asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
346.
The claim for unemployment benefit by the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for employment. The decision has been upheld by an appeals officer following an oral hearing at which the claimant attended. The appeals officer's decision is final in the absence of fresh facts or new evidence.
347.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason arrears of old age pension due to a person (details supplied) in County Meath for the period December 1978 to August 1979 has not been paid to him.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 10 September 1977 and was paid at the rate appropriate to a married man from 13 September 1977 to 11 December 1978. In connection with this claim he stated that his date of birth was 27 April 1914. When payment of benefit ceased he claimed old age contributory pension on 16 January 1979. At this stage it came to light that his correct date of birth was 27 April 1908. It also transpired that he had been living apart from his wife for a number of years. He therefore received payment of unemployment benefit including an increase for his wife amounting to £2179.55 to which he was not entitled.
On receipt of his claim for old age contributory pension in January 1979 it was decided to treat it as having been made on 10 September 1977 the date of his claim to unemployment benefit and to allow it from 10 June 1977 at the rate appropriate to a man without a dependant. Due to the onset of the postal dispute, it was not possible to have payment of old age contributory pension made to him until 3 August 1979. The total amount of pension due to him from 10 June 1977 to 3 August 1979 was £1766.70, resulting in a net overpayment of £412.85.
In the circumstances there are no arrears of old age pension due to him.
348.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 14 August 1979 but was not entitled to payment as the 1978 insurance card, on which his entitlement to benefit depended, had not been received in my Department. The contributions due by his employer in respect of him for the years 1976 and 1977 were also outstanding.
Following investigation by the local officer of my Department the outstanding contributions for the years 1976 to 1978 were collected on 19 May 1980. These contributions had the effect of entitling him to benefit, and payment of disability benefit for the period from 17 August 1979 (fourth day of incapacity) to 16 May 1980 was made to him on 26 May 1980. Two further payments of benefit after that date were issued on 29 May and 6 June 1980 on receipt of continuing medical evidence of incapacity.
The question of his entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and payment, if any, due will be made on completion of these inquiries.
349.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of benefit to a person (details supplied) who has been submitting medical certificates since 4 February 1980; and if he will arrange for the immediate payment of all money due.
Medical evidence of incapacity has been received from the person concerned in respect of the period from 17 March 1980 to 26 May 1980. He was not entitled to payment at the outset of his claim as the 1978 insurance card, on which his entitlement to benefit depended, had not been received in my Department. Following inquiries regarding the outstanding card it was established that he had sufficient paid contributions in that year to qualify him for benefit. Payment of disability benefit from 20 March 1980, fourth day of incapacity, to 26 May 1980, date of latest certificate received, has now been made.
There is no record of the receipt of medical certificates from the claimant for the period from 4 February to 17 March 1980. He has been requested to forward the necessary covering medical evidence of incapacity so that payment of disability benefit may be made in respect of this period.
The question of his entitlement to payrelated benefit is being investigated and payment, if any, due will be made on completion of these inquiries.
350.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
A deciding officer disallowed this person's claim to unemployment benefit on the grounds that she was not available for work. It is open to her to appeal against this decision and the necessary form for doing so may be obtained at her nearest local office.