Vol. 475 No. 7
217 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Social welfare if he will approve an application for invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in view of the fact that the applicant is aged 58 years and has been certified by his doctor that he will never work again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5884/97]
The person concerned, who is currently in receipt of pre-retirement allowance, made an application for invalidity pension on 12 February 1997. Invalidity pension may be payable subject to the requisite contribution conditions where a person is incapable of work and it is established that he is likely to be incapable of work for life.
In order that a decision can be taken in this case, the person concerned, who satisfies the contribution conditions, has been requested to submit medical evidence of his condition. On receipt of this the case will be examined to establish whether the medical requirements are satisfied. He will be notified of the outcome.
218 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that optical benefit is made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [5897/97]
The person concerned made a claim for optical benefit as a dependent spouse on her husband's insurance record. She has no PRSI record of her own.
In order to qualify on her husband's record, he would need to have 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in either of the two income tax years before reaching pension age — 1992-93 or 1993-94 in this case. He has no contributions in 1993-94 and, for 1992-93, he has 39 self-employed contributions. These contributions are not reckonable for optical benefit and her claim cannot, therefore, be allowed.
219 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have arrangements made for an oral hearing for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is claiming unemployment assistance in view of the fact that he was promised such a hearing over three weeks ago. [5898/97]
The person concerned reapplied for unemployment assistance on 2 December 1996 following completion of a community employment scheme and was paid at the rate of £56.30 per week. His means were subsequently reviewed, resulting in a reduction in his rate of payment to £9.30 per week, based on means derived from his spouse's earnings and farming income.
He appealed this decision and all relevant departmental papers were submitted to the social welfare appeals office. The case has been considered by an appeals officer who decided that an oral hearing of the appeal will be necessary. This will be arranged as soon as possible.
