asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 she was left without income for 14 weeks between October 1986 and January 1987 while awaiting decision on her appeal against disqualification for disability benefit and although still ill she claimed and received unemployment benefit since January 1987; in view of her continuing illness, if she will have her disability benefit claim reconsidered; if a refund of her unemployment benefit to October 1986 or some appropriate payment for the 14 weeks in question will be granted to her; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
65.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 26 January 1986 to 13 October 1986 after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance of benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 25 November 1986 who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
Her appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who may decide the case summarily. Should the appeals officer consider that an oral hearing is necessary she will be informed of the time and place fixed when the final arrangements have been completed.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit and was paid from 4 December 1986 as she was certified to resume work on that date. Her current weekly rate of payment is £34.05.
Arrangements are being made to have the person interviewed when she next attends her local office with a view to establishing whether she is entitled to claim unemployment benefit retrospectively from 14 October. Her application will be favourably considered and dealt with as quickly as possible.
66.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is in receipt of disability benefit is entitled to pay-related benefit; if not when he will be eligible; and if he is entitled to disablement pension or lump sum payments.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit from 21 March 1987 at the weekly rate of £113.70 being the rate appropriate to a man, wife and five children. All benefit payable has been issued to 29 April 1987 the date of the latest medical certificate received. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as the amount of disability benefit payable in his case exceeds 75 per cent of his average reckonable weekly earnings in the 1985-86 tax year which governs his claim.
Pay-related benefit is normally calculated on a person's reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant income-tax year which is the last complete income-tax year before the year in which the claim commences. As the person's claim commenced in the 1986-87 year, it is the earnings in the 1985-86 tax year which govern his claim for its entire duration.
A claim form has been issued in respect of disablement benefit. When the completed form is returned to the Department his entitlement to disablement benefit will be examined.