asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of unemployment assistance payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
142.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on the condition that the claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking work. Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 8 October 1985 on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work. He appealed against the disallowance and in February 1986 the appeals officer allowed his claim with effect from 9 December 1985. He was, accordingly, entitled to payment at the maximum long term rate appropriate in his case of £92.35. However due to a clerical error he was incorrectly paid at the short term rate of £86.75.
Arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned for the period 9 December 1985 to 4 February 1986 of £722.92 were paid to the health board in lieu of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him pending the outcome of his appeal. Additional arrears of £90.25 now due as a result of the clerical error will be paid to him this week. Further weekly payments of £92.35 will continue to be made as they become due.
143.
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 appeal; and when this will be finalised.
Following a review of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he has been assessed with nil means with effect from 14 January 1986. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case of £92.35.
Arrears of unemployment assistance due from 14 January 1986, less a refund to the health board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced pending the outcome of his claim, will be issued to him this week. Further weekly payments of £92.35 will continue to be made as they become due.
144.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will expedite the maximum rate of payment to him.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit up to 20 December 1985 when he had drawn his maximum entitlement of 390 days benefit. In order to requalify for payment of benefit, he would be required to have a further 13 contributions paid in respect of insurable employment. Contributions paid after drawing 156 days benefit on a claim are counted for this purpose. He did not satisfy this condition for entitlement to benefit from 21 December 1985. He was, however, paid unemployment assistance from 21 December 1985 to 11 March 1986 after which date he ceased to sign the unemployed register.
He claimed unemployment benefit from 12 May 1986. Inquiries had to be made to ascertain if he had the necessary number of contributions to requalify for benefit. When he furnished the relevant documentary evidence it was established that he had the necessary 13 contributions paid since drawing 156 days benefit in order to requalify for payment of benefit. In addition to being employed for the period from 10 March 1986 to 9 May 1986, he had also been employed for periods during August and September 1985.
Accordingly, his claim was allowed at £93.70 weekly, being the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with three child dependants. All arrears due were issued to him last week. As he has insufficient earnings in the relevant income tax year, he is not entitled to pay-related benefit. Weekly payments of £93.70 will continue to be made as they become due.
145.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be considered for an invalidity pension by sending him an application form, in view of the fact he will be unable to work again.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. Arrangements are being made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee on 3 July 1986. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
146.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the figure for represented earnings for the year 1985-86 of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick represents his full entitlement to pay-related benefit for the current financial year.
Pay-related benefit, which is payable in addition to flat rate unemployment benefit, is calculated on the basis of reckonable earnings in the income tax year which governs the claim, that is, the last complete income tax year before the benefit year in which the claim for unemployment benefit commenced. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 24 March 1986 and his claim was allowed at the weekly flat rate of £65.10 being the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with an adult dependant.
His entitlement to pay-related benefit is based on his earnings in the income tax year from 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985. His earnings in that period were £7,277 and accordingly, he is entitled to payment of pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £24.13 with effect from 14 April 1986. His combined weekly payment of flat rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit, therefore, amounts to £89.23. Further payments at this rate will continue as they become due.
147.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for an increase in the unemployment assistance payments of a person (details supplied) in County Laois, due to a change in his circumstances.
Following an investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assesed at £17.05 weekly, derived from the value of capital. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £16.75 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80, less means of £17.05.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him on 8 May 1986. However, the relevant papers were lost in postal transit from Athlone employment exchange to Dublin. Arrangements have been made for the completion of duplicate papers and when these are completed his case will be submitted 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. The delay which occurred in this case is regretted.
148.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; when this money will be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on a claimant 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 from 27 February 1986 and her papers were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means. These inquiries have now been completed and her case is being submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means as quickly as possible. Her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessment.
While every effort is being made to process all claims received in the Department with the minimum of delay, nevertheless, due to the large volume of claims received there is an inevitable delay in some cases. Delays are more likely to arise where means testing is involved, as in the case of unemployment assistance. In such cases a social welfare officer must visit the claimant's home to investigate the means. The delay in processing the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned is regretted.
149.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the refusal to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed with means of £56.60 weekly, derived from a retirement pension, the value of capital and from the benefit from his wife's pension. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £3.55 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £60.15 less means of £56.60.
The person concerned was issued with a form on which to appeal on 11 June 1986 and when the completed form is returned to his local office his case will be submitted 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.
150.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; when this money will be paid; and is she will make a statement on the matter.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. Arrangements are being made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee on 30 June 1986. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
151.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and the reason for the delay.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the conditions that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 15 May 1986 but inquiries had to be made to ascertain the reason she ceased to be employed and whether she satisfied the condition of being available for and genuinely seeking work. These inquiries were recently completed and her claim has been allowed at £39.50 weekly, being the appropriate maximum flat rate unemployment benefit payable in her case.
She is a postal claimant and an order for encashment at her local post office in respect of arrears of unemployment benefit due was issued to her last week. Further weekly payments of £39.50 will be made to her as they become due.
Her entitlement to pay-related benefit is being examined at present.
152.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when she will pay unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed with means of £30.80 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home.
He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of 95p weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75, less means of £30.80. 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 can be obtained at his local office.
153.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when she will pay a family income supplement in respect of the period 14 April 1986 to the 1 June 1986, to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned applied for family income supplement on 3 April 1986 and was awarded a supplement at the weekly rate of £6.75 increased to £12 from 10 April 1986 as a result of the budget increases. The supplement due on 3 April was paid by payable order.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 7 April 1986. Under legislation governing the family income supplement scheme a supplement is not payable to a person while he is in receipt of unemployment benefit. Payment of the supplement has accordingly been suspended from 10 April 1986.
154.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the conditions that a person must, since entry into insurable employment, have at least 26 contributions paid at a class that provides cover against unemployment and also must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the contribution year governing the claim.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 9 April 1986 and, according to the Department's records, he did not satisfy the condition of having at least 26 contributions paid at the appropriate class that provides cover against unemployment and his claim was, accordingly, disallowed. He then claimed unemployment assistance.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on a number of conditions one of which being that the claimant must have attained the age of 18 years. As the person concerned will not be 18 years of age until 28 August 1986 he is not eligible for unemployment assistance. He has been advised to make an application for unemployment assistance when he reaches the age of 18 years.
155.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having a claim for unemployment assistance processed for persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny where an application was made last April and the social welfare officer has not yet called.
In order for a married woman to qualify for unemployment assistance, her husband must be a dependant of her or, alternatively, she must not be a dependant of her husband.
The woman concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at the maximum rate of £33.80 weekly up to 8 April 1986. She was married on 9 April 1986 and is not entitled to unemployment assistance from that date as she is regarded as a dependant of her husband.
Her husband had been in receipt of £13.80 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable to a single person of £33.80 less means of £20, up to 8 April 1986. From 9 April 1986 he has been in receipt of £38.35, being the maximum rate payable to a claimant with an adult dependant of £58.35 less means of £20.
After his marriage, the man concerned asked for a review of his means and his papers were referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. These inquiries were recently completed and arrangements are being made to submit his case to a deciding officer for assessment of means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the means assessment.
While every effort is being made to process claims with a minimum of delay, nevertheless, due to the large volume of claims received in the Department, there is an inevitable delay in some cases. Delays are more likely to arise where means testing is involved, as in this particular case, there the social welfare officer must visit the claimant's home to investigate the means. The delay which occurred in reviewing the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned is regretted.
156.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will review the excessive income figures for a person (details supplied) in County Galway who previously was in receipt of and currently is signing for unemployment assistance for an abnormally long period; if she will now direct the immediate restoration of this assistance; the date on which weekly and arrears payments will be made; the amount thereof; and if she will make a statement on this very serious personal matter.
Following reinvestigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the beneficial occupation of his mother' holding, exceeded the maximum rate payable in this case. He appealed against the disallowance and an appeals officer on 11 June 1986 assessed him with means of £14.40 weekly.
He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £17.35 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75 less means of £14.40. Arrears totalling £520.82 due to the person concerned were paid to him last week and further weekly payments of £17.35 will continue to be made as they become due.
157.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will make the family income supplement payable to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly, who applied over five weeks ago.
The person concerned has been awarded a family income supplement at the weekly rate of £10 from 29 May 1986. The appropriate order book will issue to the designated post office within the next few days and the person concerned will be notified accordingly.
158.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of a non-contributory pension is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Longford.
A claim to increased old age pension from the person concerned has been partially investigated. The social welfare officer has requested details from the pensioner's employer regarding earnings and details from pensioner regarding disposal of capital. When this information comes to hand the case will be referred to a deciding officer for decision. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
159.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who states that he is signing since 26 November 1985.
Following investigation the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from income from self-employment, exceeded the maximum rate payable in his case. He appealed against the disallowance and, arising from contentions raised by him in support of his appeal, his papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
These inquiries are expected to be completed shortly and his case will then be submitted 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.
160.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an unemployment assistance cheque dated 16 April 1986 was not received by a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The person concerned, who is a postal applicant for unemployment benefit, reported the non-receipt of the payment voucher issued to him for weekending 15 April 1986. Before a duplicate payment voucher could be issued to him, inquiries had to be made to ascertain if the original voucher had been cashed.
These inquiries have now been completed and it has been confirmed that the voucher had not been cashed. Consequently, a duplicate payment voucher for £93.70 is being issued to him this week, for encashment at his local post office, paying unemployment benefit due for week-ending 15 April 1986. Further weekly payments of £93.70 will continue to be made as they become due.
161.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a disability benefit appeal will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned ceased after 24 May 1986 as no further medical evidence was received from him. It has now transpired that he was absent from the State during a period of his claim and accordingly is not entitled to payment in respect of this period. He has been requested to confirm the period of his absence and when this is received payment will be restored from the date of his return.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
162.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware that several applications for rent allowances in the North Lee and South Lee community care areas of the Southern Health Board are being allocated allowances of only £5 under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme and the same applicants are in such need that they require weekly deliveries of groceries by a voluntary organisation; her views on whether this practice meets the basic needs of welfare claimants; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme assistance is given to any person whose means are not sufficient to meet his needs as defined in the legislation. Each application for assistance is dealt with on its merits and the amount of the allowance paid in any particular case depends on the circumstances of the person concerned.
There is no reason to believe that the administration of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme by the Southern Health Board is inadequate in any respect.
If, however, the Deputy has details of any particular case where he considers that the amount of the allowance paid is less than what would be appropriate in the circumstances the matter will be referred to the health board for examination.
163.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the rate of unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon who has no income whatsoever was reduced.
Following a review of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned she was assessed with means of £16.90, derived from the value of board and lodgings on her brother's holding. She is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £16.90 weekly being the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in her case of £33.80, less means of £16.90. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against her it is open to her to appeal and have her case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained from her local office.