asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been disallowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
104.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 30 November 1987 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance but no medical evidence beyond the date of the examination has so far been received in the Department. Arrangements will be made to have him examined by a different medical referee as soon as further medical evidence is received. His entitlement to continued payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
105.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded all disability benefit payments up to date; and if so, the reason her husband's rate of entitlement has been reduced.
The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit since 13 October 1987, the fourth day of incapacity, and is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £52.55. This is made up of £42.30 personal rate and £10.25 which is half rate child dependant allowance in respect of two qualified children.
Payment of child dependant allowance was not initially issued to the person concerned because she did not claim for her children. However, following inquiries, the Department established that she was entitled to payment in respect of two qualified children. All benefit payable to her has been issued to 30 November 1987, the date of the latest medical evidence received.
From 4 January 1988, her husband's entitlement to disability benefit is based on his contribution record for the 198687 tax year. According to the records of the Department he has only 45 contributions in that year and will, therefore, qualify for benefit at £71 a week comprising of a reduced personal rate of £40.70, half the allowance in respect of two qualified children, and £20.00 temporary alleviation payment arising from the introduction of equality of treatment measures in November 1986.