asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a patient in Newcastle Sanatorium (name supplied) was informed last August that his payment for disability benefit was suspended pending investigations by the Department; that he made application to Wicklow Health Authority for payment under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations; that he was informed by the Authority that, pending the decision from the Department, they were not in a position to make any payments; and that this patient has no other income and has to depend on other patients for financial assistance; and if he will expedite a decision in this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wicklow Patient's Disability Benefit.
7.
The insured person referred to in the Question had been in receipt of disability benefit for a prolonged period when it came to the notice of my Department that a claim had been made to the local county council for abatement of rates in respect of his employment for a period during which he was paid benefit. This claim immediately raised doubts as to his entitlement to benefit and in accordance with normal practice, payment was suspended pending investigation of the alleged employment. The enquiries, which also involved the investigation of the non-payment of insurance contributions in respect of persons employed by the same employer, were necessarily prolonged. During these enquiries it was established that the insured person resided with the employer and for a number of years, while in receipt of disability benefit, had performed certain duties on the holding.
After full consideration of the circumstances of the case it has been decided that having regard to his age and general health condition the work which the insured person was capable of performing was mainly light work for which remuneration would not ordinarily be payable. Accordingly, he is being allowed to retain the benefit already paid to him and his current title to benefit is being preserved. I should point out that in accordance with the Regulations, benefit is not paid to a person without dependants, while he is an inmate of a hospital or institution but is allowed to accrue to his credit pending his discharge. He may, however, be paid advances to meet personal requirements while in hospital. Arrangements are at present being made to ascertain what amount this insured person requires to meet his personal needs so that advances of benefit may be made to him.
Is it a fact that the county health authority could have allowed him 7/- per week, pending the decision of the Minister's Department?
No. Quite frankly, I may say that grave fraud was suspected in this case and there was, therefore, no justification for making any advance until the matter had been cleared up.
Is it not usual, where inquiries are being made by the Department, that the health authority grants the allowance and subsequently deducts the amount so allowed? In this case, the man was entitled to 7/- a week but the county health authority refused to give him anything.
As I pointed out, there were strong grounds for suspecting grave fraud had been committed with the connivance of the person concerned. Until that matter had been cleared, it was not certain that the individual in question was entitled to any disability allowance at all.