asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will outline the full and up-to-date facts regarding the unemployment assistance entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if she is satisfied that all relevant factors have been taken into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
135.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £37.30 weekly derived from the profit from his holding and from the value of capital. This assessment exceeds the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case and, accordingly, his claim was disallowed. The assessment was calculated on the basis of the net yearly value of the advantage from his holding at £1,690 and the yearly value of capital at £250.
He appealed against this decision and the contentions raised by him in support of his appeal were investigated. On the 8 October 1986, the appeals officer also assessed him with means of £37.30. All the relevant factors in this case have been examined and the means of the person concerned have been assessed accordingly.
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.
136.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 20 September 1986. He is not entitled to payment of benefit as according to the records of the Department he has not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in the 1984-85 contribution year which governs his claim. He has no reckonable contributions recorded in that year.
Credited contributions have been awarded up to 5 November 1986, the date of the latest medical certificate received. These credited contributions, while not entitling him to payment, preserve the continuity of his insurance record.
The person concerned has been advised to contact his local community welfare officer, with a view to claiming supplementary welfare allowance, if his needs exceed his means.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Meath, who has been receiving disability benefit for six years and was examined by a medical referee two months ago, will receive an invalidity pension.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned was examined on 18 August 1986 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work.
Arrangements are being made to have him again examined by a medical referee on 4 December 1986. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an invalidity pension has not yet been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has been on disability benefit for five years and suffers from severe hyper-tension; and when this will be granted.
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. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the family income supplement of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly was reduced to £1 per week from the 30 October 1986.
In the previous claim for family income supplement by the person concerned, received in October 1985, the weekly income for supplement purposes was £103.46 and the supplement in payment at the expiry of the 52-week of entitlement on 29 October 1986 was £6 weekly. When a fresh claim was received in October this year the weekly income had increased to £117, which entitles the beneficiary to a supplement of £1 weekly from 30 October 1986 to 28 October 1987.
140.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of arrears of invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned has been awarded an allowance in respect of two additional children with effect from 14 August 1986. A completed application for the increase was received in the Department on 10 October 1986. The present book in respect of child dependant allowance has been recalled and the new rate book will issue immediately on receipt of this book. Arrears of pension due will be issued as soon as possible.