asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance at the full rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who is a seasonal fisherman, and whose source of income has been virtually eliminated due to the restrictions and bans on salmon and herring fishing in the area.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
337.
The reason why the person referred to by the Deputy is in receipt of reduced rate unemployment assistance is that an appeals officer has determined his weekly means at £24.00 and he is being paid at the weekly rate of £8.45, which is the maximum rate applicable to a married man with two children residing in a rural area—£32.45—less the value of his means. If the claimant feels that his circumstances have changed since the date on which the appeals officer decided his case, it is open to him to apply at his local employment exchange to have his means reassessed.
As I announced recently to the House, it is proposed to increase from the beginning of April the level of the disregards of income which are applicable to seasonal fishermen applying for unemployment assistance, a measure which will be of benefit to the person concerned.
338.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 July 1979 to 8 August 1979. His claim was not admitted as he had no paid or credited contributions in 1978, the contribution year governing his entitlement to benefit in the period from June 1979 to May 1980. It has since been ascertained that his 1978 insurance card was received under an incorrect insurance number. The matter has now been rectified and a cheque in payment of the full amount of disability benefit due has been issued.
339.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
A claim for disability benefit in respect of incapacity for work from 15 January 1980 was received in my Department from the person concerned on 31 January 1980. Payment of benefit could not be authorised at that stage as he did not quote his social insurance number on the medical certificates. When, following inquiries, the social insurance number was obtained, payment of all flat-rate disability benefit due to the date of the latest medical certificate received, less the amount paid by way of supplementary welfare allowance, was made. The person's entitlement to pay related benefit is being examined and any payment due will issue as soon as the necessary inquiries are completed.