asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the position whereby a single person over 18 years of age who is unemployed is subjected to a means test for unemployment benefit not on his own means but on that of his father or family is unjust; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to have the position rectified.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
283.
A single person living with his family who claims unemployment assistance is assessed with the value of board and lodging.
Each case is decided on its own particular merit and every assessment has regard to the standard of living of the household and the circumstances of the applicant. Where the father or head of the household enjoys a steady income the assessment is in the proportion of the net family income which is estimated to be devoted to the upkeep of the single person. Further, the assessment of board and lodging of a single person does not normally exceed 12½ per cent of the net income of the household in which he or she resides. It may, of course, be less particularly in the case of households with large numbers of dependants.
A single person, being provided with board and lodgings by a parent or family may, accordingly, qualify for unemployment assistance provided that the assessment of weekly means does not exceed the appropriate maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance which now stands at £20.40 in urban or £19.75 in rural areas.
I do not consider that these arrangements are unfair or unjust.
284.
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 11 December 1980 to 1 January 1981, after which date he was fit to resume work. All disability benefit due, less the amount reimbursed to the health board of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has been paid. When details of his earnings in the relevant tax year are available, pay-related benefit due, if any, will issue.
The delay in payment is due to the fact that one certificate only was received from him. It was necessary to make inquiries as to the period of his absence from work owing to illness before payment could be made.
285.
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 31 March 1980 and has been paid from 3 April 1980, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. All disability benefit due to 16 May 1981 has issued.
When he had completed the period of 52 weeks in receipt of benefit at the beginning of April 1981, inquiries were necessary to establish whether he was entitled to further payment. The delay arose in connection with the renewal of payment after the inquiries had been completed.
He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
286.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the balance of a maternity allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit in respect of a confinement expected on 7 February 1981 and was paid from 29 December 1980 to 10 February 1981. Payment after that date was held pending the receipt of notification of confinement. On receipt of the required certificate a cheque for the period 12 February 1981 to 21 March 1981 was issued on 15 April 1981.
The balance of pay-related benefit due also issued on that date.
287.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow.
The person concerned originally claimed disability benefit from 1 December 1980 to 22 February 1981 when he was certified fit for work. The final certificate was not immediately associated with his papers and in the meantime payment had continued up to 31 March. On inquiry it was discovered that he had only remained at work for two days when he was obliged to resume claiming benefit. The matter has now been rectified and the balance of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 5 May was paid on 6 May 1981.
288.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability payments to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin have ceased.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 January 1981 and has been paid from 20 January at the maximum appropriate rate. Payment of all disability benefit and pay related benefit due has been made to 1 May.
The delay in payment of benefit was due mainly to confusion about his RSI number on some of the medical certificates submitted in connection with his claim. The letter "O" at the end of the number was taken as the digit "O".
289.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the non-payment of disability and other benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford for a period in excess of seven weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 November 1980 and has been paid from 27 November, fourth day of incapacity to 7 January 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was paid at the maximum appropriate rate and all disability benefit due has issued.
When details of his earnings in the relevant tax year are available pay-related benefit, if due, will issue.
The delay in payment was due to the fact that he had no contributions to his credit in 1978 or 1979, the contribution years on which his title to benefit was based. Arrears of contributions have since been collected from the employer thereby enabling payment to be made.
290.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin no disability benefit has been paid since 14 March 1981; when proper payments will recommence; and when the arrears will be paid.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from March 1972 to March 1981. He received payment weekly but was only required to submit medical evidence of incapacity at monthly intervals. Payment ceased on 14 March 1981 as the latest medical certificate record on his behalf was for December 1980. The missing certificates which bore his insurance number instead of his RSI number were subsequently located. Payment of disability benefit has now been restored and the arrears, less amount reimbursed to the health board of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, issued on 5 May 1981. Payment of all disability benefit due has been made to 9 May 1981. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.