asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
53.
Invalidity pension has been awarded from 13 March 1986. A pension book payable from 24 July 1986 will be issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 13 March 1986 to 23 July 1986, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period, will be paid by payable order.
54.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is not receiving the amount of pay-related benefit to which she is entitled, and which was paid to her when she was receiving maternity benefit.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the weekly sum of pay-related benefit, flat rate unemployment benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of the net average weekly earnings of a claimant.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 1 April 1986. She was paid at the weekly flat rate of £34.70 being the appropriate rate payable in her case. Her entitlement was increased to £39.50 weekly from 15 May 1986 in accordance with the equality provisions implemented with effect from that date.
The 85 per cent limit for pay-related benefit purposes applicable on her claim was calculated at £22.76. This limit was based on a combination of earnings, disability benefit and maternity benefit received by the claimant in the period 6 April 1985 to 31 March 1986. As the weekly flat rate unemployment benefit in her case exceeds this figure she is not entitled to pay-related, benefit.
In accordance with the provisions of the general maternity benefit scheme there is no 85 per cent limit applicable to claims for maternity benefit. Accordingly, the person concerned while claiming maternity benefit was paid at the weekly flat rate of £39.50 and in addition she was entitled to pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £14.76.
55.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the invalidity pension appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to the person concerned and on its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
56.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the inordinate delay in the payment of unemployment benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been signing for unemployment benefit for the past 16 weeks and as yet has received no payment or explanation in respect of her claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 7 March 1986. Inquiries had to be made to establish why her previous employment terminated and also whether she was available for employment. These inquiries, which were protracted, were recently completed and her claim to unemployment benefit was allowed at the weekly flat rate of £33.65. Her entitlement was increased to £38.05 weekly with effect from 15 May 1986 in accordance with the equality provisions implemented from that date.
The person concerned is a postal claimant and a voucher for encashment at her local post office paying arrears of benefit due to her was issued on 4 June 1986. at the weekly rate of £6.71 and arrears due being issued to her this week. Combined weekly payments of £38.05 flat rate unemployment benefit together with £6.71 pay-related benefit will continue to be made as they become due.
57.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
An application for a free telephone rental allowance from the person concerned has been approved and he has been notified accordingly. Telecom Éireann has been advised of the decision and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which he is provided with telephone service.
58.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who applied for unemployment assistance in December 1985; the outcome of her application; and the reason it has taken since December 1985 to have a decision taken on this application.
Following an investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £36 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parents' holding. The means, accordingly, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case and his claim was disallowed. He was notified of this decision in February 1986.
He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and the appeals officer also assessed his means at £36 weekly. The person concerned was notified of the appeals officer's decision on 16 April 1986. He ceased to sign the unemployed register with effect from 21 May 1986.