Vol. 530 No. 3
223 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when persons (details supplied) in County Kildare will be granted their application for free schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3736/01]
In the case of the couple concerned, the husband re-applied for a telephone allowance in November 2000 as a result of their change of residence. This allowance has been approved with effect from 18 December 2000, the date on which the allowance ceased to apply at the previous address.
My Department has no record of an application from the couple concerned for an electricity allowance and free television licence. The Department has issued an application form to them now which they should complete and return if they wish to apply.
224 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork did not receive the maximum rate of disability payment while in receipt of same during the period 25 November 1999 to 22 January 2000. [3949/01]
In accordance with social welfare legislation, the weekly rate of disability benefit payable depends on the level of earnings a claimant had in the governing contribution year. In order to qualify for payment at the maximum rate a claimant is required to have reckonable average weekly earnings of £70 or more in the governing contribution year. A claimant with no reckonable earnings in the governing contribution year is deemed to have average weekly earnings of £25 and qualifies for a reduced payment of disability benefit.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 November 1999 to 22 January 2000. As he had no reckonable earnings in the contribution year governing that claim, namely 1997-98, payment was made to him at the reduced personal rate of £33 per week, the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case.
