asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will ensure that the four-week unemployment benefit due to an applicant (details supplied) in County Dublin is paid without further delay.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
384.
The person concerned is a postal claimant and he has been claiming unemployment benefit since August 1980. He attends at his local Garda station each week where the evidence of unemployment which he furnishes in support of his claim is certified by the Garda authorities.
He did not submit evidence of unemployment during the period from 17 June 1981 to 20 July 1981 which is required in accordance with statutory regulations. Consequently his claim to unemployment benefit during that period was not allowed. However, to enable further consideration to be given to the matter, I am arranging to have the person concerned interviewed and I will write to the Deputy again in the matter.
385.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will ensure that a widow's pension is paid without further delay to an applicant (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned claimed widow's pension on 29 July 1981 and was awarded a contributory pension at the maximum rate appropriate to a widow with no qualified child, with effect from 17 July 1981, the Friday following her husband's death. This rate was subsequently increased from 2 October 1981.
A pension order book containing valid orders from 17 July 1981 was issued on 24 September 1981 to the designated post office. It has been confirmed that the book has been collected by her.
386.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit from 18 June 1979 to 2 August 1980. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who considered him capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance of his benefit and he was again examined by a different medical referee who also considered him capable of work. The appeals officer to whom the case was referred upheld the decision that he was not incapable of work during the period 4 August to 30 September 1980, date of latest medical evidence before him, and was not entitled to be paid disability benefit. Representations by the Deputy, including a medical certificate dated 9 December, 1980, were submitted to the appeals officer for consideration but the latter indicated that there was nothing in these representations which would warrant a revision of his decision.
As the claimat has continued to submit medical evidence of incapacity arrangements have been made to have him examined by a medical referee on the 30 October 1981. On receipt of the result of his examination the claim will be reviewed.
387.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed a contributory widow's pension on 18 September 1981 following the death of her husband on 22 August 1981. According to the records of my Department the deceased husband of the claimant was first employed in this country in January 1978. On that basis the contribution conditions for a contributory widow's pension would not be satisfied.
As, however, the claimant's husband had been employed in the United Kingdom for more than 30 years up to 1977, the relevant papers have been forwarded to the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, so that entitlement to a British widow's pension may be considered. In the meantime, the question of entitlement to a non-contributory widow's pension from my Department is being examined.
388.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why her Department has not yet issued its decision on an application for a maternity allowance which was forwarded in November 1980 by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit in respect of her confinement on 17 December 1980. As, according to the records of my Department, she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid since her entry into insurance, she was informed she was not entitled to payment.
Following inquiries it has been established that she had additional insurable employment which had the effect of qualifying her for benefit. A cheque paying all maternity benefit due for the period 10 November 1980 to 31 January 1981 has been issued to her.
389.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Cork was never paid his unemployment assistance though it was sanctioned from 13 May 1981, but instead received a notice dated 30 September 1981 that he was being refused from 10 February 1981; if she will have the matter investigated and all moneys due paid.
In order to qualify for unemployment assistance, a person must satisfy a means test and must also be available for and genuinely seeking employment.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 10 February 1981 and following investigation his means were assessed at £11.20 a week with effect from 13 May 1981. However, a deciding officer disallowed his claim to unemployment assistance on the grounds that he was not available for and genuinely seeking employment and he was notified of this decision on 20 September 1981.
It is open to the applicant to appeal against this decision and I understand that he recently obtained an appeal form at his local office. When the completes and returns this form to my Department his case will be referred to an appeals officer for consideration.