Ned O'Keeffe
Question:207 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current position regarding an old age noncontributory pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Following a recent review of the case, the person concerned has been awarded a maximum rate of old age noncontributory pension from 19 October 1991 — the Friday following his 66th birthday.
A payable order book for £79.50 per week issued to his local post office for collection on 25 March 1991. This rate of payment includes a personal rate of £53 and an adult dependent allowance of £26.50 per week.
Arrears of pension amounting to £995.40 will issue to the person concerned within ten days. These arrears, in respect of the period 19 October 1990 to 22 March 1991, cover the difference between his original reduced rate pension and the revised maximum rate pension now awarded to him.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:208 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free fuel allowance has not yet been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
There is no record of an application for free fuel allowance having been received from the person concerned.
An application form has now been issued to her. As soon as this is completed and returned to my Department, her possible entitlement to this allowance will be determined.
Mervyn Taylor
Question:209 Mr. M. Taylor asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the entitlement to disability benefit of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 indicating the present position regarding her payments; whether an appeal is still pending; if the matter can be expedited in view of the urgent financial need of the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of disability benefit at £59.40 per week, i.e. personal rate plus half-rate dependent child allowance in respect of two children.
On three occasions she had failed to attend examinations by the Department's medical referee which were arranged to establish whether she satisfied the medical conditions for receipt of disability benefit. When she failed to attend a further medical referee examination on 24 January 1991, payment of disability benefit was suspended from that date.
A further medical referee examination was arranged for 8 March 1991. She attended on this occasion and the medical referee who examined her was of the opinion that she was not capable of work. As a result, my Department were satisfied that she was entitled to disability benefit from 24 January 1991.
All disability benefit due from 24 January 1991, less supplementary welfare allowance paid to her, issued on 9 April 1991.