asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded disability benefit payments in view of the fact she has continuous credits and contributions for over the last two years.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
58.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 May 1988. Her employment was determined as liable for payment of class J contributions in 1984 and her social insurance contribution record from 1982 to 1984 was modified accordingly. For all subsequent years class J contributions were paid.
Class J contributions are not reckonable for either disability benefit or unemployment benefit purposes nor for the award of credited contributions in respect of periods of illness or unemployment. Accordingly, she is not entitled to payment of disability benefit or the award of credited contributions for the duration of her claim.
59.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who is in receipt of a widow's pension but who continues to work out of necessity; and if he will ensure that disability benefit is allowed.
The person concerned has been in receipt of a contributory widow's pension since 3 April 1987. Her current entitlement is £49.50 weekly.
A claim to disability benefit was received from the person concerned from 12 May 1988. As the rate of widow's pension currently in payment to her is at a higher rate than her disability benefit entitlement of £42.00 weekly, payment of widow's pension continued to her. Credited contributions have, however, been awarded for the period 12 May 1988 to 23 May 1988, the day before she was certified fit to resume work.
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 March 1988.
She was not entitled to benefit at the commencement of her claim as according to the available records she had less than the minimum of 39 contributions paid since her entry into insurable employment. She also had no contributions either paid or credited in the 1986-87 contribution year governing her claim.
Following inquiries, it was established that under her German insurance record, the person concerned had more than 39 contributions paid since entry into insurance and had sufficient contributions paid and credited in the year 1986-78 to qualify for benefit at the maximum rate appropriate to single women with no dependants.
All benefit payable to 7 June 1988, the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued to her, less supplementary welfare allowance forwarded to her for this period.
61.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure a person (details supplied) in County Cork receives payment of unemployment assistance without further delay.
Following investigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed 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. Although requested to do so, he failed to provide the necessary documentary evidence to substantiate his claim. If he is dissatisfied with the decision, it is open to him to appeal against it and have his case decided by an appeals officers. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
The person concerned has not been in touch with his local office since 10 February 1988.