asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in relation to a disability pension for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
915.
The person concerned attained age 66 years on 1 February 1982 and claimed old age contributory pension on 25 March 1982. He was awarded the pension at the rate appropriate to a married man with a yearly average of forty-four contributions with effect from 5 February 1982. He was also awarded an increase in pension in respect of his four qualified children.
An old age contributory pension book in respect of himself and his wife and a supplementary book in respect of the four children, each containing orders valid for payment from 7 May 1982, was issued to the designated post office and he was notified accordingly. The arrears of pension due for the period from 5 February 1982 to 6 May 1982 have been sent directly to him by means of a payable order.
916.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in relation to an old age pension application from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The only applicant for old age pension to whom the particulars furnished by the Deputy might refer has been in receipt of a maximum rate non-contributory old age pension including an allowance for his wife since 1980.
917.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Blanchardstown, County Dublin.
The person concerned has been claiming disability benefit continuously since 2 January 1981. He was paid up to 31 August 1981, after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee of my Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was again examined on 19 February 1982 and was also considered capable of work. He appealed against the decision and a further medical referee's opinion was obtained. On this occasion the medical referee considered him to be incapable of work and the claim was allowed from 19 February 1982. Arrears of disability benefit due from 19 February 1982, less supplementary welfare allowance advanced, were issued on 10 May 1982. Further weekly payments are continuing on receipt of medical certificates at monthly intervals.
The period 30 November 1981 to 18 February 1982 is still under appeal and arrangements have been made for an oral hearing of the case on 16 June 1982. The claimant will be notified of the time and place of the appeal.
918.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit which is due to a person (details supplied) in Palmerstown, Dublin, will be paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 January to 21 January 1982, after which date she was certified as fit to resume work. As disability benefit is not payable for the first three days of any such claim she was not entitled to payment of benefit for this period.
There is no record in my Department of any subsequent claim to disability benefit from this lady.
919.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin has not been paid disability benefit in respect of a recent claim; if he is aware that the person concerned has paid a number of stamps in the relevant contribution year and has submitted details to the employment exchange as to the relevant credits due to him for the same year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 20 April 1982 and has been paid from 23 April 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 1 May 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
Payment of benefit was not authorised initially as, according to the records of my Department, he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions, paid or credited, in 1980-81, the contribution year governing his claim. At the time of claiming his insurance record for the 1980-81 contribution year showed a total of four paid and 13 credited contributions. Following inquiries, which were protracted, it was established that he had a further 36 paid contributions which qualified him for benefit at the full appropriate rate. Payment of all disability benefit due was issued on 3 June 1982.
920.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will explain the position of a person (details supplied) in Dublin in regard to his eligibility for unemployment benefit or other payment in this case as the person had been in insurable employment in Great Britain for 12 years and has now returned home.
To enable UK contributions of the person concerned to be used for the purpose of qualifying for unemployment benefit, under the relevant EEC regulations he would require to have been insurably employed in this country prior to his claim. In the event of illness, however, and in the absence of insurable employment in this country since his return the UK authorities are the responsible authority and application for payment of sickness benefit should be directed to the Department of Health and Social Security, Overseas Branch, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. However, if he obtains insurable employment in this country and subsequently becomes ill or unemployed my Department would then be empowered to utilise his UK contribution record for the purpose of dealing with his claims.
The person concerned was visited by an Officer of my Department on 3 June 1982 who advised him about his eligibility for certain services of my Department. He subsequently lodged a claim for unemployment assistance on 3 June 1982 at his local Employment Exchange. His case will be referred to a social welfare officer for investigation after which his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be statutorily determined.
In the meantime it is open to him to claim supplementary welfare allowance at his local health centre pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim.
921.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is presently in receipt of deserted wife's allowance (£52.30) and as this amount exceeds the maximum rate of unemployment assistance which she would be entitled to, unemployment assistance is not payable in her case.
Her entitlement to unemployment benefit could not be determined until all the outstanding contributions payable by the employer were collected. The contributions in question were recorded under an incorrect insurance number but the matter was recently clarified and the contribution record of the person concerned amended accordingly.
The person concerned is entitled to reduced rate of unemployment benefit from 30 January 1981 until 29 April 1982 when she exhausted her title on the completion of 390 days. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of unemployment benefit due to her this week.
922.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 4 May 1982 and, following the completion of inquiries, it has been established that he satisfies the statutory contribution conditions for payment at the maximum rate of £31.65 weekly.
The person concerned is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue an order to him for encashment at his local post office paying all unemployment benefit due this week.
923.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Walkinstown, Dublin; and the reason for the delay.
The person concerned proved unemployment for two consecutive days in the month of April and continuously from 18 May 1982 at weekly intervals.
It was overlooked initially that he was the holder of a qualification certificate with a means assessment of £1.70 and inquiries were initiated to have his means investigated by a social welfare officer as if it was a first time unemployment assistance application. This action was subsequently terminated and his unemployment assistance claim was allowed at the weekly rate of £69.10 being the maximum rate £70.80 less means £1.70.
Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears of unemployment assistance due when he next calls to his local office.