asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath is not in receipt of a full rate of old age contributory pension; and if he will investigate the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
128.
The person concerned is in receipt of a widow's contributory pension at maximum rate, which is calculated on her late husband's insurance record. She is not entitled to an old age contributory pension as this pension is payable on a person's own insurance record and the person concerned was never insurably employed. No claim for old age contributory pension has been received from her.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on whether evidence available in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13, who has appealed against the decision to terminate his disability benefit is adequate to warrant the reversal of the decision of 18 November 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 21 November 1987 after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee as soon as possible. His entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay a Christmas bonus to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit. The additional payment at Christmas applies to certain pensions and allowances only, but is not applicable to disability benefit. The person concerned is not, therefore, entitled to the additional payment.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to replace the half disability benefit when it is withdrawn from January, 1988; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will create severe hardship for some social welfare recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under existing provisions recipients of widows pension, deserted wives payments, unmarried mothers allowance or prisoners' wives allowance may receive half rate disability benefit when absent from work due to illness in addition to their full pension. From January 1988 new claimants to disability benefit who are also receiving one of these payments will not be entitled to claim disability benefit in addition. This measure will not affect existing social welfare recipients. Women who are already in receipt of both types of payments will retain their present entitlements for the duration of their current claims.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the provisions of the free travel scheme to allow for parents or guardians accompanying mentally retarded persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the free travel provision so that it is extended to the dependants of widows.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
The free travel scheme applies to all permanent residents of the State aged 66 years and over and to certain categories of disabled persons under 66 years of age. The scheme also applies to spouses under age 66 for journeys on which they accompany the qualified person.
Extension of the scheme on the lines proposed by the Deputy would have significant cost implications. It would also arise for consideration the position of other groups who from time to time have sought free travel. There are no proposals at present for extending the scheme.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans his Department have to review the allowances for child dependants in one parent families.
143.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans his Department has for the continuance of child allowance and widows pensions for dependants over the age of 21 years while still in full time education.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 134 and 143 together.
At present, increases in social welfare payments are generally payable in respect of child dependants up to age 18 years. However special arrangements apply in the case of widows, deserted wives, prisoners' wives or unmarried mothers who are receiving social welfare pension or allowance. In such cases increases are awarded in respect of children up to the age of 21 years if they are in full time education. There are no plans at present to extend the age limit for child dependancy beyond 21 years for the above group. Any such proposal would have significant cost implications.
The Commission on Social Welfare examined the question of child dependency allowances, and recommended that these should be rationalised. They also recommended that a child dependant allowance should be payable to all longterm recipients until the child reaches 21 years, where he/she is in full time education. These recommendations, together with the Commission's recommendations on the whole area of child income support, will be considered as part of the ongoing evaluation of the commission's report.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans his Department have to allow widows who are living alone and have reached the age of 66 years to receive the same fringe benefits when they are only in receipt of public service pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Widows aged 66 years and over who are in receipt of a social welfare pension are entitled to an electricity allowance, a telephone rental allowance and a free television licence, provided that they are living alone or with certain categories of excepted persons.
The extension of these schemes on the lines proposed would entail significant additional costs and there are no proposals to introduce changes of this nature at present.
All persons aged 66 years and over living permanently in the State are entitled to free travel.
136.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans his Department have to apply percentage increases in social welfare annually on the same date each year.
In the recently concluded Programme for National Recovery, it is stated that the Government will maintain the overall value of social welfare benefits and, within the resources available, will consider special provision for greater increases for those receiving the lowest payments.
From time to time social welfare increases have been implemented with effect from different dates. The important factor is, however, the level of increases. Over the past ten years for instance the level of payments has increased in real terms by over 44 per cent for the long term unemployed, over 50 per cent for other long term payments and by 34 per cent for short term payments. The question as to the appropriate level of increases and the date of implementation of those increases will be determined by the Government in the context of the budget and in the light of their stated commitment.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans his Department have to allow for elderly people living alone to provide for a relative or friend to stay with them at night without interfering with the living alone allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The living alone allowance is paid to persons aged 66 or over who are receiving social welfare pensions and are living alone.
The allowance may be payable where a pensioner who is aged or infirm has a relative to stay for security reasons at night time only. It may be also payable to a pensioner who resides alone during the day and goes to stay with relatives at night.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit since 17 September 1981. Benefit was disallowed from the 9 February 1985 to the 14 November 1985 as he was found to be concurrently working and claiming. He appealed this decision and the appeals officer ruled in favour of the Department. He has been prosectued under section 115 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1981 and his case is currently before the courts. His entitlement to invalidity pension cannot be considered until his case has been finalised in court.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason alleviating payment was withdrawn in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned has been in receipt of invalidity pension since 20 November 1980 and is at present in receipt of £90.45 per week, that is, £48.50 personal rate, £16.20 half rate in respect of three qualified child dependants and alleviation payments of £10 and £15.75. The pension order book at rate £15.75 was recalled because the wife of the person concerned claimed disability benefit and under the equal treatment regulations she was, therefore, entitled to be paid half-rate benefit in respect of their three qualified child dependants. As she has now been certified as fit to resume work, and is no longer claiming disability benefit, it will not be necessary for the pensioner to return his book. There will be no change in the rate of pension payable to him.
140.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford was refused disability benefit; and if, in view of the new medical evidence submitted, the application will be approved.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 7 November 1987 after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee as soon as possible. His entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
141.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has been approved for invalidity benefit.
The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension on appeal with effect from 16 April 1987. This is the first pension pay-date following the expiry of the person's entitlement to payrelated benefit which had been payable with his disability benefit.
A pension order book payable from 21 January 1988 will be issued to the designated Post Office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 16 April 1987 to 20 January 1988, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period, will be paid by payable order.
142.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the invalidity pension application of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
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 29 July 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 eight months. A deciding officer decided that he was not, therefore, entitled to invalidity pension.
The person concerned appealed against this decision and arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.