asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the termination of payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that she was discharged from hospital within the last six weeks and has been certified by her doctor as unable to resume employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
62.
The person concerned was hospitalised from 13 April to 22 April 1987. Payment of disability benefit was disallowed from 8 June 1987 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
In view of the concerns raised by the Deputy, arrangements are being made to have the person concerned examined by a different medical referee at an early date.
Her entitlement to disability benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following that examination.
63.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people on social welfare benefit in Cork city in the following categories as at 31 May; for the years 1977 to 1987 inclusive (a) unemployment assistance, (b) unemployment benefit, (c) disability benefit, (d) invalidity pension, (e) occupational injury benefit, (f) disablement pension, (g) deserted wife's allowance, (h) single woman's allowance, (i) unmarried mother's allowance, (j) children's allowance, (k) old age contributory pension, (1) old age non-contributory pension, (m) widow's contributory pension, (n) widow's non-contributory pension, (o) retirement pension, (p) orphan's pension and (q) home assistance; and the cost thereof.
It has not been possible in the time available to provide the information requested by the Deputy. Arrangements are, however, being made to have the information assembled and it will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
64.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the full rate of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 13 April 1987. On his original claim form he omitted to claim for his wife. He was therefore paid at the reduced rate appropriate to a claimant with two child dependants whose spouse's circumstances were unestablished.
On receipt of a form completed in respect of his wife his rate of benefit was adjusted accordingly and arrears payable were issued. He is now in receipt of the maximum rate payable to a married man with an adult dependant and two child dependants.
65.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the application of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who appealed against the decision to refuse disability benefit to him has now been approved and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 9 February 1987 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 9 February 1987 to 6 May 1987, the date of the latest certificate before him. The decision of the appeals officer is final and may only be altered in the light of new facts of fresh evidence.
66.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned, who claimed disability benefit in May 1986, is not qualified for payment of benefit as she had no reckonable contributions recorded for the year 1984-85 which governed her claim. She has been a voluntary contributor since 1979-80 and voluntary contributions give entitlement only to pensions and death grant.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose condition has necessitated three by-pass operations in the past few years.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned applied for invalidity pension on 12 January 1987. He had just been examined in connection with his disability benefit claim on 6 January 1987 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination in six months. He was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension on the grounds that he was not permanently incapable of work.
Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee in the near future.
His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.