asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Louth; if she is aware that he was certified for disablement benefit; when he will be reinstated for disability benefit; and when arrears, if any, will be paid.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
311.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 10 April 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 found him to be incapable of work from that date.
Accordingly payment of benefit was restored from 3 July 1986. No arrears of benefit were payable for the period from 10 April 1986 to 2 July 1986, as the person concerned was paid unemployment benefit at the same weekly rate as disability benefit during that period.
Regarding his claim for disablement benefit under the occupational injuries scheme, the position is that following an examination by a medical referee on 21 May 1986, the extent of his disablement resulting from his work accident on 2 May 1983, which previously had been assessed at 20 per cent from the commencement of his claim on 4 November 1983, was reassessed at 15 per cent for the period of eight months from 13 June 1986 to 12 February 1987. The appropriate award for this assessment, a lumpsum gratuity of £320 was paid on 27 June 1986. In respect of his work accident on 19 June 1980, his disablement was assessed at 10 per cent for life from 20 May 1986, and the award of a gratuity of £2,310.00 was paid on 25 June 1986.
312.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not in receipt of an increase in her non-contributory old age pension.
A supplementary pension book covering payment of the increase due to the person concerned from 18 July 1986 was issued in the normal course. She notified the Department that this book was not received and a replacement book was issued recently. Payment of all pension due to date has now been made in this case.
313.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with nil means. He is accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case of £35.50. All arrears due to the person concerned were paid last week and weekly payments of £35.50 will continue to be made as they become due.
314.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be reviewed; the gross income calculated and the total expenses charged in this case in his application for unemployment assistance.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £16 weekly.
This assessment was calculated on the basis of the value of his board and lodgings in his parents' home by reference to their net income from an old age contributory pension of £84.20 weekly and from a county council pension of £44.84 weekly. However, the assessment was subject to the limitation applied in such cases that the amount of means assessed against a claimant shall not exceed 12½ per cent of his parents' net income and he was, accordingly, assessed with means of £16.00 weekly. He appealed against the means assessment and an appeals officer on 26 September 1986 also assessed him with means of £16 weekly.
He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £19.50 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £35.50 less means of £16.
If the person concerned feels 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.
315.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £69.35, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £5.05 weekly, being the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case of £74.40 less means of £69.35.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and, arising from contentions raised by him in support of his appeal, his papers were referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries were recently completed and his case has been 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.
316.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason invalidity pensioners from other EC countries are not entitled to a free electricity allowance and free telephone rental.
The free electricity allowance and free telephone rental allowance schemes were introduced to cover specific categories of pensioners and have been extended over the years as resources permitted. The extension of these schemes to invalidity pensioners from other EC countries would cost an estimated £350,000 in a full year and there are no plans for such an extension in present circumstances.
317.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons in receipt of disability benefit on 31 December 1984, 30 June 1985, 31 December 1985 and 30 June 1986.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Date |
Disability Benefit Recipients |
|
31 December 1984 |
74,550 |
|
30 June 1985 |
76,603 |
|
31 December 1985 |
77,762 |
|
30 June 1986 |
79,722 |