asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the immediate payment of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway whose sole income at present is £9 per week unemployment assistance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
570.
The person concerned has been claiming unemployment assistance intermittently since July 1981 and her means are assessed at £20.00 weekly. The present rate of unemployment assistance payable to her is £1.00 weekly being the maximum rate of £21.00 less means of £20.00. She has expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of means assessed against her and she has been supplied with an appeal application form. When she completes and returns this form her case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination.
571.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will ensure that an old age pension will continue to be paid at the minimum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway and that the arrears are paid immediately.
A non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate was awarded to the person concerned from 7 October 1977. Pension order books continued to be issued to the nominated post office at each renewal date since then. When information was received from the post office that the books were not being collected by the pensioner inquiries were made at her former address but her whereabouts could not be ascertained. The first intimation of her present address was the information given by the Deputy in his question.
Arrangements are being made for the social welfare supervisor to call on the person who is handling her affairs with a view to having an agent appointed to collect the pension on her behalf and the arrears due will be paid as soon as the agent has been appointed.
575.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the immediate payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 October 1979 and was paid regularly from that date to 18 July 1981 but was only required to furnish medical certificates at monthly intervals. As, according to the records of my Department, no medical evidence of incapacity was received after 1 April 1981 payment ceased from 20 July 1981.
On inquiry the certifier has confirmed that the claimant has remained incapable of work since 20 July and payment has accordingly been resumed from that date. All disability benefit due to 12 December 1981 has been paid.
580.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned did not have the required number of contributions to be entitled to unemployment benefit at the date of her claim. However, inquiries to establish her employment record have been completed following which special credits have been allowed which have the effect of qualifying her for payment.
The person concerned is accordingly entitled to unemployment benefit at the weekly rate of £25.30. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to her, less advances of supplementary welfare allowance which she was paid, when she next calls to her local office.
581.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 8 December 1980 and was paid from 11 December 1980, fourth day of incapacity, to 22 December 1980, after which date he resumed employment.
Payment was originally made at the rate appropriate to a single man as there was delay on the part of the claimant in completing the claim form giving details of his dependants. The payments made to him were in respect of himself, his wife, and three qualified children and cover the full period of his absence from work as verified by his employers.
587.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the nonpayment of a children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Due to a clerical error an allowance book payable from July 1981 did not issue in this case. An allowance book payable from November 1981 was issued direct to the claimant on 14 December 1981. A payable order in respect of all arrears due for the period July 1981 to October 1981 was issued today.