Vol. 399 No. 7
91 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will alter the prescribed relative's allowance regulations to enable a relative earn a sum of not more than £30 per week and still qualify for payment for looking after an elderly relative.
From next October, I am introducing a new carer's allowance which will replace the prescribed relatives allowance. The new allowance will be payable at a higher rate, £45 per week compared to the existing prescribed relatives allowance of £28, and will be paid to a broader range of carers. The rate of payment will vary depending on the means of the carer. The allowance will be means tested and will be payable at a reduced rate, if appropriate, in cases where the carer has means of up to £44 a week.
92 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason full-claims as documented with regard to expenses, have not been allowed in the assessment of unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and the reason non-factual means have been assessed with regard to the sale of stock.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance for several years until 9 April 1989. Payment ceased from that date as a result of a decision by a deciding officer to the effect that his means, from beneficial occupation of the family holding, exceeded the maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to a single person.
The decision in the case was reviewed by an appeals officer in March 1990 following an oral appeal. However, the revised means assessment is still more than the maximum rate of unemployment assistance.
93 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding the unmarried mother's allowance application of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned has been awarded unmarried mother's allowance for herself and one qualified child at the maximum weekly rate of £61.90 from 8 March 1990.
An allowance book containing orders payable from 7 June 1990 has issued to her this week. Arrears due for the period 8 March to 6 June 1990 less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her for the same period, will be issued by payable order as soon as possible.
94 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is entitled to unemployment assistance or supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following investigation, the person concerned was disqualified by a deciding officer for receipt of unemployment assistance on the grounds that his means, derived from board and lodgings in his parents' home, exceeded the statutory limit of £42 which applies in his case. On 30 May 1990 he appealed against the decision and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for consideration.
95 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not been paid unemployment assistance for the past number of months.
Following investigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 29 August 1989 on the grounds that he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit.
He appealed against the decision and following an oral hearing of his case on 4 April 1990, an appeals officer assessed his weekly means at £31.30 from 29 August 1989. The means are derived from the value of board and lodgings on his brother's holding.
This assessment leaves him entitled to payment at the rate of £16.70 per week. Arrangements are being made to have his claim authorised for payment and all arrears due to him will be paid as soon as possible.
96 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason there are variations in the rates of unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit payable to person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The recent variations in the rates of payments made to the person are due to a revised means assessment which took effect from 2 May 1990 and an adjustment which had to be made from 21 May 1990 because his wife is now also claiming a social welfare payment. Currently she is being paid £55.90 by way of disability benefit and he is receiving £39.90 unemployment assistance each week. The combined entitlement of £95.80 includes increases for two dependent children.
Where a spouse is in receipt of one of a number of social welfare payments, including disability benefit, and the other is in receipt of unemployment assistance, the total amount payable to them is limited to the married rate of benefit or assistance whichever is the greater.
The person concerned has been assessed with revised means of £26.20 per week. The revised assessment does not affect the current rate of unemployment assistance while both spouses are in receipt of social welfare payments.
He recently appealed against the means assessment and the appeal will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
97 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin was recently refused free dental treatment for extractions; if he will arrange to reimburse this person for the payment made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The extension of the scheme to dependent spouses in 1987 was opposed by the Irish Dental Association, which advised its members not to sign the contract to operate the extended scheme. Last year the association, as part of its continued opposition to the extension of the scheme, called on its members to discontinue providing certain treatments for all insured persons. As a result, some dentists are imposing charges on patients for extractions, root treatments and dentures.
Any person who is asked to pay charges which are not due should refuse to do so and report the matter to my Department. There is, however, no provision within the scheme whereby patients who proceed with treatment and pay such charges can be reimbursed. The person concerned did not submit a claim for dental benefit in respect of the treatment involved.
