asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will approve the application for unemployment benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
123.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit up to 29 April 1987, when she had drawn her maximum entitlement of 390 days benefit. To requalify for unemployment benefit she requires at least a further 13 weeks contributions paid at the appropriate class providing cover against unemployment. Weeks of employment since the date on which she received 156 days of unemployment benefit may count for this purpose.
Inquiries are being made to establish whether her employment after the 156th day of benefit was appropriate to a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment.
Her employer has failed to provide the necessary information to enable her contribution class to be determined. It was necessary to issue a statutory demand on her employer to secure the necessary information. As soon as these inquiries are completed her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined.
124.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the application for invalidity pension of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and when a result will issue.
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 9 October 1986. In order to determine his entitlement to the pension he was examined by a medical referee of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work. A deciding officer therefore decided that he was not entitled to invalidity pension.
The person concerned appealed this decision and was examined on 14 May 1987 by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work. The case was then referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer upheld the decision of the deciding officer that he was not entitled to invalidity pension.
Arising from a subsequent request for pension, arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 24 November 1987. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.