asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress being made on the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for an invalidity pension.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
63.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension with effect from 20 November 1986. A pension book payable from 18 December 1986 has been issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears of pension due for the period from 20 November 1986 to 17 December 1986, less the amount of disability benefit paid for the same period, will be issued as soon as possible.
64.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if persons (details supplied) in County Wexford will be approved for non-contributory old age pensions, and if so, when and at what rate.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 22 May 1986 that the persons concerned are not entitled to old age pensions as they do not fulfil the statutory condition with regard to means. The assessment of their means each consisting of the weekly value of ? intestacy share in a holding exceed the statutory limit of £48.00 weekly for entitlement to pensions.
A further review of the pension entitlements of the persons concerned on 28 October 1986 indicated that their circumstances have not changed.
65.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis on which an invalidity pension payable to a person (details supplied) in Dublin has been reduced so drastically; and the reason his fuel allowance has been cut.
The person concerned is receiving invalidity pension at the rate of £72.35, that is £47.10 personal rate, a special temporary rate of £20 and an increase of £5.25 for one qualified child. His wife is receiving disability benefit and under the equality provisions for men and women in social welfare matters he is no longer entitled to be paid for her as an adult dependant and he is only entitled to be paid half the child dependant allowance. He is however, being paid an additional temporary payment of £20 on a transitional basis.
His wife now has an equal right with him to claim for their child and her disability benefit has been increased from £41.10 to £45.80. The rates of disability benefit payable to married women were increased last May under the first phase of the equal treatment provision.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the national fuel scheme in Dublin, that the application for a fuel allowance of the person concerned has been refused on the grounds that he does not fulfil the living alone condition. A person must be either living alone or with a qualified adult dependant or any other person who is in receipt of a qualifying payment under the scheme. His wife is in receipt of disability benefit which is not a qualifying payment under the scheme.
66.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange an investigation with the English Social Welfare Department as to the reason the monthly disability payments from England have ceased to issue to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The person concerned was last insurably employed in the United Kingdom. Under the EC Regulations his claim for sickness benefit is, therefore, the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The UK authorities have been contacted in the matter and have advised that payment of benefit to this claimant ceased as from 29 October 1986, following his examination by a medical referee on 15 October 1986. Arising out of his examination the medical referee expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The UK authorities have received an appeal from the claimant against this decision and have indicated that they will process this appeal with all possible speed.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare is she will expedite an appeal for an old age pension (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
It was decided by a deciding officer that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension as his means, consisting of half the weekly value of his wife's earnings, exceed the statutory limit of £48 a week. An appeal against this decision was received on 30 October and was referred to an appeals officer for determination. A decision on the appeal will be given as soon as possible and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the family income supplement will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
A claim for family income supplement received from the person concerned on 11 November 1986 was disallowed on the ground that his weekly income exceeded the limit of £140 for a family with three children. The claimant was informed of the decision and of his right to appeal if dissatisfied, on 9 December 1986.