asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal for disability benefit will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
120.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 8 June 1987 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He has appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee at an early date.
His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
121.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will increase a smallholders assistance payments for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange immediate payment of an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension from 26 March 1987. A pension order book payable from 16 July 1987 will be issued shortly to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 26 March 1987 to 15 July 1987, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period, will be paid by payable order.
123.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange immediate payment of smallholders assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; if arrears will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following reinvestigation the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 18 June 1986 on the grounds that his means, which were assessed at £4,260 per annum derived from the profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit of £4,251.
He appealed against the disallowance and, following further inquiries and an oral hearing of the case, an appeals officer, on 21 May 1987, reduced his assessment to £71.75 weekly. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance of £5.20 weekly with effect from 18 June 1986, increased to £8.15 weekly with effect from 9 July 1986. All arrears due to the person concerned will be paid next week and weekly payments of £8.15 will continue to be made as they become due.
124.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Clare as there is severe financial hardship in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 39 contributions paid or credited in the contribution year governing her claim. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 28 April 1987. However, as she was employed in the United Kingdom during the governing contribution year 6 April 1985 to 5 April 1986, her entitlement to unemployment benefit could not be established until inquiries had been made to ascertain her contribution record in that country.
These inquiries have recently been completed and her claim has been authorised at the weekly rate of £41.10, which is the appropriate flatrate benefit payable in her case. All arrears due will be paid this week and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due. The person concerned was requested to furnish a P45 or a statement of earnings from her employer and, when she does so, her entitlement to pay-related benefit will be determined.
125.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange full payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; the reason for the recent reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following reinvestigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that, by failing to furnish details of his means, he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He subsequently provided the necessary information to enable his claim to be decided and he was assessed with means of £10.75 weekly, derived from self-employment.
He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £84.55 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £95.30 less means of £10.75. All arrears due to the person concerned were paid on 2 June and weekly payments of £84.55 will continue to be made as they become due.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange payment of smallholders assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; the reason for withdrawing this payment in the recent past; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £57.89 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding and from the value of capital and, accordingly, his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case. If the person is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.