asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Louth who has submitted certificates since 8 December 1988; and having regard to the fact that this person was on disability benefit during the benefit year and has full qualifications, when payment in full will be made to her.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
110.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 8 December 1988 but was not paid as according to the records of the Department she had insufficient contributions paid in order to qualify for benefit.
However, she indicated she has been employed in Britain for a number of years and so her insurance record was requested from the British authorities. This has now been received, and provides evidence that she qualifies for payment.
Payment to the person concerned has been restored from a current date. Arrangements are now being made to have arrears of benefit due, less the amount paid in respect of adult and full child dependant allowances on her husband's unemployment benefit claim, issued to the person concerned as soon as possible.
111.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and when the appeal will be held.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 30 November 1988 after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He expressed dissatisfaction with that decision and was examined by a different medical referee on 19 January 1989 who also found that he was capable of work.
He was advised of the outcome of this examination and supplied with a form on which to set out the grounds of appeal. The form was received from him towards the end of February 1989. This appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who may decide his case summarily if she/he is of the opinion that it can properly be determined without a hearing. If the appeals officer decides that an oral hearing is necessary the person concerned will be notified of the arrangements as soon as possible.
112.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for disability benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to disability benefit and weekly payments have been restored from 26 April 1989.
Payment of arrears for the period 6 June 1988 to 25 April 1989 is being temporarily withheld pending calculation of the amounts of any supplementary welfare allowance and any unemployment assistance paid to him in respect of that period and which will have to be refunded from the arrears.
Any net arrears due to the person concerned will be issued as quickly as possible on receipt of the necessary information which has been requested from the North Western Health Board and the local employment exchange.