asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of the investigation regarding payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
146.
Payment of unemployment assistance to the person concerned was suspended with effect from 10 February 1988 pending investigation.
Information available to the Department suggested that the person concerned did not satisfy the statutory conditions for the receipt of unemployment assistance.
The investigation is ongoing at present and the entitlement to unemployment assistance of the person concerned will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the investigation.
147.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension applied for some time ago will issue to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned requested a transfer from disability benefit to invalidity pension on 6 December 1985. He was examined by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work. A deciding officer decided that he was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension.
As the person concerned was dissatisfied with this decision arrangements were made to have him examined by a different medical referee who was also of the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work. He was then invited to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination. As the formal appeal form was not returned to the Department it was considered that the person concerned did not wish to pursue his entitlement to invalidity pension and no further action was taken on his claim.
This parliamentary question has been taken as a fresh application for invalidity pension on behalf of the person concerned. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee of the Department. His entitlement to the pension will be considered in the light of the report of this examination.
148.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when his Department will make a decision on an unemployment assistance appeal submitted in November 1986 by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and when the person will be notified of the decision.
Following re-investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, his claim was disallowed from 17 September 1986 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 of £3,736.20 applicable in his case. He appealed against the decision on 7 October 1986.
Due to an administrative error the decision to disallow and the appeal against that decision were overlooked and the person concerned has continued to be paid on the basis of an earlier means assessment of £38.45 a week.
Arrangements have now been made to review the case and in this regard the social welfare officer will visit the person concerned this week. These investigations will be completed as soon as possible and the case will then be submitted to a deciding officer for decision. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the decision taken he will have the right of appeal.
In the meantime he is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the rate of £33.75 a week, being the appropriate rate payable in his case of £72.20 less means of £38.45.
The error and the inconvenience caused to the person concerned is regretted.
149.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded an invalidity pension; and if so, when.
The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension from 21 January 1988. A pension order book payable from 17 March 1988 was issued to the designated post office of payment on 23 February 1988. Arrears in respect of the period from 21 January 1988 to 16 March 1988, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period will be paid by payable order.