issued to him on 6 March for encashment at his local post office in respect of all arrears of unemployment benefit due. Further weekly payments of £93.70 will continue to be made as they become due.
86.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if her Department will approve the application for an increase in a non-contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Following an application for an increase in her widow's non-contributory pension, the circumstances of the person concerned were reinvestigated by a local social welfare officer. An interim report received stated that she was in the process of having her son registered as the full owner of the holding. The officer when contacted stated that she has recently received a copy of the deed of assent and will be forwarding her report within the next few days. When the report is received a decision will be given in the case and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
87.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will approve the application for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £45.75 weekly, derived from the value of capital. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and on 31 December 1985 an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £45.75. He was informed of the decision on 10 January 1986.
He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £12.60 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £58.35 less means of £45.75. It is open to the person concerned to apply for a review of his means if he so wishes. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
88.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will now approve an application for disability benefit from a person (details supplied) whose case is on appeal with her Department since October 1985.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 2 November 1985, after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 4 April 1986. His entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
89.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if her Department will now approve an unemployment assistance appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Laois as she has submitted positive evidence of her availability for employment.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for employment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 3 September 1985 to 22 October 1985 but her claim was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for employment.
She appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of her case on 6 November 1985, an appeals officer also decided that she was not available for employment. She was notified of this decision on 8 November 1985. The person concerned made a further claim for unemployment benefit on 3 March 1986 and inquiries are being made to establish if she now satisfies the required conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit. When these inquiries are completed her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined without delay.
90.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the old age pension of a person (details supplied) in County Longford has been cut so severely; and if she will initiate a complete review of the facts in this case.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of an old age pension at the weekly rate of £42. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means consisting of the weekly share in a holding. If the person concerned feels that his circumstances have changed since the date of the last review in 1981, he should notify the Department to that effect and his case will be reinvestigated.
91.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is unemployed since 31 January 1986, and who is now suffering hardship as a result of the delay.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 4 February 1986 and following the completion of inquiries regarding her marital status her claim was allowed from that date at the weekly rate of £39.50, which is the maximum flat rate of benefit appropriate in this case.
All arrears due were included in the payment for week-ending 12 March 1986. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due. Inquiries, which it is anticipated will be completed shortly, are being made at present to ascertain whether the person concerned may also be entitled to pay-related benefit.
92.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will ensure the early and regular payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been on disability benefit since 1 February 1986 and who has so far received only £62 as he is soon to enter hospital for a serious operation.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 3 February 1986 and all benefit payable, at the weekly rate of £39.50, has been issued to 3 March 1986 the date of the latest medical certificate received. Pay-related benefit, at the weekly rate of £36.96, has also been issued. Payment will continue to be issued to him on receipt of medical evidence of his incapacity for work.
93.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to have the maximum rate of unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with nil means, effective from 2 March 1986, the date of claim. He is, accordingly, entitled to and is in receipt of, unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum rate of £33.80 weekly.
94.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when it is expected an appeal will be heard in respect of the application by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for disability benefit.
An appeals officer decided that the person concerned was not incapable of work within the meaning of the Social Welfare Acts during the period from 22 November 1984 to 13 May 1985 (the date of the latest medical certificate before him at that time) and is not entitled to be paid disability benefit in respect of that period. An appeals officer's decision is final and may only be altered in the light of new facts or fresh evidence.
The person concerned continued to submit medical certificates and his claim from 14 May 1985 was disallowed pending a further examination by a different medical referee. This examination took place on 16 January 1986 and he was again considered to be capable of work. His case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of his claim as soon as possible.
95.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the payment of an outstanding amount of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 18 October 1985 in respect of an incapacity from an accident at work on that date.
Pending investigations, he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis. Following completion of the investigations he was awarded injury benefit at the rate appropriate to a married man with one dependant child from the date of the accident. Injury benefit over and above the amounts of disability benefit already paid was issued on 15 November and injury benefit was paid to 25 January 1986, after which he was certified fit to resume work.
All benefit including pay-related benefit from 9 November 1985, the nine-teenth day of incapacity, appears to have been paid without delay on receipt of the medical evidence.
96.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will authorise the payment of arrears to a person (details supplied) in County Galway whose unemployment assistance was reduced from £65 to £20 and then restored to £42 as he was entitled to the full payment of at least £42 during the period of investigation.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim for 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.
97.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will make immediate arrangements for the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has now finished an AnCO course and who is unable to find employment.
The person concerned reapplied for unemployment assistance on 3 March 1986 and his claim was put into payment on the basis of a qualification certificate showing means of £76.90, which was issued to him in connection with an earlier claim. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £47.95 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case, of £124.85 less means of £76.90.
If he considers that his means have changed since the last investigation it is open to him to apply to have them reviewed. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local employment office. Payments to the person concerned commenced on 11 March 1986 and further weekly payments of £47.95 will continue to be made as they become due.