Michael Ring
Question:326 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the areas where work is available for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [9474/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Michael Ring
Question:327 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be reassessed for disability allowance. [9475/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.
The disability benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 23 September 1999 after he was found capable of work by a medical assessor of the Department. He appealed against the disallowance and he was examined by a different medical assessor who also considered him to be capable of work. His case was then referred to an appeals officer who upheld the decision to disallow disability benefit. The decision of the appeals officer is final and can only be reviewed in the light of fresh facts or new evidence.
He continued to submit medical evidence of incapacity. He was examined by another medical assessor who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was notified of that decision on 19 January 2001.
In relation to finding suitable work, on 31 January 2001 the person concerned was issued with the names of the social welfare jobs facilitator and the FÁS placement officer in his local area.
However, on 29 March 2001, both offices stated that, to date, they had no record that the person concerned made an appointment with the jobs facilitator or registered with FÁS. They would be in a position to advise him of the full range of suitable options available locally in employment, self-employment, education, and suitable training courses.
My Department has no record of an application for disability allowance being made by the person concerned. I have arranged for an application form to be issued to him. On receipt of a completed claim form, a decision on entitlement to disability allowance will be made without delay.
Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Michael Ring
Question:328 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will qualify for a reduced contributory old age pension or pro-rata pension. [9476/01]
The person concerned is currently in receipt of a carer's allowance at the personal rate of £50.50 and a fuel allowance of £5 per week. According to my Department's records, he entered into insurable employment in 1977 and he has a total of 193 paid contributions. As a total of 260 paid contributions are required to qualify for a standard rate of old age contributory pension, he is not qualified on the basis of his Irish record.
He applied for a retirement pension at age 65. While his Irish record was insufficient to qualify him for an Irish pension, he qualified for an EU pro-rate retirement pension at the weekly personal rate of £29.50, based upon a combination of his Irish and UK insurance contributions. As this is less than the carer's allowance he is currently receiving and as both payments cannot be paid concurrently, the carer's allowance continues in payment to him. He has been notified of the position.
Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.