John Fahey
Question:61 Mr. J. Fahey asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will be issued with the over 80 allowance; and when arrears will be paid.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
The person concerned is in receipt of a widow's contributory pension at the rate of £60 per week. This is the maximum rate payable to a widow who is over 80 years of age. She also receives a living alone allowance at the rate of £4.10 per week.
She has been in receipt of the over 80 allowance since her 80th birthday in 1987. Consequently, there are no arrears of pension due to her.
Dermot Ahern
Question:62 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the pension of a person (details supplied) in County Louth is short £1.50 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is in receipt of a retirement pension at the rate of £60 per week. This is the appropriate rate of pension applicable to a person with a yearly average of 43 reckonable social insurance contributions. In addition he receives an adult dependant allowance of £7 per week.
In order to qualify for pension at the maximum rate of £61.50 per week, a yearly average of at least 48 contributions is required. The records of my Department show that the person concerned does not have any reckonable contributions recorded in respect of the years from 1964 to 1969. This is the reason for his reduced yearly average and consequently his faiure to qualify for pension at the maximum rate.
Tony Gregory
Question:63 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons (details supplied) in Dublin 1 have been refused a rent allowance; and if the matter will be remedied urgently.
Where assistance with rent costs is being sought under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme it is standard practice for health boards to request written confirmation from the landlord of the amount of the rent and that the applicant is a tenant. This is a normal requirement for control and audit purposes.
In this case the Eastern Health Board have indicated that it is unable to properly verify the ownership of the property or the rent of the accommodation in question. When this verification is available the entitlement of the person concerned to a rent supplement will be determined.
Should the applicant fail to secure the above verification from his landlord and wishes to seek alternative accommodation the board have indicated that it will assist him with the deposit on the new accommodation and examine his entitlement to a rent allowance in respect of it.