asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
238.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit for four separate periods between December 1979 and April 1980. Before payment could be authorised it was necessary to have inquiries made as to the number of contributions paid in respect of her in the 1978-79 contribution year, which governed her entitlement to benefit.
It was established that she had a total of 29 paid contribution and 23 credited contribution in the 1978-79 contribution year and payment has accordingly been made to her at the maximum rate of disability benefit applicable to a married woman in respect of these claims.
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.
239.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of an old age pension will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, who applied in November 1978.
The social welfare officer who investigated this case and recommended that no pension be paid on the grounds that the claimant's means exceed the statutory limit, has appealed against the local pension committee's decision to award full pension from 27 October 1978.
The appeal will be referred to an appeals officer as soon as my Department have been informed that the deed of transfer of the claimant's holding has been stamped.
As I indicated in reply to a question with a similar background last week, appeals officers, who are the final deciding authority in relation to claims to non-contributory pensions, normally require that a deed of transfer of land should be stamped before accepting it for the purpose of a claim.
In view, however, of the delays which can occur between signing and stamping I am having administrative procedures examined with a view to determining whether it is possible to expedite such payments.
240.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
A payable order for £50.40, representing all arrears of pension due in this case, issued on 25 March 1980.
241.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have disability and pay-related benefits paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned submitted a claim for disability benefit on 28 January 1980 in respect of an incapacity from July 1979 to December 1979. According to medical evidence received, she appeared to be suffering from an occupational disease.
The relevant regulations provide that a claim for benefit must be made within 21 days of the commencement of incapacity. However, following inquiries regarding the delay in making the claim it was accepted that there was good cause for the delay in this case.
A medical examination of the claimant was carried out on 2 April 1980. As a result of this examination it was accepted that the incapacity arose from the claimant's employment and it was decided, therefore, to treat the claim as a claim for benefit under the Occupational Injuries Acts. A cheque in payment of injury benefit due for the period up to 17 December 1979 has issued.
The claimant's entitlement to pay-related benefit is being examined and any payment due will issue as soon as the necessary inquiries have been completed. In the meantime she has also received payment of maternity allowance with effect from 31 March 1980.
242.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have unemployment benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary, as a matter of urgency.
The person concerned has not claimed unemployment benefit from my Department. A claim for maternity allowance in respect of a confinement expected on 22 March 1980 was received from her on 6 February 1980. The claim was admitted from 11 February, 1980, the commencement of the sixth week before the end of the week of expected confinement, which is the earliest date from which the allowance can be paid. Payment of maternity allowance and pay-related benefit was made to 29 March when, in accordance with the normal practice, payment was suspended pending receipt of notification of the date of confinement.
On receipt of a certificate indicating that the confinement had taken place on 31 March 1980, a cheque in payment of maternity allowance and pay-related benefit for the period up to 26 April 1980 was issued on 22 April 1980. Payment will continue up to 17 May 1980 when her entitlement to maternity allowance ceases.
Two maternity grants, on her own and her husband's insurance, have also been paid.
243.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have disability benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 December 1978 and was paid regularly each week in advance subject to the receipt of monthly medical certificates of incapacity. Payment continued to 16 February 1980 but was discontinued from that date as his doctor had certified him fit to resume work on 4 February 1980.
He subsequently submitted a medical certificate dated 22 February 1980 indicating that he was again unfit for work. In view of the earlier certificate of fitness to resume work payment could not be made until further medical evidence establishing a period of continuing incapacity had been received. He was advised accordingly and the additional medical evidence required was received on 24 April 1980. Payment of disability benefit for the period from 17 February 1980 to 3 May 1980, less the one week previously overpaid, has now been issued to him. He had actually resumed employment for that week and was accordingly not entitled to payment in respect of it.