asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in having a pension adjusted (details supplied) in County Donegal, in view of the urgent need for this pension.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
380.
The person concerned had been in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension. Subsequent to the award to her of a widow's contributory pension and the recall of her old age pension order book, a renewal old age pension order book was inadvertently issued and continued to be cashed to 20 September 1979.
Widow's contributory pension has been in payment with effect from 21 September 1979. A payable order for arrears due, less payment of old age pension from the date of the award of widow's contributory pension and less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance received in the case has been issued.
381.
asked he Minister for Social Welfare the reasons sick benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly, since 28 June 1979.
The person concerned was not paid disability benefit at the commencement of his claim in the absence of his 1978 insurance card, on which his entitlement to benefit depended. Following inquiries in relation to the missing insurance card it has been accepted that contributions were paid in respect of his employment during 1978.
Accordingly his claim has been admitted for payment and a cheque in respect of all flat-rate disability benefit due from 28 June 1979 to 2 November 1979, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued. The person's entitlement to pay-related benefit is being examined and any payment due will be made as soon as possible.
382.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age contributory pension book will be renewed for a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned is an applicant for old age non-contributory pension. A pension order book at the maximum rate of £16.80 was issued to her on 6 November 1979 and arrears due are in course of issue.
383.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number or the estimated number of widows under 66 years of age who did not requalify under the free electricity scheme in 1978 following the death of their husbands but who continued to fulfil all other conditions of the scheme except the age condition.
The number is not known and it is not possible to give any reliable estimate.
384.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unmarried mothers allowance or disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who was informed on the 6 May, 1979 that she was to receive the unmarried mother's allowance but has not received same to date although she was paid disability benefit up to the 4 June 1979.
The application for an unmarried mother's allowance was received from the person concerned on 24 August 1979 in respect of a baby born on 6 May 1979. Following investigation of means she was awarded the allowance at the maximum rate from 10 May 1979, the Thursday following the birth of the child. An allowance book payable from 8 November has been issued and the arrears due from 10 May 1979 will be issued shortly. She was in receipt of maternity allowance from 12 March 1979 to 16 June 1979 and disability benefit from 9 July to 30 October 1979.
385.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a number of social welfare pensioners in the Dún Laoghaire constituency have not received their pension books for October and consequently have not been paid their pensions and if he will ensure that the books are issued without delay.
I am not so aware. If the Deputy would give details of any specific cases he has in mind I will have the matter investigated.