asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
84.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension from 9 April 1987. A pension book payable from 21 May 1987 has been issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 9 April 1987 to 20 May 1987, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period will be paid by payable order.
85.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has not yet received payment of disability benefit for the two years for which he submitted medical certificates.
The records of the Department show that the person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 November 1986. He submitted a final medical certificate stating that he was fit to resume work on 20 November 1986.
Disability benefit is only payable from the fourth day of incapacity. As the person concerned returned to work before the three waiting days had elapsed he was not, therefore, entitled to any payment. The person concerned does not appear to have made any other claim to disability benefit within the previous two years.
86.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford was refused payment of disability benefit; if he will have the case investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit to 26 September 1986. Payment was disallowed from 27 September 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 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 27 September 1986 to 2 March 1987, 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 person concerned continued to claim disability benefit after 2 March 1987, with the same incapacity. His claim from that date has also been disallowed by a deciding officer. He was notified of the disallowance and of his right to appeal.
87.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the application of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for transfer from disability benefit to invalidity pension, will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 14 April 1987 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for further examination in three months. A deciding officer decided that he was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 6 May 1987 and of his right of appeal.
88.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision on a disability benefit appeal case will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The RSI number quoted does not refer to the person referred to in the Deputy's question. If the correct RSI number can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy supplied.
89.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, who is in receipt of an old age pension from England.
A living alone allowance is an increase in a pension from the Department of Social Welfare, payable to a person who is 66 years of age or over and living alone. It is not paid in respect of pensions from other countries.
On the information supplied by the Deputy, and in the absence of any other income, it would appear that the person concerned would be entitled to a reduced rate non-contributory old age pension. If he wishes his entitlement to be investigated he should complete an application form, which can be obtained from any post office, and return it to the Department.
If he was insurably employed in Ireland since January 1953, it would be open to him to apply for a contributory old age pension, the form for which is also available at any post office. Should he be awarded one of the foregoing pensions, a living alone allowance will also be paid to him if he is entitled to it.
90.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a family income supplement payment was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
It is a statutory condition for receipt of FIS that the claimant or hisher spouse must be engaged in full time remunerative employment as an employee. In her application for this payment, the person concerned indicated that neither she nor her husband were so employed. Her application was, accordingly, refused and she was notified of the decision and the reasons therefor on 14 April 1987.