asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of an old age pension has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
61.
The person concerned was awarded an old age contributory pension at the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 41 reckonable contributions with effect from 30 May 1986 i.e. the Friday following his 66th birthday. His yearly average was calculated on the basis of his total of 1,369 contributions in the relevant period which, in his case, is the 33 year period from 5 January 1953 to 5 April 1986. A yearly average of at least 48 is required to qualify for the pension at the maximum rate. In accordance with the regulations a person's yearly average is determined on the basis of his contribution record over the period from the beginning of the 1953 contribution year or from his year of entry into insurance, whichever is the later, to the end of the last complete contribution year before he reaches pension age.
An old age contributory pension book containing orders payable from 30 May 1986 was issued to the designated post office on 20 May 1986 for collection by him and he was notified accordingly.
62.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of his most recent appeal for increased payments.
Following reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £58.45 weekly, derived from self-employment. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £28.30 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £86.75, less means of £58.45.
The person concerned did not appeal against the means assessment but he did request a review of his case recently. His case has been referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of his means. His inquiries will be completed as soon as possible and the case will then be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means. His unemployment assistance entitlement will be reviewed in the light of this assessment.
63.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded unemployment assistance; and if so, when and the rate.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on a claimant being the holder of a qualification certificate and to obtain a qualification certificate a person must satisfy certain conditions including an assessment of means.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 28 April 1986 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. The social welfare officer is awaiting details of the claimant's bank account and when these are furnished he will complete his report. Papers will then be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means as quickly as possible.
The unemployment assistance entitlement of the person concerned will be determined in the light of the means assessment.
64.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 22 May 1986 after he had drawn his maximum entitlement of 390 days unemployment benefit. He is being paid unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £92.35 weekly on the basis of a qualification certificate issued in conjunction with a previous claim in 1978 showing nil means.
His papers were recently referred to a social welfare officer for an up-to-date report of his means and when the inquiries in the matter are completed his case will be submitted to a deciding officer for re-assessment of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the means assessment. In the meantime, further weekly payments of £92.35 will continue to be made as they become due.
65.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 April 1985. Payment of benefit was not authorised from that date as there were only 23 contributions recorded on his behalf in the 1983-84 year which governed his claim. However, from 6 January 1986, his entitlement to benefit was based on his insurance record in the 1984-85 year. As he has a total of 49 contributions recorded on his behalf in this year, he qualified for payment of benefit at the maximum rate.
Due to an administrative error, payment did not issue to the person concerned in respect of his wife, for the period from 6 January 1986 to 10 March 1986. However, all arrears payable in respect of this period have now been issued, less £55 refunded to the Mid Western Health Board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced.
Benefit is now issuing at the weekly rate of £65.10, the maximum rate payable to a married man. All benefit payable has now been issued up to 14 June 1986.
66.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £67.65 weekly, derived from self-employment. As the means exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case, his claim was disallowed.
He recently appealed against the disallowance of his claim and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal, his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries will be completed as soon as possible and his case will then be referred to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons (details supplied) in County Clare have not received the family income supplement which they applied for some time ago.
A claim for family income supplement was received from the persons concerned on 13 May 1986. The claim was disallowed on the grounds that the gross weekly family income as stated on the application form exceeds £160, the maximum amount for entitlement to a supplement in the case of a family with four children. The claimants were notified of the decision and the reason therefore on 5 June 1986.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in the unemployment assistance claim of a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Following a review of his unemployment assistance claim in January 1985, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £41.75 weekly, derived from benefit from his wife's earnings. However, due to an oversight, the revised means were not put into effect until 21 May 1986 after the error was discovered.
The person concerned had been paid unemployment assistance up to 29 May 1986 on the basis of a qualification certificate previously held by him showing means of 30p weekly and he was, accordingly, in receipt of £99.75 weekly, that is the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £100.05 less means of 30p. His correct rate of unemployment assistance is £58.30 weekly, that is £100.05 less means of £41.75.
If the person concerned is of the opinion that his circumstances have changed since the last investigation of means it is open to him to apply for a review of his case. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office. In the meantime, further weekly payments of £58.30 will continue to be made as they become due.
69.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will expedite unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on the claimant being the holder of a qualification certificate and in order to obtain a qualification certificate a person must satisfy certain conditions including an assessment of means.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned from 14 January 1986 was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means. Her inquiries, which proved extensive, have now been completed and arrangements are being made to submit the case to a deciding officer for assessment of means, as quickly as possible. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessment.
70.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited as the appropriate rate in the contribution year governing the claim.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 5 May 1986. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she had insufficient contributions paid or credited during the contribution year 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985 which governed her entitlement to unemployment benefit from 5 May 1986.
She then claimed unemployment assistance and her case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of her means. This investigation will be completed as soon as possible and her case will then be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means. Her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessment. The person concerned ceased to sign the unemployed register with effect from 29 May 1986.