asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in dealing with the disability benefit appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
135.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 8 December 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 of benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 1 February 1986 who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
His appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of his claim as soon as possible. It is not yet possible to give a specific date for the hearing due to the volume of appeals on hand. However the person concerned will be notified as soon as the final arrangements have been completed.
136.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be paid unemployment assistance.
The person concerned has been in continuous receipt of unemployment assistance since March 1985. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £2.95 being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75, less means of £28.80 derived from the letting of land and from benefit of board and lodgings in his brother's holding.
If the person concerned considers that his means have changed since the last investigation it is open to him to apply for a review of his case. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local employment office. In the meantime, further weekly payments of £2.95 will continue to be made as they become due.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, who is awaiting same for a considerable period; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned reapplied for unemployment assistance from 19 December 1985 and was paid on the basis of a qualification certificate held by him since 1984 in connection with a previous claim showing means of £25. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £8.80 being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80, less means of £25 derived from profit from his holding.
His papers were referred to a social welfare officer for a review of his means on 7 May 1985. The investigations were recently completed and his case is being referred to a deciding officer for assessment of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the assessment.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 8 January 1986. However, the original claim was lost in postal transit from the local office to the social welfare officer. Duplicate papers were recently completed and were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of the claimant's means.
When these inquiries are completed his case will be submitted to a deciding officer for an assessment of means and the person concerned will be informed of the decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance as quickly as possible.
The delay in this case is regretted and every effort is being made to ensure that the claim will now be processed as a matter or urgency. It is understood that the person concerned is at present in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free telephone rental allowance cannot be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
An application for a free telephone rental allowance from the husband of the person concerned was received in the Department on 16 May 1986. As the medical evidence submitted in support of the claim is insufficient to enable a decision to be given in the case, he has been requested to furnish more comprehensive medical evidence. On receipt of the required medical certificate in the Department, an early decision will be given in the case and the applicant will be notified of the outcome.
140.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrangements will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal to be called before a medical referee with a view to reinstatement of disability benefit payments.
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 she was capable of work.
She appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have her examined by a different medical referee as soon as possible. Her entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
141.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
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 24 October 1985 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred again for a further examination in six months.
A deciding officer decided that the person concerned was not entitled to invalidity pension. He appealed against this decision and was re-examined by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work.
The case of the person concerned was then referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer upheld the decision of the deciding officer that he was not entitled to invalidity pension. The appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive and can only be altered in the light of new facts or fresh evidence.