Vol. 509 No. 4
284 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has for the retention by An Post of its contract to deliver social welfare payments through its network in view of EU requests to re-examine the Government's recent decision on this matter; if he will give a reassurance that An Post will retain these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20792/99]
290 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the position in relation to the extension of the payment delivery services contract with An Post from January 2000; whether the terms under which the existing contract will be extended have been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20488/99]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 284 and 290 together.
The contract between my Department and An Post under which certain social welfare payments are delivered at post offices will reach the end of its current term in December next. The Government decided in May 1999 to extend the term of this contract for an additional period of three years, 2000 to 2002, inclusive.
My Department has been in negotiation with An Post regarding the detailed business terms and conditions which will apply to this business arrangement during the period of the extension but these negotiations have not yet been finalised.
Certain legal issues regarding the extension of the contract have been raised with the EU Commission by a third party. A response to these issues is being prepared and will be sent to the commission in the near future.
285 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was assessed as being overpaid in view of the fact that he notified his local office of the times he worked; and if his benefits will be restored in full. [20279/99]
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance for a number of years based on a "Nil" means assessment.
A review of his means was carried out in February 1998. During the course of this review it came to light that he had been self-employed since 1991.
Efforts to interview the person concerned failed and his claim was forwarded to a deciding officer for decision. On 24 March 1998 his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means could not be determined.
This decision was appealed to the independent social welfare appeals office. The appeals officer formed the view that the person concerned was engaged in self-employment from 1991 to 1998 and that he knowingly failed to inform the Department of his earnings in that period.
286 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the case will be examined of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who was awarded a 70 per cent disablement pension and is granted 70 per cent of any increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20322/99]
Disablement pension is paid where a person has sustained a loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of an occupational accident. The amount of payment depends on the degree of disablement which is medically assessed.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the person has been assessed as being 70 per cent disabled. Accordingly, the disablement pension is paid at the rate of 70 per cent of the maximum rate – currently £68 a week.
The annual budget increases in reduced rate disablement pensions, as in the case of all other reduced rate contributory payments, is determined by reference to the percentage relationship between the reduced rate and the appropriate maximum rate of payment.
The disablement pension scheme differs from other weekly social welfare payments in that it is not regarded as a payment to replace lost income, but rather, a compensatory payment. Disablement pension can therefore, be paid in addition to any other social welfare payment which the person may qualify for, for example, disability benefit or invalidity pension. Furthermore, disablement pension is also paid where the person is working.
In the case in question, the person is also entitled to invalidity pension at the weekly rate of £75.20 in addition to his disablement pension. The invalidity pension attracted the full budget increase of £3 per week. Accordingly, the person in question received a combined budget increase of £5.10 last June, bringing his total weekly social welfare income to £143.20.
The question of future increases in invalidity and disablement pensions are matters to be decided in budgetary context having regard to the available resources and in the light of the Government's other priorities.
287 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the status of an appeal for farm assist for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [20386/99]
The person concerned was disallowed farm assist on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. An appeal against this decision was received in the independent social welfare appeals office on 6 September 1999. His case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of his appeal as soon as possible.
The person concerned will be advised of the date and venue for the hearing when the necessary arrangements have been made.
