asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free fuel allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
94.
In order to qualify for a free fuel allowance, a person must, among other things, live alone or only with certain categories of persons. Furthermore, the allowance is not payable to persons who are in accommodation with subsidised heating.
The person concerned is not entitled to a free fuel allowance as her daughter, who resides with her, is in receipt of unemployment assistance and does not come within the categories of persons whose residence is disregarded for the purposes of the "living alone" condition of the scheme. As announced in the budget speech the presence of a recipient of unemployment assistance would not in itself disqualify a person, otherwise entitled, from receiving the free fuel in the next heating season. However, it also appears that the person in question is living in local authority accommodation where subsidised heating is provided by the State and consequently, she will not qualify for this allowance.
95.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in relation to an application for an increase in the old age non-contributory pension of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The persons concerned are each in receipt of old age non-contributory pension at the rate of £26.50 per week, pension having been awarded with effect from 10/9/87. On 30/1/89 a claim was made by both husband and wife for an increase in pension. Their application has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. As soon as inquiries have been completed, their claim will be referred to a deciding officer for decision and the persons concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
96.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in relation to the application for disability benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person's doctor stated in a report to his previous employer (details supplied) that he was permanently incapable of work and should be retired; and the way in which this opinion was rejected by his Department's medical referees who stated that he was capable of work.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 15 February 1988. Payment was disallowed from 20 December 1988 following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee on 8 February 1989. That referee, who was aware of the opinion expressed by the claimant's doctor, also found him capable of work.
The person concerned was sent a form on 21 February 1989 on which to set out the grounds for appeal if he wished to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination. His case will be reviewed if the form is returned within the statutory 21 day period.
97.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the hearing of an appeal in respect of disability benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 10 October 1988, following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was dissatisfied with the disallowance of benefit and was examined on 25 January 1989 by a different medical referee who also considered him capable of work. He submitted a notification of appeal on 14 February 1989 and his case is now being referred to an appeals officer.
98.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an increase in old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of old age non-contributory pension at the rate of £16.50 per week. This is the rate of pension to which he is entitled, having regard to his means which were assessed at £36.36 per week, derived from a holding assessment at £1,500 per annum and capital.
The pensioner applied for an increase in pension on 14/9/88. The case is currently under investigation, details having been sought concerning a bank account held jointly by the pensioner and his brother. As soon as this information is to hand, the case will be referred to a deciding officer for determination. The pensioner will be notified of the decision without delay.
99.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been refused disability benefit in view of the fact that an optician (details supplied) has stated that she has a very serious problem with her eyes.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 20 December 1988. The stated incapacity was arthritis and was not an eye condition. Payment of benefit was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who considered her capable of work. She appealed this decision and was examined by another medical referee on 15 February 1989 who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. The incapacity claimed was still arthritis.
She was informed of the result and was supplied with a form on which to set out the grounds for appeal if she wished to have her case referred to an appeals officer for determination. Her case will be reviewed if the form is returned within the statutory 21 day period. If she is basing her claim on an incapacity other than arthritis she should make this clear.
100.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance; if any legal proceedings were taken or are pending against this individual for frauduently claiming any social welfare payment; and if will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment claim of the person concerned was suspended on and from 10 February 1988 pending reinvestigation of his means. Following reinvestigation, his claim was formally disallowed with effect from that date.
He has appealed against this disallowance and his case is being considered by an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
No legal proceedings were taken or are pending against the person concerned for fraudulently receiving any social welfare payment.