asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 was refused fuel vouchers.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
183.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the national fuel scheme in the Dublin area, that the application of the person concerned was refused as she is not in a category of person with eligibility under the scheme. Under the regulations governing the scheme a person in receipt of one of the long term social welfare or analogous payments specified in the regulations who is living alone or only with certain excepted persons may be eligible for a fuel allowance. The person concerned is not in receipt of any of the specified payments. She has appealed against the board's decision and will be advised of the appeals officer's decision as soon as possible.
184.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused optical benefit as she is elderly and paying PRSI.
One of the conditions for receipt of optical benefit requires persons over pension age to have had at least 26 reckonable contributions paid or credited in either of the last two contribution years before reaching pension age.
The person concerned claimed optical benefit on 4 March 1986. According to the Department's records she reached pension age in October 1976 and had no contributions paid or credited in either of the years (July-June) in 1974-5 or 1975-6 which governed her claim. She was not, therefore, qualified for optical benefit on her insurance record and she was informed of the position on 12 March 1986.
PRSI contributions at Class K are at present being paid on behalf of the person concerned in respect of an occupational pension from her late husband's employers. Contributions at Class K however give entitlement only to benefits under the Health Acts and are not reckonable for optical benefit purposes under the Social Welfare Acts.
185.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the claim for unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan.
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 4 November 1985 and his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.
The inquiries, which were necessarily extensive, were completed recently and he was assessed with means of £17.65 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging on his father's holding.
He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £14.10 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75 less means of £17.65.
Arrangements have been made with the local office to pay all arrears due to the person concerned this week. Weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
186.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on a disability benefit appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 14 December 1985 after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance of benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 11 February 1986 who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
Her appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of her claim as soon as possible.
187.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was made redundant on 14 February 1986; when she can expect to receive payment; and if the difficulties she is experiencing in the matter are usual.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the statutory condition that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking employment.
Whether a person is available for and genuinely seeking employment is a question which is decided by deciding officers and appeals officers. The criteria which they use are broadly whether a genuine desire and intention to obtain work is present, whether commitments exist which might limit the person's freedom to accept, or might prevent acceptance of, full time employment which would normally be suitable and whether restrictions are being imposed by the person on the kind, place or hours of employment, any of which would unreasonably diminish the persons prospects of obtaining work. The decision as to whether a person is available for and genuinely seeking work is made through the interpretation and application of any or all of these broad criteria in the light of, and in relation to, the whole facts and evidence in that case.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 19 February 1986 but her claim was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for and genuinely seeking employment. She appealed against the disallowance and her case has been submitted to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity.
She has not been in touch with her local office since 20 March 1986 when she last signed as unemployed. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit for the period 19 February 1986 to 20 March 1986 will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
188.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for telephone rental which has been made on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
To qualify for a free telephone rental allowance a person in receipt of a qualifying pension 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 person concerned made an application for the allowance in October 1985. As he lives with his wife he was asked at that time to supply medical evidence to show that she is incapacitated as required by the scheme. To date this has not been received and a further request has been issued to the person concerned.
On receipt of the required medical evidence his application will be considered and he will be notified of the outcome.
189.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied in 1985 but has not yet received a decision.
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 claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means. Following the completion of extensive inquiries the papers were referred to a deciding officer for determination of means. However the deciding officer required further information regarding capital before deciding the case and this necessitated the return of the papers to the social welfare officer.
When the investigation, which will be completed as soon as possible, is finalised the means of the person concerned will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
190.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an oral appeal hearing will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford further to an unemployment assistance claim which was refused; and the reason for the refusal as all information requested was provided.
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 self-employment as a handyman.
He appealed against the disallowance and the papers were returned to the social welfare officer to afford him another opportunity to co-operate in the disclosure of his means but he again failed to provide particulars of his self-employment and his case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer, who determined the case summarily, disallowed the application on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means the person concerned failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit.
He was notified of the appeals officer's decision on 5 March 1986.
191.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the application for unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be completed; and whether he can expect to receive payment within the next couple of weeks.
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 and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means. The social welfare officer requested the person concerned to furnish certain information regarding his capital, and when the information is supplied the papers will be submitted to a deciding officer for determination of means. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be decided in the light of the outcome. It is understood that the person concerned is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
192.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of unemployment assistance was discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 3 March 1986. He ceased signing as unemployed from 4 March 1986 to 17 March 1986. It appears from the records of this case that the person reapplied for unemployment assistance on 18 March 1986 but the application was ineffective as he failed to sign the unemployed register again until 27 March 1986. Accordingly, payment could only be made from 27 March 1986 onwards. He will be interviewed on his next attendance at the local office and the reasons for his non-attendance in the intervening period will be investigated.
The person concerned is entitled to unemployment assistance at £32.95 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £34.95 less means of £2. He was paid in respect of the five days due to him on 3 April 1986 and weekly payments of £32.95 will be made as they become due.
193.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give a decision in relation to an appeal for restoration of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
In November 1985, an appeals officer, following an oral hearing of the case, assessed the means of the person concerned at £34.85 weekly, derived from benefit from a holding. He was notified of the appeals officer's decision on 26 November 1985.
He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £57.50 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £92.35 less means of £34.85. If the person concerned considers that his circumstances have changed since the last investigation it is open to him to apply for a review of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local employment office.
Further weekly payments of £57.50 will continue to be made as they become due.
194.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will establish the eligibility for unemployment benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
Following a review, 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 recently appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal, his papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
When these inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
195.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will expedite payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 28 January 1986. Following inquiries, his claim was disallowed by a deciding officer for a period of six weeks from his last date of employment on 25 January 1986, on the grounds that he had voluntarily left his employment without good cause.
He appealed against the disallowance and the appeals officer allowed his appeal. All arrears due, arising from the appeals officer's decision, were paid to the person concerned on 12 March 1986 and further weekly payments of £61.81, comprised of flat rate unemployment benefit of £39.50 and pay-related benefit of £22.31, will continue to be made as they become due.
196.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the result of the appeal of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 for a fuel allowance will be available.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the national fuel scheme in the Dublin area, that the application of the person concerned was refused as she is not in a category of persons with eligibility under the scheme. Under the regulations governing the scheme a person in receipt of one of the long term social welfare or analogous payments specified in the regulations who is living alone or only with certain excepted persons may be eligible for a fuel allowance. The person concerned is not in receipt of any of the specified payments. There is no trace of an appeal against the board's decision having been received from the applicant.
197.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give a breakdown of the means assessed against a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and when the results of her appeal against the amount awarded will be available.
In accordance with the provisions of the legislation governing the unemployment assistance scheme, the value of any benefit or privilege derived by an applicant from any source must be taken into account in the assessment of means.
In June 1985 an appeals officer assessed the means of the person concerned at £21.65 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings in her parents' home. Her unemployment assistance claim was rerated accordingly and she was paid all arrears due. However it is regretted that it was omitted to issue her with the appropriate form showing the result of the appeals officer's decision. The matter has now been rectified and she has been notified of the result of her appeal and issued with an explanation of the decision.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £11.10 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in her case of £32.75 less means of £21.65. Further weekly payments are continuing to be made as they become due.
98.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will make an early decision on the unemployment assistance appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Laois as the family have no alternative income.
An oral hearing of the unemployment assistance appeal of the person concerned was arranged for the 7 April 1986. The applicant will be informed of the outcome of the appeal and of the decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance as quickly as possible.
199.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be reinstated for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford further to his appeal some months ago; the present position of this appeal; and the reason he was disallowed unemployment assistance.
Following a review, 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 disclose particulars of his home circumstances. He appealed against the disallowance and his papers were returned to the social welfare officer to afford him another opportunity to co-operate in the disclosure of his means.
When the inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, the case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means and the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome.
200.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford on an appeal basis; and if she will ensure that all the facts of this case be considered in the determining of a proper rate of payment for him.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 9 January 1986 and, pending an investigation of his means by a social welfare officer, his claim was put into payment immediately, as he had a qualification certificate which had been issued to him in connection with an earlier claim, and which recorded his means as £33 weekly. He was, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at 80p weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80 less means of £33.
The social welfare officer recently completed his inquiries and reported that the person concerned had not fully disclosed his means. A deciding officer disallowed the claim on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means, the person concerned has failed to show that his means do not exceed the statutory limit. The person concerned has been notified of the disallowance, and of his right to appeal against it. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
201.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be awarded an invalidity pension as he completed application forms nearly a month ago.
Invalidity pension has been awarded from 26 September 1985. A pension book payable from 24 April 1986 will be issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 26 September 1985 to 23 April 1986, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period, will be paid by payable order.
202.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is currently in receipt of a reduced invalidity pension as his children are still receiving full time education.
The current rate of invalidity pension in payment to the person concerned is £85.15 per week, that is the rate appropriate to a married man who has one qualified child. A qualified child is a child under the age of 18 years who is normally residing with the pensioner. The elder son of the person concerned attained that age on 8 March 1986 and an increase in invalidity pension was no longer payable in respect of him after 13 March 1986, that is, the Thursday following his 18th birthday, when he ceased to be a qualified child for invalidity pension purposes.
203.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Galway is entitled to payment of disability benefit; and, if so, if she will arrange to pay any arrears due as soon as possible.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 June 1985. He submitted only one medical certificate indicating that he was incapable of work. Further medical evidence is necessary to establish the duration of incapacity before any payment can be made. He subsequently submitted another claim for disability benefit and indicated that he was incapable of work from 27 July 1985 but again, submitted no further medical evidence. He made a further claim to disability benefit from 4 November 1985 and all benefit payable in respect of this claim was issued to 9 November 1985, the day before he was certified fit to resume work.
He was requested on 20 December 1985 and again on 26 March 1986, to submit medical evidence together with a statement from his employer covering the entire period of his incapacity in respect of the two previous claims. When this information comes to hand his claim will be dealt with without delay.
204.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the result of the inquiry to investigate eligibility for social welfare benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have a total of at least 26 contributions paid and at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year, at a class which provides cover against unemployment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 20 March 1985. She furnished forms P60 and P45 showing her 1983-84 and 1984-85 insurance contribution records as 28 J1 contributions and 51 J1 contributions respectively. However, as this class of contribution does not provide cover against unemployment she did not satisfy the conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit and accordingly her claim was disallowed.
She appealed against the disallowance on the ground that in her view the employment was insurable at an appropriate class to provide cover against unemployment.
Extensive inquiries into the case, have recently been completed and arrangements are being made to refer the papers to an appeal officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity.
205.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 is not eligible for disability benefit despite the fact that she has been paying full stamps since 1980.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 December 1985 to 1 January 1986. 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 contribution year 1983-84 which governed her claim. She has however, been requested to furnish details of any further contributions for the 1983-84 year.
The person concerned made a further claim for disability benefit from 8 February 1986. She was entitled to benefit on this claim as she had 52 contributions recorded in the contribution year 1984-85 which governed this claim. All benefit payable to 8 March 1986, after which date she was certified as fit to resume work, has been issued.
206.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a disability benefit appeal before another referee will be arranged on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 1 March 1986, 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. It has not yet been possible to set a date for this examination but it will take place as soon as possible. His entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
207.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the occupational injuries claim lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 January 1985 and is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £34.70 the maximum rate appropriate to a married woman. There was a delay caused by an administrative error in issuing payment for the period from 13 January 1986 to 7 March 1986. All disability benefit payable has been issued to 24 March 1986 the date of the latest medical certificate received.
208.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made regarding unemployment benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit up to 8 October 1985, when she had drawn her maximum entitlement of 312 days benefit. To requalify for unemployment benefit she requires at least a further 13 weeks contributions paid at the appropriate class providing cover against unemployment. Weeks of employment since the date on which she received 156 days of unemployment benefit may count for this purpose. The person concerned again claimed unemployment benefit on 2 December 1985. Inquiries are being made to establish whether her employment after the 156th day of benefit was appropriate to a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment. These inquiries, which are continuing, will be completed as soon as possible and her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be considered in the light of the outcome.
209.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been cancelled in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit from 25 February 1985 to 25 February 1986 when his claim was reviewed for the purpose of ascertaining that he satisfied the required conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit. In the course of an interview with a social welfare officer on 4 March 1986 the person concerned admitted that he had been employed on casual days during the course of his unemployment benefit claim. Inquiries have not yet been completed to establish the exact dates of his employment. When these inquiries have been completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit during the period February 1985 to 4 March 1986 will be reviewed. Payment of unemployment benefit has been restored from 5 March 1986 at the weekly rate of £73.85 which is the appropriate rate payable in his case.
210.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 15 March 1986 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was informed of the disallowance together with his right to appeal on both 11 March and 21 March 1986 but to date has not indicated that he wishes to appeal against the disallowance.
211.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who has been signing on since 13 January; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must have at least 26 contributions paid at a class which provides cover against unemployment. According to the Department's records the person concerned entered insurable employment on 3 July 1985 and has only 12 contributions at the appropriate class paid on her behalf up to the date she claimed unemployment benefit, on 15 January 1986. However, inquiries are being made to establish whether her employment for the period 19 September 1985 to 11 January 1986 was insurable at a contribution class providing cover against unemployment. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the outcome of this investigation, which will be concluded as soon as possible.
212.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
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 person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 30 September 1985 and, as according to the Department's records she had only six contributions paid during the period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed entitlement to unemployment benefit from 30 September 1985, her claim was disallowed.
A new benefit year commenced on 6 January 1986 but according to the Department's records she had only 12 contributions paid during the governing contribution period 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985 and consequently did not qualify for payment of unemployment benefit from 6 January 1986. The person concerned stated that she was employed during the governing periods and the matter of the apparent non-payment of contributions by her former employer is being investigated by a social welfare officer at present. When these inquiries, which are extensive, are completed her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed.
213.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a death grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and, if so, when.
There was no trace of a claim having been received in this case. A claim form issued on the 21 March 1986 and to date has not been returned. When it is returned it will receive prompt attention.
214.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free electricity allowance has been withdrawn from persons (details supplied) in County Galway.
To be eligible for a free electricity allowance a person must be either living alone or be living with certain categories of persons only. The free electricity allowance which applied to the account of the person concerned was terminated as from the information available his daughter was residing with him and she ceased to be a person who came within the excepted categories for satisfying the "living alone" condition of the scheme when she reached 18 years of age. In the light of the information supplied by the Deputy further inquiries are being made. When these are completed the pensioners entitlement to the allowance will be determined and he will be notified of the outcome.
215.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be sanctioned for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
There is no record in the Department or in the District ESB office of an application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned. An application form was therefore issued to her on 2 April 1986. 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.
216.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the low rate of unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £20.55 weekly, derived from a British pension. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £12.20 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £32.75 less means of £20.55. He recently appealed against the means assessment and arrangements are being made to refer his case to an appeals officer for determination of means. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned will be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
Question No. 217 withdrawn.
218.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused unemployment benefit and if she can be given an oral hearing.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for employment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 21 October 1985 but following the completion of inquiries, 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, an appeals officer also decided that she was not available for employment, from 21 October 1985. The person concerned, who ceased to sign the unemployed register after 11 March 1986, was notified of this decision on 12 March 1986.
219.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give a detailed analysis of the income assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Galway whose unemployment assistance application was refused; how this figure was arrived at; and if she accepts that because of a serious slump in his business he has not worked for the last six weeks and is, therefore, entitled to unemployment assistance.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from self-employment, and income from the letting of land, exceeded the statutory limit. In accordance with the provisions of the legislation governing the unemployment assistance scheme, the income from self-employment of the person concerned, in the absence of other means for ascertaining it, was taken to be the income received during the year immediately preceding the date of calculation. This was deemed to be £5,200. In addition the person concerned had, in 1985, an income of £725 from the letting of land.
The income of the applicant was accordingly calculated at £5,925 per annum and as this exceeded the statutory limit, in his case in his claim was disallowed. He appealed against this disallowance on 25 March 1986 and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal his papers have been returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
220.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will make a statement on the present position in relation to the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin and in view of the finding that he continues to be unfit for work, if he can be paid the appropriate amount for the period during which he was disqualified allowing for the weekly deductions, as arranged, on any moneys owing by him on account to her Department.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed for the statutory period of six weeks from 29 January 1986 as he failed to attend for examination by a medical referee of the Department on that date. His explanation for failure to attend for examination was not accepted and he was referred for a further examination. As he was found incapable of work at this examination, it has been decided to waive the disallowance of six weeks from 29 January 1986.
All disability benefit payable to 8 April 1986 has now been issued to him, less £693.70 refunded to the Eastern Health Board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, and less £75 withheld in respect of an overpayment of £717.39. Weekly deductions of £7.50 will continue to be made from the benefit of the person concerned to recover this overpayment.
221.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 has not received unemployment assistance since 3 January 1986; and the payments, if any, which are due to him.
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.
222.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of disability benefit was discontinued to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 as she is still attending hospital.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 23 January 1986 after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who considered her to be capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee on 18 March 1986, who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
She was informed of the result of this examination and was supplied with a form on which to set out the grounds for appeal if she wished to have her case referred to an appeals officer for determination. Her case will be reviewed on receipt of this form.
223.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and the reason for the delay.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the maximum weekly rate of £66.10 from 1 November 1985 which includes £22.10 in respect of an adult dependant. The appropriate pension book payable from 3 January 1986 issued on 20 March 1986. A payable order for £644.50 covering arrears of pension due for the period 1 November 1985 to 2 January 1986 issued on 27 March 1986. The reason for the delay is pressure of work at the social welfare station concerned.
224.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid disability benefit.
There is no trace in the records of the Department of a claim to disability benefit from the person concerned. However, it appears that she is not qualified for payment of disability benefit as according to the records of the Department contributions have been paid on her behalf at class B rate which are not reckonable for disability benefit.
225.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork only received £75 and not £120 under the winter fuel scheme.
It is understood from the Southern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the national fuel scheme in County Cork, that after a review of the circumstances of the person concerned it has been decided by the appeals officer that he is entitled to an allowance under the 1985-86 national fuel scheme at the maximum rate of £150. A cheque for £75 covering the balance due to the person concerned is in course of issue. Any inconvenience caused is regretted.