asked the Minister for Social Welfare why sick benefit has not been paid to a person (name supplied) in County Offaly.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
425.
The person referred to by the Deputy claimed disability benefit from 10 February 1978. He was not paid benefit as no contributions were recorded as having been paid or credited on his behalf in the contribution year governing his claim. It has since been ascertained that he had sufficient contributions in that year to qualify him for payment of benefit at the maximum weekly rate and all disability benefit due to the date of the latest medical certificate received has now been paid.
426.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why pay-related benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied two weeks ago.
Due to difficulties in communicating with the local office of my Department which is handling this case, it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested. As soon as information has been obtained I will write to the Deputy.
427.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have a contributory old age pension paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned will not attain old age pension age until 1987. Her late husband, who died on 25 February 1978, was in receipt of a contributory old age pension which included an allowance in respect of her. On his death, his pension continued to be paid to her for a period of six weeks ending on 13 April 1978. A widow's contributory pension at the maximum rate was awarded to her with effect from 14 April 1978 and a pension book payable from that date has already been sent to her.
428.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Arrangements were made for the payment of unemployment benefit to the person concerned on 7 April 1978.
429.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person in County Meath (details supplied) who met with an accident at work on 10 December 1977 and applied for benefit from that date, has not yet received the correct benefit; and whether he is entitled to pay-related benefit.
A claim for injury benefit was received on 29 December 1977 from the person referred to by the Deputy. The claim was in respect of an accident which was stated to have occured at his place of work on 9 December 1977. It was necessary to seek confirmation of the accident from his employer and, pending the completion of these inquiries, the question of entitlement to disability benefit was examined. According to his insurance record the person concerned did not have sufficient contributions to qualify for that benefit but, following investigations, arrears of contributions were collected and his entitlement to disability benefit was established.
Disability benefit was, accordingly, awarded to him on 13 March 1978 and has been in payment since that date. It has now been accepted that the claimant was injured in an occupational accident on 9 December 1977 and injury benefit has been awarded from that date. A cheque in respect of the injury benefit due to him, taking account of the disability benefit already paid, has now been sent to the claimant.
His entitlement to pay-related benefit is under examination.