asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a contributory widow's pension paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
156.
The person concerned was awarded a widows contributory pension at the maximum rate of £53.70 per week, with effect from Friday, 8 September 1989, the Friday following the death of her late husband.
The Department cannot issue a widows pension book until she returns her old age non-contributory pension book. She has been asked to return this pension book and as soon as she does so, she will be issued with a widows pension book payable at the above rate.
157.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason he has excluded persons who re-entered insurance at the modified rate on 1 April 1974 from entitlement to a pro rata old age contributory pension; and the justification for refusing a pension to those whose contributions are equal or significantly greater than those awarded pensions in 1988.
Prior to April 1974 people could come into and go out of insurance due to the operation of the insurable limit. From April 1974, however, all employees, regardless of earnings, became compulsorily insurable, either at the full rate covered for all benefits and pensions, or at a modified rate covered for a limited range of benefits.
Many persons who came back into compulsory insurance at the full rate were able to build up an entitlement to old age pension after a relatively short period of years. Other persons, however, although they had similar insurance records after April 1974, were unable to qualify for pension because the operation of the insurable limit had created gaps in their insurance records which prevented them from meeting the minimum average contribution requirement of 20. To rectify this anomaly provision was made for pro rata pensions in these cases for averages of less than 20.
Persons who came back into insurance at a modified rate in April 1974 were not compulsorily insured for old age pension after that date and were not covered by the 1988 provisions. The situation of mixed insurance where people move from full to modified insurance during their working lifetime is an ongoing feature of the social insurance system. The question of pension coverage for persons in this situation is being examined by the National Pensions Board as part of its review of pension provisions generally.
158.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an appeal date has not yet been set for the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of a disability benefit.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 17 July 1989, after which date payment was disallowed 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 23 August 1989 who also considered her capable of work.
In mid-September 1989 the person concerned requested that her case be referred to an appeals officer for determination. Rather than determine the case summarily the appeals officer decided, after an examination of the papers, to hold an oral hearing to afford the person concerned an opportunity to present her case personally. As soon as a date is fixed and arrangements are finalised, she will be advised of the date, time and place of the hearing.
159.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a free fuel allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The Department's records show that the person concerned is at present in receipt of a free fuel allowance of £5 per week. This supplements her widow's pension entitlement of £53.70 per week. Her total weekly payment since the commencement of the current fuel season on 20 October 1989 is therefore £58.70. In view of the Deputy's representations the Department have asked her to confirm that she is in receipt of this amount. On receipt of her reply any necessary action will be taken without delay.
160.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has been refused free fuel vouchers.
The person concerned was awarded a blind pension from 30 October 1980, at the maximum rate.
An application form for free fuel allowance was received from the person concerned on 18 October 1989. It was decided by a deciding officer on 10 November 1989 that he was entitled to a free fuel allowance from 20 October 1989. A pension book containing payment of this allowance is in the course of issue. There is no record of any previous application for free fuel allowance, in respect of the person concerned, in my Department.