asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was found capable of work while he suffered from a severely damaged back, for which he has submitted X-rays and medical evidence, in view of the fact that his condition was previously accepted, and caused him to resign for health reasons from his prevous employment with Bord na Móna; and if he will now make arrangements for payment of disability benefit to be restored to him; and if he consider granting him an invalidity pension in view of the nature and permanency of his disability.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
56.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit since January 1985. He was recently examined by a medical referee of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. As a result, benefit was disallowed with effect from 7 November 1987.
The person concerned has not submitted any medical evidence subsequent to the date of disallowance. His appeal cannot be considered until further medical evidence is available.
One of the conditions for the receipt of invalidity pension is that a person must be permanently incapable of work. The person concerned cannot be considered for invalidity pensions until he has been examined again by a medical referee.
57.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position concerning the invalidity pension application of a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
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 6 August 1987 by a medical referee who did not consider her to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have her referred for a further examination in four months. A deciding officer decided that she was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension
The person concern appealed against this decision and arrangements are being made to have her examined by a different medical referee on 26 November 1987. Her entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.
58.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who has applied for an invalidity pension.
The person concerned appears to satisfy the medical and contribution conditions for invalidity pension. It will be necessary for him to formally apply for pension. A claim form has been issued to him and a pension will be awarded on its return.
59.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when persons (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive payment of free electricity benefit, as they submitted an application on 20 October 1987 and have heard nothing to date.
An application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned has been approved. The ESB has been instructed to apply the allowance to her electricity account from 2 November 1987, which is the date she became the registered consumer of electricity at her address and therefore, the appropriate commencement date under the scheme in her case.
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for disability benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 2 June 1987, 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 14 September 1987 who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
Her appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of her claim on 1 December 1987.