asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is in receipt of only £14.35 per week unemployment assistance; if he will review this amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
59.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £21.69 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home.
He appealed against this decision and, on 11 December 1987, an appeals officer assessed his means at £20.75 weekly.
The person concerned made a supplementary claim on 5 January 1988 and he was again assessed with means of £20.75. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £14.35 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £35.10 less means of £20.75.
If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the decision it is open to him to appeal against it and have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the application for invalidity pension of a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be granted.
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 and a claim form has now been forwarded to him.
61.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is not in receipt of full disability benefit.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit at a reduced rate proper to a person who had 41 contributions in the contribution year which governed her claim which was 1985-86 — she had 18 paid contributions and 23 credited contributions.
Where a person has less than 260 contributions paid since entry into insurable employment, entitlement to disability benefit is limited to 52 weeks.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned has only 229 contributions paid on her behalf since entry into insurance. She claimed disability benefit from 2 March 1987 and was paid to 2 March 1988 after which date her 52 weeks entitlement became exhausted.
In order to requalify for disability benefit it will be necessary for her to have at least a further 13 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions are paid.
62.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is not receiving full entitlements to disability benefit.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned has only 129 contributions paid on her behalf since entry into insurable employment. She is therefore entitled to payment of disability benefit for 52 weeks only in respect of her claim from 20 March 1987 to 21 March 1988.
In order to qualify for payment of disability benefit for longer than a continuous period of 52 weeks she would need to have 260 contributions paid on her behalf.
If she obtains at least a further 13 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid then she may requalify for disability benefit subject to satisfying the usual conditions.
63.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost on an annual basis of (1) the restoration of the 20 per cent and 25 per cent pay-related benefit rate of payments, (2) an increase in child benefit of 6 per cent, (3) the provision of long term disability benefit on the basis of 156 paid or credited contributions and (4) the payment of disability benefit, unemployment benefit and maternity allowance on the basis of 26 paid or credited contributions.
The costs requested by the Deputy are estimated to be as follows:—
|
Measure |
Cost in a full year |
|
(£m) |
|
|
(1) Restoration of the 20% and 25% rates of pay-related benefit |
20.00 |
|
(2) An increase in child benefit of 6% |
12.75 |
|
(3) Provision of long-term disability benefit on the basis of 156 paid contributions |
9.25 |
|
(4) Provision of disability benefit, unemployment benefit and maternity benefit on the basis of 26 paid or credited contributions |
6.75 |