asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
94.
The person concerned applied for a living alone allowance on 18 August 1989. A deciding officer decided on 28 August 1989 that the pensioner was entitled to this allowance at the weekly rate of £3.90 with effect from 21 September 1989.
An allowance book has been issued to the designated post office payable from 23 November 1989 and all arrears due are being paid directly to the person concerned by means of a payable order.
95.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in returning the unmarried mother's allowance book to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 who finished work on 28 October 1989; if the book will be returned to her before Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of unmarried mother's allowance to the person concerned was terminated on 3 May 1989 as her means exceeded the statutory limit for receipt of this allowance. The claimant reapplied for the allowance on 2 November 1989. Her file was referred to a local social welfare officer for investigation. As soon as this officer's report is received a decision will immediately be made on her claim. The claimant will be notified of the outcome at the earliest possible date.
96.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has restored a living alone allowance, a free fuel allowance and a free gas allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo.
The entitlement of the person concerned to the living alone allowance is currently under investigation by a social welfare officer. On completion of the necessary inquiries, it will be referred to a deciding officer for decision and the pensioner will be notified of the outcome.
No applications have been received for free fuel allowance or free gas allowance in respect of the person concerned. Application forms for these allowances have been issued for completion. On receipt of these completed forms, eligibility will be determined and the person concerned informed of the decisions without delay.
97.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny placed on invalidity pension immediately in view of the serious nature of his illness.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 14 March 1989.
Invalidity pension is payable to people who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. In order that a person may be considered permanently incapable of work it is necessary for him to, inter alia, have been continuously incapable of work for a period of one year. Therefore, the earliest date on which the person concerned could qualify for invalidity pension, assuming that he satisfies the incapacity requirement in question, is 14 March 1990.