asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a demand for a repayment of £1,871.74 disability benefit has been made of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick when she is not responsible for this situation and has at all times acted in accord with departmental directives and rulings; if she is aware that it is impossible for this person to repay this money and that this demand has caused great distress to the family concerned and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
115.
Where a person has less than 156 contributions paid since entry into insurable employment, entitlement to disability benefit is limited to 52 weeks.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned has only 30 contributions paid on her behalf since entry into insurable employment. Disability benefit was paid from 4 April 1981 to 6 April 1982 after which date her 52 week entitlement became exhausted. She again claimed disability benefit on 12 August 1985 and payment inadvertently was made to 13 August 1986 which resulted in an overpayment.
In order to requalify for disability benefit it will be necessary for her to have at least a further 13 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions are paid.
As the person concerned has not the means to repay this overpayment, the Department does not intend to pursue recovery of the amount at this time.
116.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the non-payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick, when this money will be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed for the statutory period of nine weeks from 14 October 1986 as she failed to attend for examination by a medical referee of the Department on 1 October 1986.
Her explanation for failure to attend for examination has been accepted and payment of benefit was restored from 14 October 1986. All disability benefit payable to the person concerned has issued to 10 November 1986, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
117.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the refusal to grant an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who suffers from a disability and who has been in receipt of a disability pension for two and a half years.
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 25 November 1986. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
118.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she views the present fuel voucher of £5 as insufficient in view of the present bad weather; and if she will increase this amount for the remainder of this year's free fuel scheme.
It is not considered that an increase in the value of the fuel allowance is warranted, taking account of the change in the cost of fuel since the allowance was set at £5 in 1985. There are no plans at present for an increase in the value of the allowance.
119.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware that under the new regulations a family (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will have their income from the wife's earnings and the husband's social welfare reduced to a point where, when having made mortgage and fuel repayments, this family of two adults and five children will be expected to meet all the other costs of living demands out of a total daily average of less than £10; if she regards this as equitable or possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Since 17 November 1986 men and women claiming benefit, assistance or pension under the Social Welfare Acts will be treated equally. Up to now a married man claiming a social welfare payment automatically got an increase of benefit for his wife and children living with him, but a married woman could only get an increase of benefit for her husband and children in very restricted circumstances.
Since 17 November 1986 the definition of dependency has been changed to make it the same for men and women thus removing the discrimination which has heretofore existed against married women. A spouse will be regarded as a dependant of the other spouse only where he or she is being wholly or mainly maintained by that person and spouses entitled to social welfare payment in their own right or with earnings in excess of £50 a week will not be regarded as dependants. In circumstances where neither spouse is dependent on the other, half of the normal rate of increases of benefit for the children will be paid when either spouse claims benefit.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit at the personal rate of £41.10 plus an increase of £26.60 in respect of an adult dependant and £46.00 in respect of five child dependants up to 15 November 1986.
The claimant's wife is employed and earning in excess £50 a week and consequently from 17 November 1986 he will be entitled to £64.10 weekly, that is £41.10 personal rate and an increase of £23 for five children.
However, should the wife of the person concerned claim and qualify for benefit on her own record, she would also be paid the full personal rate and an increase for qualified children at half rate.
In a statement issued on 19 November, the Government indicated that it would be reviewing the equal treatment in their current consideration of the 1987 Estimate and that any changes that may arise would be made retrospective.
120.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 is required to sign on daily requiring inter alia a payment of £9 approximately on bus fares out of his total benefit of £39.
The current signing arrangements for unemployed persons are governed by statutory regulations which provide that claimants to unemployment benefit or assistance must sign the unemployed register to indicate that they are available for and genuinely seeking work. In accordance with the regulations, a claimant is obliged to attend the local office at which he made his claim on every working day for which he is unemployed, except where the Minister directs otherwise. In general, claimants attending local offices in the Dublin area are required to attend there only once a week.
The person concerned, who is employed on a casual basis, claimed unemployment benefit intermittently since 1 July 1986. When he made his claim he was required to attend the local office once weekly.
Following recent inquiries, however, it was established that during the period 25 August 1986 to 9 October 1986, he had claimed unemployment benefit in respect of a number of days on which he was employed. His claim was, accordingly, disallowed in respect of those days and an overpayment assessed against him.
Because of the irregularity, he was requested to attend at the local office on each day he was unemployed to sign the unemployed register as proof of unemployment. He has now undertaken to furnish a weekly statement from his employer indicating the days on which he worked and, on receipt of such statement, the position regarding his signing arrangements will be reviewed.
121.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing fuel vouchers to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
It is understood from the NorthEastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the national fuel scheme in County Louth, that the application for a fuel allowance of the person concerned, two of whose daughters are in full time employment, has been refused for the present season on the grounds that he is not a person who is unable to provide for his heating needs from his own resources.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a single woman's allowance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person was awarded single woman's allowance from 22 May 1980, at the maximum rate. Her case was reviewed in September 1986 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she failed to disclose full details of her means. At the request of the claimant's brother, the social welfare officer visited her again recently to afford her a further opportunity to supply the details required. These inquiries were recently completed, and the case will now be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means. The entitlement of the person concerned to single woman's allowance will be reviewed in the light of this assessment.
124.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an invalidity pension has not yet been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when this will be paid; and the amount which will be paid.
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 11 December 1986. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed on the light of the report of this examination.
125.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary as he is still seriously disabled with a chronic back ailment and is unfit for work; and when the decision to refuse disability benefit to him will be reconsidered.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 23 July 1986 after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who considered him to be capable of work. He appealed against this decision and was examined by another medical referee on 5 November 1986 who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was informed of the result of this examination and has been supplied with a form on which to set out the grounds for appeal if he wishes to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination. His case will be reviewed on receipt of this form.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people other than citizens of the European Community who are in receipt of unemployment assistance or supplementary welfare allowances; and if she will give a breakdown of the nationalities of these citizens.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available as statistics on the nationality of recipients of unemployment assistance and supplementary welfare allowance are not maintained.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of moneys allocated for 1986 to combat poverty; the agencies to which they have been allocated; the proposals she has to allocate further moneys before the end of this year; the agencies which will be granted these moneys; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The amount allocated to the Anti-Poverty Programme for 1986 was £1 million. The main purpose of the allocation was to provide funding for the establishment and operations of the Combat Poverty Agency. The Agency is now becoming operational but it is not possible at this stage to say what expenditure will arise in this regard before the end of the year. In the meantime there is ongoing expenditure in relation to the projects which are included in the EC poverty programme and which are being financed jointly by the Community and by the Government. The Agency has also made proposals for payments to be made to certain other organisations from the 1986 allocation and these proposals are at present under consideration.
128.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who sustained a severely fractured cervical spine some years ago and since then has severe osteo-arthritis in his neck; if she is aware that despite medical evidence the medical referee has decided that he is not unfit for work; if his case could be decided on the evidence which is now before her Department; if not, when an appeal will be arranged; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 20 September 1986 after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who considered him to be capable of work. He appealed against this decision and was examined by another medical referee on 4 November 1986 who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He was informed of the result of this examination and has been supplied with a form on which to set out the grounds for appeal if he wishes to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination. His case will be reviewed on receipt of this form.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to have an increased rate of disablement benefit granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned was awarded disablement benefit from 7 August 1981 in respect of an accident at work. Following a medical referee examination, his disablement was assessed provisionally at 60 per cent and benefit was paid accordingly. Following reassessments, disablement benefit has been paid at rates varying from 60 per cent to 15 per cent up to 25 September 1986.
He was last medically examined on 24 July 1986 when the extent of disablement was provisionally assessed at 10 per cent for the period from 26 September 1986 to 25 September 1987. The claimant has appealed against this assessment and the matter has been referred to an appeals officer for decision.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if six weeks arrears of disability benefit will now be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow in view of his recent medical examination.
The person concerned failed to attend for examination by a medical referee of the Department on 18 July 1986 and, as a result, payment of disability benefit was disallowed for the statutory period of nine weeks. The claimant's explanation has not been accepted as showing good cause for his non-attendance for examination.
The claimant submitted a final certificate stating that he was fit to resume work on 22 August 1986. The claimant was examined by a medical referee on 19 November 1986. He did not, however, submit any medical certificates subsequent to 22 August 1986.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit can now be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in respect of the period from 21 May 1986, to 24 June 1986, in view of his recent medical examination.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 22 November 1984 following an 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 upheld the decision to disallow payment of disability benefit from 22 November 1984 to 13 May 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate before him.
The claimant continued to submit medical certificates to the Department and was referred for another medical examination and the medical referee expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. His case was again examined by the appeals officer who upheld the decision to disallow payment of disability benefit from 14 May 1985 to 20 May 1986 the date of the latest medical evidence before him.
A medical referee's examination was scheduled for the claimant on 6 November 1986 but he was not examined as he had submitted a final certificate on 24 June 1986 and no medical certificates have been received from him since that date. His case has been referred to an appeals officer for decision on the period 21 May 1986 to 24 June 1986.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in relation to an application for an increase in a non-contributory old age pension by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It was decided by a deciding officer on 23 July 1986 that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £16 from 25 April 1986. This rate increased to £17.75 from 18 July 1986. This is the rate to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of half the weekly value of income from a holding. An appeal has been lodged against the decision and the case has been referred to an appeals officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the date, time and place of the hearing as soon as possible.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when he will be examined by another medical referee as he is still seriously ill.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 5 October 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 and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 28 November 1986. His entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has been refused unemployment assistance.
Following investigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the value of board and lodgings on his father's holding, exceeded the maximum rate payable in his case. He appealed against the decision and an appeals officer, on 4 July 1986, also disallowed his claim. The decision of the appeals officer is final in the absence of new facts or fresh evidence.
The person concerned ceased signing the unemployed register on 30 September 1986. If he is of the opinion that his circumstances have changed since the last investigation of means it is open to him to make a further claim for unemployment assistance and have his means reviewed. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick from 10 October 1986; and when this will be paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 October 1986. Payment was not authorised however, as she submitted an incorrect Revenue Social Insurance number under which no contributions were recorded in 1984-85 the contribution year that governed her claim. The matter was subsequently resolved and the arrears of benefit payable less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Southern Health Board were issued to her on 21 November 1986. All benefit payable in respect of her claim has been issued to 19 November 1986 the date of the latest medical certificate received.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when she will pay a free telephone rental allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
There is no record in the Department of receipt of an application for this allowance from the person concerned. An application form was issued to her on 21 November 1986. On receipt of the completed application in the Department an early decision will be given in her case and she will be notified of the outcome.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been off work since July 1986; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have a least 26 contributions paid or credited at a class providing cover against unemployment in the contribution year which governs the claim.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 29 July 1986. According to the Department's records there are no contributions paid or credited in respect of him during the period 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985, which governs his entitlement to unemployment benefit from 29 July 1986. He informed his local office that he was employed for the full year in question and furnished a form P.60 as confirmation of this. However, the form P.60 was not fully completed and inquiries are being made to establish his contribution record for that year. These inquiries will be completed as soon as possible and his unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the outcome.
He has been advised to apply for unemployment assistance in the meantime. It is understood that he is at present in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the health board.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been off work for five weeks, has three dependent children and urgently needs the payment.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 October 1986. There was a delay in issuing payment pending the confirmation of details of supplementary welfare allowance advanced to her by the Eastern Health Board. The position has now been clarified and it has been established that no arrears of disability benefit are due.
However she has claimed an increase in respect of three children. This increase was not granted because it was necessary to establish if she was entitled to the increase. Arrangements have been made to have an inspector from the Department visit her and if he finds in her favour any disability benefit due to the person concerned will be issued.
140.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the blind pension of a person (details supplied) in County Meath has been reduced.
The increase in pension paid to the person concerned in respect of his wife was withdrawn because she is in receipt of an independent gross income of over £55 per week and, in accordance with the arrangements for equal treatment of men and women, she can no longer be regarded as an adult dependant of her husband. In a statement issued on 19 November, the Government indicated that it would be reviewing the equal treatment measures in their current consideration of the 1986 Estimate and that any changes that may arise would be made retrospective.
141.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the pension of a person (details supplied) in County Meath has been reduced from £87.55 to £53.45; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The increase in pension paid to the person concerned in respect of his wife was withdrawn because she is in receipt of disability benefit of £41.10 a week in her own right and, in accordance with the arrangements for equal treatment of men and women, she can no longer be regarded as an adult dependant of her husband.
Since both the husband and wife are in receipt of social welfare payments he has been awarded the special supplement of £10 per week which is allowable in such circumstances. In a statement issued on 19 November, the Government indicated that it would be reviewing the equal treatment in their current consideration of the 1987 Estimate and that any changes that may arise would be made retrospective.
142.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware that in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath whose employment has been determined by her Department to be insurable at Class A1, the employer has continued to insure this employee at Class J only; and the steps which will be taken to remedy this situation.
The Department is aware of the case in question and an officer has been asked to call on the employers at an early date to remind them of their obligations and to establish what arrears of contributions are due in consequence of their paying at the lower Class J rate.
The Collector General, Office of the Revenue Commissioners, will then be advised of the arrears due for collection. In the meantime, the contributions in question are being treated as Class A contributions so there will be no loss of benefit entitlement to the person concerned.
143.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will confirm that persons in receipt of long term unemployment assistance and receiving the full rate of £35.50 and living alone will qualify for the 1986-87 free fuel voucher scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Recipients of unemployment assistance with dependants are entitled to free fuel under the urban fuel scheme, which operates in 17 cities and towns and is administered by the local authorities in the areas concerned.
Unemployment assistance recipients have never been included in the national fuel scheme, which operates throughout the State and is administered by the health boards. There are no plans for their inclusion in the 1986-87 scheme.
144.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has not received unemployment assistance for the past five weeks.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 18 April 1986 and his claim was authorised at the appropriate rate. He received weekly payments of unemployment assistance until 30 September 1986 when his claim was reviewed to establish if he continued to satisfy the condition of genuinely seeking work.
Following the review, his claim was disallowed from 1 October 1986 on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work. He appealed against the disallowance and his case was referred to an appeals officer for consideration. Arrangements have been made to hold an oral hearing of his appeal on 2 December 1986. He has been notified accordingly and asked to attend the hearing. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
145.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who is a married woman and has been in receipt of disability benefit for the past three years and is actively seeking work, has been refused unemployment assistance; and if she will ensure that this case is reviewed again.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for and genuniely seeking work. Whether claimants are deemed to be available for and genuinely seeking work is a matter which is determined by statutorily appointed deciding officers and appeals officers. Each case is determined on its merits through the application of standard criteria and the officers involved discharge their functions in an absolutely impartial manner.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 20 August 1986 but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not genuinely seeking work. She appealed against the disallowance and, at an oral hearing on 29 October 1986, she was given the opportunity to present her case. The appeals officer, on the basis of the evidence available to him, also disallowed her claim.
She continued to sign the unemployed register after the date of the appeals officer's decision and inquiries are being made at present to establish whether she now fulfils the condition of genuinely seeking work.
These inquiries will be completed as soon as possible and her entitlement to unemployment benefit from 30 October 1986 will then be determined.
146.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange the continued payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who received payment up to 25 May 1986.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 February 1985 and payment was issued to 27 May 1986. Payment was disallowed from 28 May 1986 following examination by a medical refree who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
She appealed against the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Her case was then referred to an appeals officer who decided that she was incapable of work and therefore entitled to disability benefit from 28 May 1986.
Payment of all arrears due for the period from 28 May 1986 to 17 November 1986, the date of the latest medical certificate received, have been issued to the person concerned.
147.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for transfer from disability benefit to invalidity pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned was examined on 11 November 1986 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work. A deciding officer has decided that he is not, therefore, entitled to invalidity pension. He has been notified of this decision and of his right of appeal.
148.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an unemployed person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 was refused unemployment assistance-unemployment benefit for the period commencing 31 October 1986 up until the opening of the new IDA centre at Summerhill at which time he hopes to commence employment, as at present he is available for work and has no income.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for employment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 3 November 1986. He indicated that he was not seeking work as he was involved in setting up his own business. His claim was accordingly disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that he was not available for employment.
On 17 November 1986 he appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have his case submitted to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
149.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will make a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork towards the cost of dental treatment.
A claim to dental benefit was received from the person concerned on 20 May 1986. She is qualified for dental benefit on her insurance record.
The treatment involved included the provision of a chrome cobalt denture towards which the Department pays a fixed amount to the dentist and the claimant is required to pay the balance of the cost. A notification to this effect was issued to the claimant on 30 May 1986. The claim was approved and payment in respect of completed treatment issued to the dentist in July 1986.
It is understood that the person concerned has paid her portion of the cost to the dentist. There is no payment due to her by the Department.
150.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when she is prepared to give a decision on an appeal against a reduced rate of unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned she was assessed with means of £7.50 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging in her parents' home. She appealed against this decision and an appeals officer, on 17 September 1986, also assessed her with means of £7.50.
She is accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £25.50 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in her case of £33 less means of £7.50. If the person concerned is of the opinion that her circumstances have changed in the meantime it is open to her to apply for a review of her means. A form for this purpose may be obtained from her local office.
151.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be transferred from disability benefit on to invalidity pension.
A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to the person concerned and on its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
152.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrears of disability benefit for the period December 1985 to June 1986 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 28 December 1985 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 upheld the decision to disallow payment of disability benefit from 28 December 1985 to 5 May 1986, the date of the latest medical certificate before him. The decision of the appeals officer is final and can only be altered in the light of new facts or fresh evidence.
The medical report submitted by the claimant has been forwarded to the chief appeals officer for consideration.
153.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will direct that a non-contributory old age pension be issued to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who is 92 years old and who disposed of the proceeds of the sale of a small farm some years ago in purchasing a house to live in, putting in a heating system necessitated by her age, and furnishing and re-wiring the house and carrying out essential repairs; and in view of the fact that the lady's nephew is prepared to swear an affidavit of the facts and given Deputy Gay Mitchell's representations to date and the special circumstances involved, if she will now grant the pension to this very old lady.
A repeat claim to old age pension on behalf of the person concerned was received in the Department on 12 November 1986 and has been referred to the social welfare officer for investigation. On completion of inquiries it will be referred to a deciding officer and the person concerned will be notified of the decision without delay.