asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of spouses who received dental treatment since the extension of the PRSI scheme to them; and the cost involved.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
62.
Since the extension of the treatment benefits scheme to the dependent spouses of insured persons took effect on 19 October 1987, a total of 39,892 claims for dental benefit have been received on behalf of dependent spouses. Up to 10 April 1989 a total of £1,830,711 was paid, in respect of such claims.
Information relating to dental treatment is recorded on the basis of claims received from dentists. The fact, however, that a course of treatment may extend over a period of time and that in some cases claims are not made to the Department until the treatment is completed or even later, means that the information available at any time is not complete. Accordingly, the actual cost incurred in relation to the period up to 10 April would be greater than the £1.83 million which was paid out.
63.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if full maternity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned qualified for payment of maternity allowance under the scheme for women in current employment for the 14 week period from 3 April 1989 when her maternity leave commenced to 8 July 1989.
The rate of the allowance was calculated in relation to her earnings in the 1987-88 year and as this was less than the minimum payable, her entitlement is at the minimum rate of £76 a week. Regulations provide that the first Monday in April is the start of the benefit year for maternity allowance. Accordingly, from 3 April 1989, that is the first Monday in April, to 31 March 1990 the relevant income tax year for calculating weekly entitlement is the 1987-88 year.
All benefit payable has been issued to the person concerned to 22 April 1989. Payment of benefit will continue to issue on a weekly basis until 8 July 1989 when her entitlement ceases.
64.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare where a person refuses to work on a social employment scheme, if he/she is still eligible to receive unemployment assistance.
It is a statutory condition for the receipt of unemployment assistance that a person must be available for and genuinely seeking, but unable to obtain, employment suitable to him or her having regard to his or her age, physique, education, normal occupation, place of residence and family circumstances.
Refusal of an offer of employment, including an offer of employment on the social employment scheme, without good cause would call into question whether a claimant fulfilled this condition and could result in disallowance of his or her unemployment assistance claim.
If, however, the person could show that there was good reason for refusal, the claim would be allowed and, in general, a person on unemployment assistance would not be expected to participate in the scheme where the weekly rate of payment is lower than his current entitlements. It is for a deciding officer to determine, having regard to all of the circumstances, whether a disallowance would be appropriate or not. Each case is considered on its own particular merits.