asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of a living alone allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will ensure that payment of this allowance is made without any further delay.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
143.
During the course of the investigation of his claim, the person concerned changed his address. Initial inquiries were made at his old address and the details obtained there proved to be incorrect. As a result, a delay occurred in finalising inquiries in the case. The matter has now been resolved, however, and the person concerned has been awarded a living alone allowance with effect from 22 July 1988, the same date from which he qualified for an old age contributory pension. An allowance book has been sent to the post office nominated by the pensioner and a cheque for the amount of arrears due will issue to him without delay.
144.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a fuel allowance has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that his only income is an invalidity pension and the only person living with him is his wife.
The national fuel scheme applies to persons in receipt of long term social welfare or health board payments who are living alone or only with persons who come within certain categories.
The person concerned is in receipt of invalidity pension. He lives with his wife who is in receipt of disability benefit which is not a qualifying payment for the receipt of the fuel allowance. His wife, therefore, as she is in receipt of disability benefit in her own right, is not his dependant for the purposes of the fuel scheme and his application for an allowance under that scheme had to be refused.