asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a contributory old age pension has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
725.
The person concerned attained age 66 years on 7 March 1982 and claimed old age contributory pension from my Department.
One of the conditions for the receipt of old age contributory pension requires a person to have a yearly average of not less than 20 contributions in order to qualify. The yearly average is calculated over the period from 5 January 1953 or year of entry into insurance, if later, to the end of the contribution year immediately preceding the one in which he attains pension age.
My Department's records show that the person concerned had a total of 485 qualifying contributions in the 28-year period from 5 January 1953 to 5 April 1981. As this is equivalent to a yearly average of 17 contributions, he does not qualify for an old age contributory pension.
The question of his entitlement to a non-contributory old age pension has been referred to the local social welfare officer for investigation.
726.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been out of work since mid-February, 1982.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment benefit as he does not fulfil the statutory contribution conditions of having at least 26 weeks of insurable employment or credited contributions during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981.
A claim for unemployment assistance has been accepted from him and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When the necessary inquiries are finalised his means will be assessed by a deciding officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the weekly means assessed against him.
727.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as the application was made eight months ago.
Extensive inquiries were necessary to establish the eligibility of the person concerned for unemployment assistance both in relation to the assessment of his means derived from farming and also his availability for employment.
The necessary investigations have now been completed and his claim has been allowed with effect from 8 September 1981. The current rate of unemployment assistance payable to him is £18.20, being the maximum rate of £69.55 weekly less means assessed at £51.35 weekly.
The person concerned is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue an order this week for encashment at his local post office paying all arrears of unemployment assistance due to him. Further payments of unemployment assistance will be made as weekly payments become due.
728.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The claim of the person concerned for a non-contributory old age pension, which was received on 14 April 1982, has been partially investigated by the social welfare officer. On completion of the necessary inquiries it will be referred to the local pension committee for decision. If the claimant is dissatisfied with the decision he will have a right of appeal against it.
729.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will clarify the position of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who left work last August and who had been signing on up until last month, without receiving any unemployment payment.
The person concerned did not claim an increase in the rate of unemployment assistance in respect of her three qualified children and consequently her claim was treated as appropriate to a person without dependants.
As the amount of means assessed against her exceeded the maximum personal rate of unemployment assistance payable, she was not entitled to payment.
However, the person concerned was recently written to and asked to call into the employment exchange dealing with her claim to have an application form for her dependants completed. When she does so her claim for assistance will be reviewed.
730.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied for sick benefit in January 1982, received three payments in February 1982 but since then has received no further payments; when payments will be resumed in this case; and when all the arrears will be paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 December 1981 and was paid to 23 February 1982 under her old insurance number. At that stage she was requested to furnish her RSI number and to quote this number on all future medical certificates submitted in support of her claim. As no further medical certificates were received from her, payment of benefit ceased. As a result of inquiries it has now been established that she is still incapable of work and, accordingly, a cheque for the amount of benefit due to 11 May 1982 was issued to her on that date.
731.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit in respect of the period mid-November 1981 to mid-January 1982 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 November 1981 but he was not entitled to payment as he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions to his credit in the governing contribution year 1979-80. Following inquiries it was ascertained that he had sufficient contributions to his credit in the 1978-79 contribution year to qualify him for benefit.
All disability benefit due on the claim from 10 November 1981 to 16 January 1982, after which date the claimant resumed work, issued on 10 May 1982.