asked the Minster for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of social welfare benefit to a person (details supplied) whose application from was rceived by his Department on 8 August 190.
Written Answers . - Social Welfare Benefits .
415.
: The person concerned has been claiming disability benefit since 31 may 1980. On the medical certificates and claim from submitted in connection with his claim he quoted his Revenue (RSI) number but did not indicate his social insurance number.
As it was not possible to trace his insurance record from the details furnished by him, it was necessary to have inquiries made regarding his insurance number. On completion of those inquiries, the first payment of benefit due issued on 10 July 1980. Payment of all benefit due has been issued subsequently, on receipt of continuing medical evidence of incapascity.
416.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the granting of an old age noncontributory pension to person (details supplied) in county cork: and whether the pension has now been granted.
: The pension claim of the person concerned, made in February 1980, was disallowed by the local pension committee in June 1980 on the grounds that her means, consisting of a holding, exceeded the statutory limit. In appealing against this decision in July, the applicant stated that she had transferred he holding to her son. Before referring the case to an appeals officer, however, it was necessary to acquire a certified copy of the deed of transfer and to confirm that it had beeen lodged for stamping. The applicant's solicitors supplied the necessary confirmation on 2 October 1980.
An appeals officer has since awarded pensio at the maximum rate. A pension order book has been issued and arrears due are in course of issue.
417.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether arrangements are now being made for the payment of maternity benefit to person (details supplied) in South West Cork.
: The person concerned claimed maternity allowance in respect of a child expected on 19 April 1980. Payment of the allowance could not be authorised as she did not quote an insurance number and there was no record in my Department that any insurance contributions had been paid in respect of her.
Inquiries were made in the matter and it was established that she had sufficient weeks of in surable employment to qualify her for payment of the allowance.
A cheque in payment of the allowance in respect of the period 10 March 1980 to 26 April 1980 has been issued. On receipt of a certificate of confinement or birth or baptismal certificate payment fo the balance of the allowance will be made.
The question of her entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investiged and payment, if any, due will be made as soon as possible.
418.
andMr. White asked the Minister for Social Welafare the total number of people in County Donegal whose (a) unemployment benefit and (b) unemployment assistance was either (i) reduced or (ii) withdrawn since 1 January 1980.
: Statistics are not kept of the number of person whose unemployment benefit or unempoyment assistance was either reduced or witdrawn.
419.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of an old age pension will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and the reason for the delay to date.
: The social welfare officer dealing with this case has appealed against the decision of the local pension committee awarding pension at the maximum rate. The appeal is on the ground that the claimant's means including capital, the disposal of which has not been satisfactorily accounted for, exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
The appeal is presently being dealt with by an appeals officer who has requested further information regarding the disposal of capital. On completion of these inquiries, the case will be finalised as quickly as possible.
420.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a deserted wife's allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin as she was deserted over 20 years ago and is unable to make any contact with her husband.
: The application of the person concerned for a deserted wife's allowance was disallowed by a deciding officer on the ground that she could not be regarded as a deserted wife under the statutory regulations governing this scheme. The deciding officer held that she had not, as required by the regulations, made reasonable effort within the means available to her to prevail on her husband to contribute to her support.
An appeals officer, following an oral hearing, decided that the person concerned is not entitled to payment of a deserted wife's allowance on the grounds that she has not made reasonable efforts within the means available to her to trace her husband's whereabouts and to prevail on him to contribute to her support and maintenance.
The appeals officer is, however, prepared to review his decision if the woman produces documentry evidence to prove that she has taken reasonable steps to locate her husband and,if she succeeded an locating him,to indicate what efforts she has made to obtain support from him.
421.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the application for free fual by a person (details supplied) in Dublin who is an unmarried mother living with her father, a pensioner occupying separate accommodation, well be greanted as the concession appears to have been withheld because of family circumstances.
: I am informed by the Eastern Health Board that vouchers under the national free scheme were issued to the person concerned on 15 October 1980.