Michael Ring
Question:177 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will consider back dating the pre-1953 pro-rata pension payment to the people who missed out on payments since reaching pension age. [29940/00]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
The special measure which I introduced in the Social Welfare Act, 2000, is designed to give further recognition to contributions paid prior to 1953. The Act, provided for the introduction, from May 2000, of a special flat-rate old age (contributory) pension, payable at 50% of the maximum personal rate, to any person who became insurably employed prior to 1953 and who, due to the yearly average rule, failed to qualify for pension or qualified for a pension at less than 50% of the standard maximum rate (i.e. £48 per week from May). To qualify, a person must have paid at least 260 contributions which may comprise all pre-1953 contributions or a combination of pre and post 1953 insurance.
Affording recognition to pre-1953 contributions is a special measure which is primarily designed to benefit a particular group of people who would not otherwise qualify for a contributory pension or who could only qualify at a very reduced rate. I am satisfied that the arrangements I have put in place represent a reasonable response to the difficulties faced by this group.
Question No. 178 taken with Question No. 30.
Brendan Howlin
Question:179 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, a new one parent family payment book has been withheld for six weeks while his Department verifies a change of address; the further reason his Department refused to accept a telephoned and subsequently faxed message from the health board's local community welfare officer indicating that he had called on the claimant and verified her new address; the reason the Department's own local officer has failed to call on the claimant to verify her new address; if he will arrange to have this claimant's entitlement restored without further delay and ensure that her full arrears entitlement, including Christmas bonus, is paid immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29952/00]
The person concerned was in receipt of lone parent allowance at the rate of £92.70 per week, consisting of a personal rate of £77.50 and an allowance of £15.20 in respect of one qualified child dependant.
As part of a general review, a local officer of my Department sent a letter to the person concerned requesting her to attend an interview on 11 September 2000. However, the local officer was informed by the landlord of the premises that the person concerned had vacated the premises approximately eight weeks previously. My Department had received no notification of the change of address.
Payment was suspended with effect from 2 November 2000, until it could be established that she continued to be entitled to payment. This has taken longer than expected and, in the circumstances, payment of the allowance is being restored and arrangements made for payment of arrears including Christmas bonus. The Department's inquiries will continue and continuing entitlement will be reviewed again when these inquiries have been completed.
There is no trace of any fax from the community welfare officer on file. The community welfare officer dealing with the case did not send any fax to my Department and there is no record of any contact by him with the Department prior to the Deputy's question.
Question No. 180 taken with Question No. 30.