asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has not been paid unemployment benefit since March 1980; and when this will be paid.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
355.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment benefit as he has been paid his maximum entitlement of 390 days benefit. In accordance with statutory contribution conditions he cannot requalify for unemployment benefit until he obtains a further 13 weeks of insurable employment after 25 April 1979 the date on which he had been paid 156 days of unemployment benefit.
The claimant has a record of intermittent employment since 25 April 1979. However his entitlement to unemployment benefit cannot be determined until current investigations into the appropriate insurance contributions payable in respect of this intermittent employment have been completed. It is hoped to have these inquiries completed in the near future.
Pending the outcome of the inquiries the claimant's title to unemployment assistance is being considered.
356.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has not been paid disability benefit since February 1980; and when this will be paid.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 15 May 1978 to 23 February 1980. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee, who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the decision disallowing payment of benefit after 23 February 1980 and, in connection with his appeal, was again examined on 21 May 1980 by a different medical referee who was also of the opinion that he was capable of work.
He was notified of the result of the second examination on 30 May 1980 and invited to set out, on a form supplied, the grounds for his appeal. On return of the form, duly completed, to my Department his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination.
357.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position regarding the application for a noncontributory old age pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
There has been no change in the position as stated in my reply to the Deputy on 5 March 1980 regarding the application of the person concerned. Confirmation of stamping of the Deed of Transfer of his farm is still awaited by the appeals officer.
I might mention to the Deputy that the question of deeds of transfer as it affects pension claims is under scrutiny in my Department. I am hopeful that as a result some revised administrative procedure can be introduced to speed up decisions in affected cases.