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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Feb 1989

Vol. 387 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

56.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal will be heard in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who was disqaulified from disability benefit.

Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 13 October 1988 following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

She appealed against the disallowance of benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 15 December 1988 who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Her appeal is being referred to an appeals officer for determination.

57.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many elderly people, particularly in the west of Ireland, who have been trying to make very modest savings over the years to provide for their funeral expenses, are having their old age pensions reduced because of these savings in banks or other such institutions; that this development is in turn causing many such people to hold their savings in their own homes with the danger of these being stolen and of being subjected to violence themselves in the course of such burglary; in view of these circumstances if he will consider a substantial rise in the amount allowed to elderly people before starting to take savings into account for means test purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Contributory pensioners are not means tested and so are not affected by savings or investments.

A recipient of non-contributory pension can have savings or investments amounting to £5,975 if a married old age pensioner, £2,987.50 if a single old age pensioner or £5,400 if a widow or £6 a week cash income and still receive the full rate pension or allowance. Applicants for old age non-contributory pension can have savings of £53,815 if married and £26,907.50 if single and still qualify for minimum pension if they have no other means.

In the case of widow's non-contributory pension, a woman with no other means can have savings of £51,160 and still qualify for minimum pension. Recipients of minimum pensions may qualify for the free electricity, free telephone rental, free television licence and fuel allowance. There is a special leaflet available from my Department entitled "Pensioners and Savings" which outlines the current position for pensioners in regard to the levels of savings which they may have without affecting pension entitlements.

Increasing the amount of savings allowed for means test purposes would mainly benefit persons who have means. The Government's priority at present as outlined in the Budget Statement is to channel resources to those in greatest need by increasing the basic rates of payment which benefits all claimants.

58.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of disability benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan.

The person concerned has appealed against the disallowance of disability benefit from 20 April 1988 following examinations of 12 April 1988 and 10 October 1988 by medical referees who expressed opinions that she was capable of work.

Her appeal has been referred to an appeals officer for determination.

59.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Cork is eligible for disability benefit; and, if so, when the benefit will issue.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 January 1989 and inquiries were necessary to establish whether or not he was qualified for payment. It has now been established that he is qualified for payment of benefit and payment will issue from receipt of the next medical certificates.

While waiting settlement of his claim, the person concerned was paid supplementary welfare allowance by the Southern Health Board to 11 February 1989. The amount of allowance paid is being recouped to the health board from the disability benefit due to the claimant.

60.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Cork is eligible for disability benefit.

The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from March 1984 to 4 June 1988 when payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

She appealed against the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Her case was then transferred to an appeals officer who upheld the decision to disallow payment of disability benefit. The decision of the appeals officer is final and can only be altered in the light of new facts or fresh evidence.

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