asked the Minister for Social Welfare the situation regarding the claim for unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
203.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that the claimant must be available for, capable of and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned failed to commence employment with Donegal County Council following an offer of employment under the social employment scheme. He was asked in writing for his reasons for failing to commence employment but he did not reply. As a result payment of unemployment assistance was suspended from 21 April 1986 and he ceased to sign the unemployed register after 29 April 1986. It was later learned that he would have incurred travelling difficulties to the place of employment and consequently payment of unemployment assistance was restored from 21 April 1986. An order paying him for the period 21 April 1986 to 29 April 1986 was issued to him last week.
He again claimed unemployment assistance from 10 June 1986 following a period of incapacity for work for which he furnished medical evidence. Inquiries are being made to establish if he satisfies the condition which requires him to be available for and genuinely seeking work.
These inquiries will be completed as soon as possible and his entitlement to unemployment assistance from 10 June 1986 will be determined in the light of the outcome of these inquiries.
204.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
205.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding the unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned in October 1985, he was assessed with means of £19.20 weekly, derived from income from self-employment.
He appealed against the means assessment in April 1986 and, arising from contentions raised by him in support of his appeal, the case was referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
Because of the large workload a social welfare officer has to contend with, some delay is inevitable in dealing with certain cases. However, the inquiries in this case will be completed as soon as possible and his case will then be submitted to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
In the meantime weekly payments of £39.15, that is the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £58.35 less means of £19.20, will continue to be made as they become due.
206.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an appeal for increased unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned in December 1983 he was assessed with means of £24 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parents' holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £9.80 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80 less means of £24. The person concerned did not appeal against the amount of means assessed against him although he was advised of his right to do so.
However, if he now considers 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 from his local office. In the meantime, further weekly payments of £9.80 will continue to be made as they become due.
207.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will expedite an appeal for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following a review of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £15.35 weekly, derived from income as a self-employed shopkeeper. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £18.45 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80 less means of £15.35.
The person concerned did not appeal against the means assessment although he was advised of his right to do so. However, if he 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 from his local office.
208.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will expedite an appeal for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £19.25 weekly, derived from the letting value of land. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer on 2 May 1986 assessed him with nil means with effect from 26 April 1985.
He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £76.95 weekly. All arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned were paid to him on 3 June 1986 and further weekly payments of £76.95 will continue to be made as they become due.
209.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following investigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that, by failing to furnish details of his means, he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance on 17 June 1986 and arrangements are being made to submit his case to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
210.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of unemployment assistance has been suspended in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will ensure that the appeal will take place as soon as possible.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that a person must be available for, capable of and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to 6 May 1986. His claim was disallowed from 7 May 1986 following his refusal, for medical reasons, to accept an offer of employment under the social employment scheme with Cavan County Council. He furnished medical evidence stating that he was unfit for work and he also stated himself that he was not capable of employment outside his own holding.
He appealed against the disallowance of his claim on 26 June 1986 and arrangements are being made to submit his case to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest possible opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal. In the meantime, if the means of the person concerned are insufficient to meet his needs it is open to him to claim supplementary welfare allowance from the health board by contacting his local community welfare officer.
211.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 15 March 1986 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 29 April 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 on 8 July 1986.
212.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will state in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in receipt of disability benefit the frequency with which this person has been called before a medical referee over the past year; her views on the precise nature of the disability of the recipient in question and of the frequency with which he has been in receipt of both surgical and medical attention by specialists both here and in Britain; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
From experience it has been found that the most effective method of control of disability benefit claimants is by means of the Department's medical referees. Claimants are referred to them for a second medical opinion to ensure that only those who are genuinely ill and incapable of work are in fact paid disability benefit.
The person concerned is claiming disability benefit since 9 July 1984. He has been called for examination by medical referees on four occasions since June 1985. He attended one examination on 12 December 1986 and the medical referee who examined him considered that he was incapable of work. However, he recommended a further examination in the near future. Further medical referee examinations were arranged on 24 February and 19 May 1986 neither of which he attended.
While he has stated in correspondence to the Department that he has spent time in hospitals in Dublin, Cork and England and has undergone major surgery he has not submitted any hospital reports for consideration by the Department's medical adviser.
Arrangements are presently being made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee in the near future. His claim will be reviewed in the light of this further examination. All disability benefit payable to 5 July 1986 has been issued.
213.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance payments have been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, who is married with three dependent children; and if she will arrange to accept an appeal on his behalf with a view to having his unemployment assistance restored.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit.
A form on which to appeal against the disallowance was issued to him on 26 June 1986. 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. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
214.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension has yet been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Invalidity pension has been awarded from 31 July 1986. A pension book payable from 14 August 1986 will be issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 31 July 1986 to 13 August 1986, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period will be paid by payable order.
215.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will approve an application for unemployment assistance received from a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned she was assessed with nil means. She is, accordingly, entitled to payment of unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum rate payable in her case of £31.75 weekly. All arrears due on the claim from 12 May 1986 were paid to her last week and further weekly payments of £31.75 will continue to be made as they become due.
216.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was refused disability benefit; and if she will arrange for the holding of an early appeal for him.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 21 May 1986, following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee at an early date.
His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
217.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons benefits were withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 November 1983 and payment was issued to 18 January 1986. Payment was disallowed from 20 January 1986 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. His case was then referred to an appeals officer who decided that the person concerned was incapable of work and entitled to payment of disability benefit from 20 January 1986. All benefit payable from 20 January 1986 to date has been issued to the person concerned.
218.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 June 1986 to 26 June 1986 after which date he was certified fit to resume work. Payment was issued at the weekly rate of £85 the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with two dependent children.
219.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of disability benefit has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 April 1986. Payment was authorised from 4 April 1986, the fourth day of incapacity, at the weekly rate of £85, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with two dependent children. He was also paid pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £42.75, from 22 April 1986, nineteenth day of incapacity.
Due to an administrative error, a delay occurred in paying the person concerned for the period from 16 May 1986 to 5 June 1986. Payment in respect of this period issued on 25 June 1986. All benefit payable has now been issued to 19 June 1986, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
220.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has been made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be unemployed and available for employment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 9 December 1982 to 12 March 1984. Following inquiries by a social welfare officer it came to light that he was not unemployed during the periods 1 June 1983 to 7 June 1983 and from 21 September 1983 to 22 November 1983. Consequently his claim was disallowed in respect of these periods on the grounds that he was not unemployed and an overpayment of £1,132.33 was assessed against him.
He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and his case was listed for an oral hearing on three separate occasions — for 10 September 1985, 31 October 1985 and 8 January 1986. On each occasion a witness, who had been summoned to give evidence, failed to attend and in his absence the appeals officer was unable to determine the case. While the non-attendance of the witness has delayed a decision in this case every effort is being made to finalise the case as early as possible.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £100.05, this being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case.
221.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an employer (details supplied) in County Galway who employed a young person and applied for PRSI exemption was not granted the exemption.
The employers' PRSI exemption scheme 1986-87 exempted employers from paying their share of the PRSI contribution in respect of certain additional full time employees.
Eligible new employees must have been signing on the live register for a period of 13 weeks immediately prior to recruitment but breaks during this 13 week period could in certain circumstances be taken into account.
The employer in this case made an application under the scheme in respect of the employee in question but this person was recruited immediately following completion of an AnCO training course and had never actually signed on the live register. In these circumstances the employee was not eligible to participate under the scheme.