asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a demand for £186.90 in connection with disability benefit was received by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and the reason the person is not entitled to a disability benefit.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
126.
The person concerned, who has been in receipt of a disability benefit from 25 January 1983, was awarded a contributory widow's pension of £62.30 weekly with effect from 15 April 1988. As the rate of widow's pension awarded was at a higher rate than her disability benefit entitlement of £52, payment of this benefit was suspended from 16 May 1988 in favour of the widow's pension.
Disability benefit amounting to £204.32 paid to the person concerned between 15 April 1988 and 14 May 1988 was offset against arrears of widow's pension amounting to £186.90. The balance of £17.42 is not being pursued.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will confirm that youth leaders bringing young people abroad on summer activities and who are themselves registered as unemployed will be included in the recently announced scheme to allow unemployed persons to take up to two weeks holidays per year and still be entitled to sign on and draw their benefits without loss of income, as indicated by him in a speech at the Galway employment exchange on 23 May 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In my speech at the official opening of the Galway employment exchange on 23 May 1988 I stated that I considered that the existing arrangements under which unemployed people can, under certain conditions, take a two week holiday at home without affecting their entitlement to unemployment payments should be extended for visits abroad in certain circumstances. Details of a scheme along these lines are at present being finalised. I envisage that the arrangements will apply in the type of situation referred to by the Deputy.