Vol. 500 No. 4
300 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the rules governing the free schemes; if he will extend the schemes to include other Department receipts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4199/99]
The free travel scheme is available to all people resident in Ireland, aged 66 years or over, to all carers in receipt of carer's allowance and also to certain people with disabilities under that age who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The other free schemes, such as free electricity allowance, free television licence and free telephone rental allowance are available to people, usually aged 66 or over, who are in receipt of a welfare type payment and who are either living alone or who otherwise satisfy this condition. In addition, widows and widowers between the ages of 60 and 65, whose late spouses had been in receipt of the free schemes, retain that entitlement. The free telephone rental allowance will be extended to all recipients of carer's allowance from August 1999.
301 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the work a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is deemed capable of by his Department in view of the fact his doctor refuses to give him a final certificate in order that he can return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4224/99]
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 5 December 1995 as a result of an injury to his elbow. His claim was disallowed from 8 January 1998 following an examination by a medical assessor of the Department who considered that he was capable of work. He appealed this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office and he was examined by another medical assessor who was also of the opinion that he was capable of work.
Following an oral hearing of his appeal an appeals officer determined that the person concerned was not incapable of work. The appeals officer noted that although the person's condition might prevent him from resuming his former occupation, he is not incapable of work within the meaning of social welfare legislation and had, in fact, worked for some months following the injury on light duties with his former employer.
Arising from representations from the Deputy, a further examination by a medical assessor was held on 25 January 1999. The person was again found capable and the appeals officer confirmed that there are no new facts or evidence as to warrant a revision of his decision.
