asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that disability benefit is restored to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who is not capable of working because of a medical condition.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
116.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 16 January 1988, following a medical referee examination. The person concerned appealed this decision, and was examined by a different medical referee on 20 April 1988, who also considered her to be capable of work.
The case has now been referred to an appeals officer, who proposes to hold an oral hearing of the claim. The person concerned will be notified of the time and place fixed for the hearing when the final arrangements have been made.
117.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of arrears of invalidity benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and when payment of same will issue.
The person concerned was awarded invalidity pension from 15 October 1987. A pension order book was issued to the designated post office payable from 19 May 1988.
Arrears of pension due for the period 15 October 1987 to 18 May 1988 less the amount paid on disability benefit for the same period have now been issued by payable order.
In calculating the arrears of pension due it was necessary to ascertain the amount paid on disability benefit for the period in question hence the interval between the issue of the pension book and the issue of arrears.
118.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an oral hearing of the appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry against the decision to discontinue payment of disability benefit to him, will be heard; and the reason for the delay in this case.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 3 September 1987, following a medical referee examination.
The person concerned appealed this decision, and was examined by a different medical referee on 5 February 1988, who also considered him to be capable of work.
As the person concerned is also in receipt of disablement benefit, it was necessary to co-ordinate arrangements in relation to that benefit, with those being made for his disability benefit appeal. This resulted in a delay before the case could be referred to an appeals officer.
The case has now been referred to an appeals officer, who proposes to hold an oral hearing of the appeal. It is not possible to say when the case can be heard but arrangements are being made to have it heard as soon as possible.
The person concerned will be notified of the time and venue fixed for the hearing when the final arrangements have been made.
119.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an oral appeal hearing will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will expedite the matter.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 1 February 1988, following a medical referee examination.
The person concerned appealed this decision, and was examined by a different medical referee on 8 April 1988, who also considered him to be capable of work.
The case has now been referred to an appeals officer, who proposes to hold an oral hearing of the claim. It is not possible to say at this stage when the case can be heard, but arrangements are being made to have it heard as soon as possible.
The person concerned will be notified of the time and place fixed for the hearing when the final arrangements have been made.
120.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will confirm that the overpayment made to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 who is now threatened with dismissal by his employer for over-claiming disability benefit, referred to approximately six weeks over a two year period, and not 18 weeks as suggested.
The person concerned made five claims to disability benefit between 24 May 1984 and 8 September 1986. Preliminary inquiries indicate that he was in receipt of disability benefit while working on 34 days between those dates. Investigations are continuing and when completed the person concerned will be informed of the outcome.
121.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in a case (details supplied) he will indicate the weekly amount of unemployment benefit which would be payable to a person in these circumstances; and the amount of unemployment assistance which would be payable to him per week, under present arrangements, when his unemployment benefit runs out.
Enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces are insured under class H which provides cover for unemployment benefit. Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to a person having 39 paid contributions since entry into insurable employment and at least 39 contributions paid or credited at the appropriate class in the relevant governing contribution year. In addition a claimant must satisfy the statutory conditions of being capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work and has not been disqualified under the Social Welfare Acts on the grounds of leaving employment voluntarily without just cause or losing employment through misconduct.
The weekly flat rate unemployment benefit payable to a man claiming an increase in respect of his wife and two dependent children under 18 years, is £90.20. This rate will increase to £93.00 from 21 July 1988 in accordance with the provisions of the 1988 budget. The above rates are based on having at least 48 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is based on a person satisfying a detailed means test. In the absence of a full investigation of means, it is not possible to indicate entitlement to payment of unemployment assistance in respect of the person concerned.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant a full old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
An appeals officer decided on 13 January 1988 that the rate of old age pension of the person concerned, including living alone allowance of £3.70, should be increased to £14.80 a week with effect from 6 November 1987. This is the rate of pension to which he is entitled, having regard to his means which were assessed at £42.00 per week, derived from a holding assessed at £1,650 per annum and some capital.
If the pensioner's circumstances have changed, he should notify the Department of the change and the question of his entitlement to an increase in pension will be investigated.