asked the Minister for Social Welfare why disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
275.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 December 1980 and has been paid all disability benefit due from that date to 16 May 1981. He quoted his social insurance number only on some of the medical certificates submitted to my Department in January, February and March 1981 and this resulted in payment issuing at irregular intervals. He also quoted three different RSI numbers in April and he has been notified of the correct number to use.
276.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether an applicant (details supplied) in Swords, County Dublin, is receiving full old age pension in view of his contributions under the British social security system.
The person concerned had a yearly average of 29 paid and credited contributions in the period from 5 January 1953 to 31 December 1978 and is being paid old age (contributory) pension at the rate appropriate to this yearly average. In order to qualify for the maximum rate of old age (contributory) pension a yearly average of not less than 48 is required.
The question of his entitlement to a British retirement pension is being dealt with by the British authorities. It is understood that they hope to finalise the claim shortly.
277.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why an applicant (details supplied) in County Dublin has not received any payment in respect of her claim for unemployment benefit since mid-February last.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit, not unemployment benefit, from 12 March 1981. It was necessary to verify the claimant's insurance record before payment could be made. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 7 May 1981 has now been issued.
278.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) who was made redundant on 4 March 1981.
An order paying all pay-related benefit due to the person concerned was issued to him on 8 May 1981 for encashment at his local post office.
279.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, who stamped a card for many years, is entitled to any social welfare benefit.
The last record of paid contributions for the person concerned was 1972 at which stage he had a total of 114 paid contributions to his credit. He subsequently received payment of disability benefit for a period of 52 weeks which is the maximum entitlement of a person having 26 paid contributions but less than 156 paid contributions to his credit. Furthermore, he has no contributions paid or credited since 1977 and, therefore, he is not at present entitled to further payment of benefit from my Department.
280.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not qualify for an old age pension.
The claim in this case has not yet been passed before the local old age pension committee for decision. A reply to an inquiry regarding the claimant's capital is awaited by the social welfare officer to enable him to finalise the means assessment. If a pension is recommended it will be put into payment on a provisional basis pending the local pension committee's decision. Should the decision be unfavourable, the claimant will, of course, have a right of appeal against it.
281.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability and maternity benefits, including arrears, will be paid to an applicant (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 March 1981 and all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 8 May 1981 has issued. Payment of maternity allowance is due to commence from 18 May 1981.
282.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 March 1981 and all disability benefit due from that date to 4 May 1981 has been issued. The delay in payment was due to the fact that he did not quote his RSI number on the medical certificates submitted to the Department after the first certificate dated 30 March 1981. The question of his entitlement to pay-related benefit is being investigated and any benefit due will issue as soon as possible.
283.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why social welfare payments have not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 December 1980 and all disability benefit and pay related benefit due to 13 April 1981 was issued. He was certified by his doctor as fit to resume work after that date. However, he has reported the non-receipt of a cheque for £70.85 which issued to him on 4 March 1981 and a replacement cheque has since been issued, following the completion of inquiries.
284.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person who is in receipt of a contributory old age pension but who is still in employment is obliged to make full pay-related social insurance contributions; is so, the entitlement that these provide; and, if not, the contributions that he must make and the cover that is then provided.
The ordinary class A rate of PRSI contribution does not apply to employed persons over 66 years of age. Contribution class J, which is the appropriate class for such persons, provides cover for occupational injuries and health benefit entitlements only. For the income tax year 1981-82 the percentage rates of PRSI contribution payable on earnings up to a ceilling of £8,500 in respect of class J are as follows:—
|
Men and women insurable at standard class rate. |
Women in receipt of social welfare widow's pension, deserted wife's benefit or social assistance allowance for deserted wives or unmarried mothers. |
Men and women who hold Medical Cards. |
||||||
|
Employee pays Health Contribution |
Employee pays no Contribution |
Employer pays Health Contribution |
||||||
|
J1 |
Employer |
0.30% |
J2 |
Employer |
0.30% |
J3 |
Employer |
1.30% |
|
Employee |
1.00% |
Employee |
Nill |
Employee |
Nill |
|||
|
Total |
1.3% |
Total |
1.3% |
Total |
1.3% |
285.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance has not been paid to an applicant (details supplied) in Balbriggan, County Dublin, since last February.
Confirmation of the date of birth of the person concerned is necessary before deciding entitlement to unemployment assistance. The applicant was written to and asked to furnish a birth certificate but to date has not done so. His case will be dealt with as soon as the necessary evidence is received.
286.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of a complaint of ill treatment by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in her efforts to obtain unemployment benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that the person concerned has complained of ill-treatment in the course of her recent claim to unemployment benefit. I am having the matter investigated and when inquiries are completed I will write to the Deputy about the case. In the meantime the Deputy might like to know that payment of unemployment benefit has been authorised and the claimant has been informed.
287.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in returning a children's allowance book to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Due to an error in filling, a claim for the extension of an allowance in respect of a child over the age of 16 years was overlooked in this case. I regret this. A payable order in respect of the arrears due issued on 11 May 1981.