Ned O'Keeffe
Question:59 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will re-examine an application for a free fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when the allowance will be awarded.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
In order to qualify for fuel allowance a person must satisfy certain conditions. One condition requires that the pensioner lives alone or with certain excepted categories of people, while another requires that the applicant should be unable to provide for his or her own heating needs.
The person concerned was refused this allowance on 21 November 1989 as she failed to qualify under two headings. The person concerned was residing with her daughter, who is not a qualified person for the purposes of this scheme. In any event, the heating needs of the person concerned are provided for under a deed of transfer involving the person concerned and her son.
On foot of representations by the Deputy, the case has been referred to the social welfare officer for re-investigation. On completion of the necessary inquiries her entitlement will be reviewed, and she will notified of the outcome.
Austin Deasy
Question:60 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Social Welfare , having regard to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 13 March 1990, when payment of occupational injury benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned is in receipt of disablement benefit under the occupational injuries scheme. He is also in receipt of disability benefit.
Arrears of pension amounting to £734.25 in respect of the period from July 1989 were paid by cheque in January 1990. Following further investigations my Department were able to backdate the claim to April 1989, giving a further £400.20 of arrears. The claim was made late but a good cause was established and accepted. The cheque for £400.20 issued on 6 March 1990.
Ongoing payments of disablement pension are made by periodic payments at four week intervals. Arising from the investigation into the late claim there was a delay in putting the periodic payments into operation with the result that normal payments commenced only from February 1990 leaving a payment outstanding in respect of the period from January/February. A cheque for the amount concerned, £110, has been issued to the claimant.