asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position in regard to an application for a widow's pension by a person (details supplied) in Dublin; and when she can expect to receive the pension.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
317.
The person concerned has been in receipt of a widow's contributory pension since 11 April 1980.
A pension order book at maximum rate, payable from 11 April 1980, was issued in March 1980 to the designated post office for collection by her.
It has been confirmed that the pension order book was collected at the designated post office by her.
As her husband had been in receipt of a retirement pension prior to his death payment continued to be made to her for six weeks thereafter. She was not entitled to widow's pension until the expiration of that period on 10 April 1980.
318.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that a person (details supplied) in Dublin has been refused a deserted wife's allowance and that she has been informed by the National Manpower Service that she is not eligible for Government employment because she is a deserted wife with no dependents; and if he will indicate whether she is entitled either to an allowance or to be categorised as available for work.
The person concerned was refused a deserted wife's allowance on the ground that she could not be regarded as a deserted wife under the regulations governing this scheme. The deciding officer held that she had not, as required by the regulations, made reasonable efforts within the means available to her to prevail on her husband to contribute to her support.
If documentary evidence is produced to prove that she has taken reasonable steps to locate her husband and to obtain support from him, it will be open to her to re-apply for the allowance.
The question of registration with the National Manpower Service is a matter for the Minister for Labour.
319.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Waterford.
The person concerned has no entitlement to disability benefit as according to the records of my Department he has no contributions paid or credited in the contribution years governing his claim. He has, in fact, no contributions paid or credited since 1976.
He has been asked to state whether he was insurably employed at any time since 1977 and, if so, to forward details of periods employed and the names and addresses of his employers. Arrangements will then be made to have the non-payment of contributions in respect of any such employments investigated.
When the investigations are completed disability benefit, if due, will issue.
320.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 2 February 1981 and was paid from 5 February, fourth day of incapacity at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit, and pay-related benefit, due, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the health board, has been paid to 21 March 1981.
The delay in payment was due mainly to the fact that he quoted his insurance number instead of his RSI number on some of the certificates submitted by him. In addition notification was received from the health board that he had been paid supplementary welfare allowance during the period of his claim. When details of the amount advanced were received payment of disability benefit was made.
321.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing a children's allowance book in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Due to a clerical error a children's allowance book in respect of an extended allowance for a child between the age of 16 to 18 years did not issue to the person concerned at the July 1980 renewal of books. I regret this.
An allowance book with orders cashable from February 1981 and a payable order in respect of arrears due issued on 20 March 1981.
322.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 11 February 1981 and was paid from 14 February, fourth day of incapacity. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 4 March 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. A cheque for the full amount due issued on 11 March 1981.
The delay in payment was due mainly to the change-over from the system of insurance number to RSI numbers for the purpose of the payment of benefit.
323.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit for the period from 25 July 1980 to 13 September 1980, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
As, according to the records of my Department, he had not the necessary minimum of 26 paid contributions since date of entry into insurance, he was asked, on the 7 October 1980 and 3 November 1980, to submit a statement from his employer giving details of his insurable employment prior to the commencement of his illness. To date this information has not been received.
On receipt of the required information payment of disability benefit, if due, will be made.
324.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the nonpayment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit in respect of the period 8 November 1980 to 17 January 1981, after which date she was certified fit to resume work. Payment was withheld to offset an overpayment in respect of a previous claim, when she was paid beyond the date of her final certificate. The amount of the overpayment has been fully recovered and a cheque for the balance due has now been issued.
The question of her entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and any benefit due will issue a soon as possible.
325.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the nonpayment of occupational injuries benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit for the periods from 18 March 1980 to 12 April 1980 and from 28 August 1980 to 1 November 1980 in respect of incapacity which he contended arose out of his employment.
Pending inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis for the full duration of both claims.
On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was in fact due to his employment. Payment of injury benefit was allowed from 18 March 1980 to 12 April 1980 and from 28 August 1980 to 15 September 1980.
Under the Social Welfare Acts payment of injury benefit is limited to a maximum period of six months from the date of commencement of the incapacity. Injury benefit accordingly was only payable up to 15 September 1980 and an adjusting payment covering the periods up to that date has been issued.
The delay in deciding the claim was due to the need to make inquiries which were necessarily prolonged in this case.
326.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the nonpayment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 December 1980 and was paid from 19 December, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit due has issued to 23 December 1980, after which date he was fit to resume work.
The delay in payment was due to the fact that a first certificate only was received from him. Inquiries were necessary to ascertain the period of absence from work owing to illness before payment of his claim could be authorised.
327.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability and pay related benefits to a person (details supplied) in Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit on three separate occasions since 9 September 1980 but he is precluded by regulations from receiving payment while he is a soldier serving with the Defence Forces.
He has in fact been overpaid a total of £421.00 because payment had been made before it came to light that he is a serving soldier.
328.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit in respect of the period 13 January 1981 to 16 February 1981. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has now been issued.
Delay in payment was due mainly to the change-over from insurance numbers to RSI numbers for the purpose of payment of benefit.
329.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Cork has not received full disability and pay-related benefits; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 31 January 1981 and was paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 4 February, fourth day of incapacity, to 18 February 1981. At that stage notification was received from the health board that payment of supplementary welfare allowance had been made to him.
When the amount of the allowance was ascertained the balance of disability benefit, and pay-related benefit due to 21 March was paid.
330.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of occupational injury benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned has not claimed occupational injury benefit from my Department.
He claimed disability benefit from 29 December 1980 and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 1 January 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 26 January 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
The delay in payment was due to the fact that he quoted his insurance number instead of his RSI number on his certificates.
He has no entitlement to pay-related benefit.
331.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 January 1981. He was paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 3 February, fourth day of incapacity, to 27 February 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. Payment of all disability benefit due has been made, cheques issuing on 2 March and 9 March 1981.
He has no entitlement to pay-related benefit due to insufficient earnings in the relevant tax year.
There was an initial delay in payment as some inquiries were necessary regarding his insurance record.
332.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in Cork; and when payment will issue.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 March 1981 and all disability benefit due from 7 March 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 18 March 1981 has been paid.
A first certificate only was received in my Department. As no payment is due on a first certificate, which is regarded merely as notice of the incapacity, it was necessary to await the receipt of further medical evidence before payment could be issued.
His entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and payment due, if any, will issue on completion of inquiries.
333.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who was injured at his place of work on 18 February 1981 had received no occupational injury benefit up to 16 March, 1981; if he will take steps to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
On 18 February 1981 the person concerned claimed injury benefit in respect of incapacity due to an accident at work on 16 February 1981. Inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity were necessary before payment could be allowed.
On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was due to an accident at work and the claim was authorised. Payment of all injury benefit and pay-related benefit due to 20 March 1981 issued on that date.
334.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a claim for disability benefit will be paid to an applicant (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 February 1981 and was paid from 27 February 1981, fourth day of incapacity.
Only one certificate was received from him in connection with his claim and on this certificate he quoted his insurance number instead of his RSI number. Following inquiries the period of his absence from work owing to illness was ascertained from his employers. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 7 March issued. He resumed work on 8 March 1981.
There is no record of a claim for disability benefit outstanding since December 1980.
335.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to an applicant (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned has been claiming disability benefit since 2 January 1980. As he had less than 156 contributions paid since his entry into insurance on 26 April 1976, his title to benefit is limited to 52 weeks. This period was completed on 3 January 1981.
He cannot qualify for further payment of disability benefit unless he resumes insurable employment and obtains one further paid contribution to bring the total of paid contributions by him to 156, the statutory minimum necessary for further payment of benefit. He was so informed on 14 January 1981.
336.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability and pay related benefits will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 January 1981 and has been paid from 15 January, fourth day of incapacity at the maximum appropriate rate.
Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has been made to 20 March 1981.
337.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when maternity and disability benefits will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
On 2 December 1980 the person concerned claimed maternity allowance in respect of a confinement certified as due on 3 January 1981. As she was at the time in receipt of disability benefit, payment of maternity allowance could not be made as these two benefits are not payable concurrently. Following inquiries, payment of all maternity allowance due from 24 November to 10 January 1981, less the amount of disability benefit over-issued to 9 December 1980, was made. On receipt of a certificate of the actual date of confinement or of the baby's birth certificate, the balance of the maternity allowance due will issue.
She subsequently claimed disability benefit from 3 March 1981 and all payment due to 20 March 1981, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has issued.
338.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
There is no record in my Department of receipt of a claim for disability benefit from the person concerned in respect of any period in June 1980. The Deputy was notified to this effect on 18 March 1980.
339.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 14 February 1981 and has been paid from 18 February, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has issued.
The delay in payment is due to the fact that he is quoting his insurance number instead of his RSI number on his certificates.
340.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have disability benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit for the periods 16 November to 23 November 1979 and from 14 December 1979 to 15 February 1980. He was not qualified for payment at the date of his claim because of insufficiency of contributions in 1978, the contribution year governing his claim. Inquiries were necessary to ascertain if he had additional employment in that year which would qualify him for benefit. When these inquiries were completed, it was established that he was, in fact, so qualified. Payment of all disability benefit due has now been made.
When details regarding his earnings in the relevant tax year are available pay related benefit, if due, will issue.
341.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have disability benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 16 February 1981 in respect of incapacity due to an accident at work on 16 February 1981. Inquiries were necessary as to the nature and origin of the incapacity before payment could be allowed.
On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was due to an accident at work and the claim was authorised. Payment has been made for the period of incapacity from 16 February 1981 to 28 February 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume employment, less the amount refunded to the Mid-Western Health Board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid in the period.
342.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have disability benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 February 1981 and has been paid from 13 February 1981, fourth day of incapacity.
Only one certificate was received from him in connection with his claim and on this certificate he quoted his insurance number instead of his RSI number. Following inquiries, his employers have confirmed that he has not returned to work. Disability benefit and pay-related benefit have accordingly been paid to 23 March 1981.
343.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit has not yet been established. Arrangements have been made to have the case finalised as quickly as possible.
344.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 January 1981 and all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due from 8 January 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 16 March 1981 has been issued.
There was no delay in the payment of disability benefit. The cheques issued normally on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity in my Department. There was some delay, however, in payment of pay-related benefit as his reckonable earnings for 1978-79, on which his entitlement to pay-related benefit is based, were not available. He was requested to obtain this information from his employers and on its receipt in my Department on 16 March 1981 a cheque paying arrears of pay-related benefit was issued on 20 March 1981.
345.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 18 February and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate from 21 February, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has issued to 18 March, date of the latest medical certificate received.
The delay in payment is due to the fact that he is quoting an incorrect RSI number.
346.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who applied some time ago.
The entitlement to unemployment assistance of the person concerned will be decided when the extensive inquiries which were necessary in the case have been completed.
These inquiries are now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a decision in the case will be made shortly.
347.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
A decision on the claim to unemployment assistance in this case is expected shortly. Extensive inquiries as to the person's eligibility had to be made which are now at an advanced stage.
348.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was paid the single man's rate of disability benefit from 18 to 29 December 1980 when, in fact he is married with four children; and when the arrears will be paid to him.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 December 1980 and was paid from 23 December, fourth day of incapacity, to 27 December, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. Payment was made at the personal rate only as at that stage he had not completed the claim form for increases for dependants. Payment in respect of his wife and children was made on 20 March 1981.
There was delay in associating this claim form in respect of his dependants with the relevant claim documents. His original claim was registered under his old insurance number whereas the claim for increases in respect of the dependants was registered under his RSI number.