asked the Minister for Social Welfare the way in which he can justify the decision not to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is a diabetic and must inject himself twice daily and is therefore not employable; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
66.
The person concerned has been in receipt of invalidity pension since 16 April 1981. Invalidity pension is payable to persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are regarded as permanently incapable of work. He was examined by a medical referee on 19 January 1989 who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. As a result a deciding officer decided that the person concerned was not entitled to be paid invalidity pension and notified him of this decision on 27 January 1989 and of his right of appeal.
The person concerned has appealed this decision and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 3 April 1989. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of this examination.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 2 February 1989. However, as he was found capable of work by the medical referee who examined him on 19 February 1989, he was not eligible for disability benefit.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of occupational injury benefit and disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Payment of benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 18 August 1988 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed the disallowance of benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 8 December 1988 who also considered her capable of work. Her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has had his appeal against disability benefit disallowed as he is on crutches recovering from a serious operation.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 17 May 1988 following examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed this decision and was examined by a different medical referee on 26 July 1988 who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
His case was referred to an appeals officer who held an oral hearing at which the claimant was present. The appeals officer upheld the decision to disallow payment of disability benefit from 17 May 1988. The claimant was informed of this decision which is final and may only be altered in the light of new facts of fresh medical evidence.
The person concerned was hospitalised from 23 to 30 January 1989 and from 11 to 21 February 1989 and was entitled to disability benefit for these periods. However, as he was paid supplementary welfare allowance by the health board, the disability benefit due was issued to the health board. In view of the fact that he has been hospitalised for these two periods his case is being referred again to a medical referee.
69.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare, with regard to the localising of disability benefit payments, if the pilot scheme in Cork is considered to have been successful; and whether there are any plans to introduce such a scheme in Wexford.
The local certificate entry facility provides that certain medical certificates for disability benefit and occupational injury benefit can be entered at local offices on computer connected to the Department's computer systems and cheques can issue to the client from Dublin on the same day. This development was designed to reduce the interval between submission of certificates and the issue of payments. Prior to the introduction of this facility all medical certificates had to be posted to Dublin before payment was issued and inevitably some delays arose.
I launched this project on a pilot basis at the Employment Exchange, Union Quay, Cork in September 1987. It has been operating successfully there since. In line, generally, with my policy of extending localisation of social welfare services I have since introduced the facility to a number of areas.
While I am not in a position to extend the facility to Wexford in the immediate future I intend doing so as soon as possible and when additional accommodation is acquired and other preliminaries completed.