asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
267.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 August 1981 and was paid from 26 August 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 28 November 1981. Payment ceased as from that date in the absence of continuing medical evidence of incapacity. On receipt of the Deputy's inquiry the claimant's employers were contacted and it was confirmed that he is still absent from work owing to illness. In the circumstances payment of disability benefit has been allowed to 27 January 1982.
A form on which to claim an increase for dependants was issued to the claimant on 19 October 1981 but it was not returned to my Department. A duplicate form was issued on 25 January 1982 and on its return duly completed, payment due for dependants, if any, will be issued.
268.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrears of pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
A payable order for the arrears in question has been issued to the person concerned.
269.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if her Department will grant a free electricity allowance to a pensioner (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
An application for the free electricity allowance from the person concerned has been approved. The ESB have been instructed to apply the allowance to his account from the August-September 1981 billing period onwards.
270.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an application for an old age pension from a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the fact that the applicant's only asset and source of income is a 20 statute acre farm which was let last year for the sum of £450.
It was decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to a non-contributory old age pension as his means, consisting of the estimated weekly letting value of land, exceed the statutory limit.
However, as the particulars mentioned in the Deputy's question differ from those which were revealed at the investigation of the claim, I am having further inquiries made to establish whether there are any new facts which would warrant a revision of the appeals officer's decision.
271.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 3 December 1981 but was not qualified for payment at the time as, according to the records of my Department, he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid since his entry into insurance. Following inquiries it has been established that he had in fact sufficient weeks of insurable employment to qualify him for benefit. Payment of all disability benefit due to him to 9 January 1982, date of latest medical evidence received, less refund to the health board of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has been made. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit.