Vol. 486 No. 3
226 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason for the long delay from 21 November 1997 to 28 February 1998 in calculating the deduction of supplementary welfare to enable the payment of orphan's allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if this matter will be expedited in view of the circumstances of the family involved. [2521/98]
The application in this case took longer to process than normal, due to a number of factors. The deciding officer considered it necessary to refer the claim to an investigation officer for inquiries before making a decision and this process gave rise to delay. The claim form itself was unsigned and this had to be returned for signature. Also, there were overlapping payments being made in respect of the orphan in question which had to be adjusted before the net amount of arrears due could be finalised.
The claim was decided on 26 January 1998 when an orphan's contributory allowance of £45.60 per week was awarded for the period from 25 July to 29 August 1997 inclusive, and from 17 October 1997 onwards. The child in question was in London from August to October 1997.
Arrangements have been made to issue the arrears of orphan's allowance to the person concerned this week, less the amounts of dependent child increase paid on her spouse's unemployment assistance in respect of the child, and less the supplementary welfare allowance paid to her on an interim basis. Further payments will be made by direct credit to her bank account, as she has requested, starting on the next normal lodgment date of 27 February 1998.
227 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason that persons who had been receiving long-term unemployment assistance, who then go on a FÁS course and then unemployment benefit, are not entitled to retain butter vouchers and free allowances; and his views on whether these persons are being penalised for taking up FÁS courses. [2701/98]
The position described by the Deputy arises from the extension of class A PRSI to community employment workers, which was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1996. The purpose of this measure was to enhance the PRSI status of community employment workers and to put them on a par with other class A workers.
In the case of persons who qualify or re-qualify for unemployment benefit their earnings in the relevant tax year will determine whether or not they receive a graduated rate or the full rate of unemployment benefit. Persons entitled to a reduced or graduated rate of unemployment benefit are entitled to claim unemployment assistance if it is more beneficial to them. However, long-term unemployment assistance is not payable where the claimant is entitled to full rate unemployment benefit. The social welfare secondary benefits, including butter vouchers and the free fuel allowance, are payable only with long-term social welfare payments. Unemployment benefit claimants do not therefore have an entitlement to these benefits.
228 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the procedure required for a person aged over 75 years to avail of the new companion travel pass, in view of the fact that this person is medically certified as unable to travel alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2703/98]
As announced in the last budget, from 1 September 1998 a person aged 75 years or over who is medically certified as unfit to travel alone will be eligible for a companion free travel pass. This type of pass allows the passholder to have any person aged 16 years or over accompany him or her free of charge when travelling on public transport.
To avail of the new concession, an applicant will be required to submit medical evidence from his or her doctor certifying that he or she is unfit to travel alone. The current free travel pass will also be required.
The necessary administrative arrangements to implement this change are being worked out and an announcement will be made nearer the operative date of 1 September 1998.
If the person the Deputy has in mind returns his or her current free travel pass with the required medical evidence to the Free Travel Section of my Department in the Pension Services Office, Sligo, in July next, his or her entitlement to a companion pass will be considered.
