asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the correct rate of disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford for the first three weeks of his entitlement; and if he will have payment adjusted to the correct amount.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
94.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 April 1986. Payment issued at the maximum single rate of benefit, £39.50 per week until 8 May 1986 when the completed claim from was received. His rate was then increased to £93.70, the maximum amount payable to a married man with three dependent children.
A claim for recoupment of £291 supplementary welfare allowance advanced to the person concerned was received from the South Eastern Health Board. £137.93 was recovered from the arrears due to the person concerned and the balance of £153.07 is being recovered by weekly deductions of £11.35 from his current claim.
All benefit payable to 6 June 1986, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued to the person concerned.
95.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
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 from 6 August 1985 and, according to the Department's records, she had no contributions paid or credited during the contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed her entitlement to unemployment benefit from that date. Her claim was, therefore, disallowed and she was notified accordingly. She ceased to sign the unemployed register from 10 September 1985.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit under the general scheme from 17 April 1986 in respect of her confinement expected on 5 May 1986. The Department's records indicated that she had insufficient contributions paid or credited in respect of the contribution periods April 1984 to April 1985 and from April 1985 to April 1986, the contribution years which governed her claim. Her claim for maternity benefit was, therefore, disallowed and she was notified of this decision on 9 May 1986.
96.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give details of the means as assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for unemployment assistance; and if she will have this application specially reconsidered as a matter of extreme urgency, in view of the fact that she believes that she is entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum rate having regard to family and household circumstances.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned in August 1985 she was assessed with means of £15 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings in her parents' home.
The means in this case were calculated by taking the net weekly earnings of her father of £147.71 and deducting from it the standard parental allowance of £90 and travelling expenses of £12.70. The balance of £45.01 was apportioned among the three non-earning members of the household with the result that the claimant was assessed with means of £15 weekly. She is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £16.75 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in her case of £31.75, less means of £15.
If the person concerned considers that her circumstances have changed since the last investigation of means, it is open to her to apply for a review of her case. A form for this purpose may be obtained from her local office.
97.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and the cause of the long delay in deciding this application.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited, at a class providing cover against unemployment in the contribution year governing the claim.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 14 April 1986 and her entitlement to benefit from that date is governed by her contribution record during the contribution period 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985. Although she had been employed in that period inquiries are being made to ascertain whether a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment was appropriate to her employment as she had been working on a part time basis. These investigations will be completed as soon as possible and her entitlement to unemployment benefit will then be decided.
The person concerned is being advised to claim unemployment assistance pending the outcome of a decision on her unemployment benefit claim. In the meantime if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet her needs it is open to her to claim supplementary welfare allowance from the health board by contracting her local community welfare officer.
98.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give details of means assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Galway whose unemployment assistance has been reduced.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed, with effect from 28 May 1986, with means of £10.30 weekly, derived from the benefit from his wife's earnings.
The means in this case were calculated by taking the net weekly earnings of the wife of £57.30 and deducting from it the standard allowance of £45 and rent payable of £2. The balance of £10.30 was assessed against the claimant as means. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £82.05 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £92.35 less means of £10.30.
If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him, it is open to him to appeal and have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
99.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will explain the reason for the delay in the payment of the arrears of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork, and if she will now have the matter expedited.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on a claimant being the holder of a qualification certificate and in order to obtain a qualification certificate a claimant must satisfy certain conditions including an assessment of means.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 29 December 1985 and his papers were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means. The investigations are taking somewhat longer than normal in this case as the social welfare officer is awaiting a statement from the valuation office regarding the capital value of land owned by the claimant. However, it is expected that the relevant statement will be furnished shortly. The social welfare officer will then complete his report and the case will be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means.
100.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the immediate reinstatement of a free electricity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal from whom this allowance was withdrawn in error.
The ESB has been instructed to reapply the free electricity allowance to the account of the person concerned with effect from 1 February 1986, the date from which it was terminated. The allowance had been terminated for a period in the mistaken belief that the person no longer resided at his given address. It has now been ascertained that he resided at the address throughout the period in question. The pensioner has been notified accordingly. Any inconvenience caused to him is regretted.