asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay to date in giving a decision on the occupational injuries claim by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford, when a decision will issue, and the reason for the reduced rate of pay-related benefit currently being paid to this person.
Written Answers. - Occupational Injuries Claim.
114.
A claim for occupational injury benefit was received from the person in question on 13 December 1979. Following completion of normal inquiries, the claim was allowed on 26 March 1980 with effect from 5 November 1979, the date of the accident. The delay in deciding the claim arose from a delay by the employer in replying to inquiries. Notice of the decision was issued to the claimant on 26 March 1980.
An interim payment of disability benefit was made pending a decision on the occupational injury benefit claim. All payments due to date in respect of injury benefit and pay-related benefit have been made.
The sum of weekly flat rate injury benefit together with pay-related benefit is statutorily restricted to the amount of average weekly earnings in the relevant tax year. When the flat rate injury benefit payable was increased from 7 April 1980 under the 1980 budget provisions the combined benefits exceeded the average weekly earnings. This had to be adjusted by means of a slight reduction in the rate of pay-related benefit payable.