asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
973.
The person concerned made a claim to unemployment benefit on 12 August 1981, but it has not been possible to give a decision on the claim because the claimant, who is a casual worker, has failed to provide satisfactory evidence of the periods during which she has been unemployed. The employer concerned has repeatedly refused to furnish information sought in the matter. Arrangements have been made to have the employers records examined as a matter of urgency by a social welfare officer with a view to establishing the precise dates of employment so that a decision can be given on the claim.
974.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who became ill on 23 November 1981; and if he will now make arrangements for payment.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 November 1981 to 3 April 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was not qualified for payment in November and December 1981 because he had not the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in the contribution year 1979-80 which governed that part of his claim. However, from 4 January 1982 his claim was governed by the contributions to his credit in the 1980-81 contribution year and he had sufficient contributions in that year to qualify for payment.
Payment of disability benefit was made for the period from 4 January to 15 January 1982 but due to an administrative error payment ceased after that date. The matter has now been rectified and arrears of disability benefit due to 3 April 1982 were issued on 11 June 1982.
The claimant is at present in receipt of unemployment benefit.
975.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned has been authorised and all arrears of benefit due less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him in the meantime will be issued to him this week by means of a pay order encashable at his local post office.
976.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned made an unemployment benefit claim in May 1981 and several repeat claims throughout 1981 and 1982. He did not, however, qualify for benefit in 1981 on the basis of his contribution record.
Payments of unemployment assistance in respect of the periods of unemployment in 1981, and of unemployment benefit in respect of the periods claimed during 1982, have been authorised and all arrears of benefit due, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him in the meantime, will be paid to the claimant this week.
977.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in Dublin has been receiving very irregular payments of disability benefit the reasons for this; and whether the problem has now been resolved.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 January 1982 and was paid to 24 May, date of latest medical certificate received. An examination of her claim shows that payments have issued promptly on the receipt of medical evidence of incapacity in the Department.
The claimant has been requested to submit the medical certificates as soon as possible after receiving them from her doctor so that payments can be issued to her regularly each week.
978.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit for the period 22 January to 8 March 1982 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 September 1981 and was paid to 22 January 1982, date of latest medical certificate received. She subsequently claimed maternity allowance from 8 March 1982 to 29 May 1982.
As the claimant has since furnished medical evidence covering the period from 23 January to 6 March 1982, a cheque for the amount of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due for that period was issued on 11 June 1982.
979.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
Unemployment assistance in respect of 15, 16 and 18 March 1982 will be paid to the person concerned next week.
980.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit which has been due since 22 March 1982 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned had been in receipt of disability benefit and maternity allowance for 52 weeks up to 29 March 1982. As she had been quoting two RSI numbers in connection with her claims payment was suspended temporarily from that date pending clarification of her insurance position. The matter has since been rectified and payment has been restored from 30 March 1982.
All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 13 June, date of latest medical evidence, was issued on 14 June 1982.
981.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit in respect of her confinement in February 1980. She was not qualified for payment as she had no contributions paid or credited in the 1978-79 contribution year and she was notified accordingly.
The claimant subsequently informed the Department that she had been employed from August 1978 to May 1979 but that the employer had not paid the contributions due in respect of her. Subsequent inquiries have confirmed that she was in fact employed during that period. Special credits, which have the effect of qualifying her for the payment of maternity benefit, have accordingly been allowed pending the payment of the outstanding contributions by the employer.
A cheque paying all maternity benefit due from 28 January 1980 to 19 April 1980 has now been issued.
982.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when benefit which is due in respect of an 18 month period will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 October 1980 and has been paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 19 June 1982. The first payment on the claim was not made until 20 April 1982 as he was not qualified for payment on his Irish insurance and it was necessary to obtain details of his insurance history in the United Kingdom, where he has been employed for a number of years, before the claim could be authorised.
As the claimant was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance during the period 13 October 1980 to 17 April 1982 the greater part of the arrears of benefit due in respect of that period were withheld and refunded to the North-Eastern Health Board to offset the amount of allowance advanced. A cheque for £701.93 which issued on 14 June 1982 represented the balance of the benefit due to him.
983.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit which is due from 24 December 1981, will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Armagh.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 December 1981 and was paid at the time from 28 December 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 26 January 1982, date of latest medical certificate received. He again claimed disability benefit from 15 April 1982 and following inquiries it was ascertained from his employers that he had remained incapable of work on his previous claim up to 17 February. An adjusting payment has therefore issued in respect of disability benefit due from 27 January to 17 February 1982. Payment has also been made on the second claim from 19 April 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 12 June 1982, date of the latest medical certificate received.
In addition all pay-related benefit due on both claims has issued.
984.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 May 1982 and was paid from 26 May, fourth day of incapacity, to 31 May 1982, the date of the latest medical certificate received. Further payments will be made on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity in the Department.
985.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is in receipt of the proper amount of old age pension.
Payment of non-contributory old age pension to the person concerned has been suspended pending a decision on a question for revocation of pension by the local pension committee. This question arises following a review of his case which has revealed that he did not disclose his full means at the original investigation of his claim. However, as he had some employment in Ireland in addition to working in the United Kingdom he is entitled to a pro-rata rate old age contributory pension under EEC Regulations amounting to £5.96 a week. The pension book, payable from 11 June 1982, has been issued to the designated post office and he has been notified accordingly. Any arrears due are being withheld pending clarification of the position of a possible overpayment in relation to the non-contributory old age pension.
986.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if all unemployment benefit has been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Entitlement of the person concerned to 312 days unemployment benefit was exhausted on 30 April 1982. This is the maximum period for which unemployment benefit is payable in the claimant's case. She has, therefore, received all benefit to which she is entitled.
987.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether disability benefit has been paid to a person (details supplied) in Balbriggan, County Dublin; if full PRSI contributions have been made on his behalf; and, if not the steps it is now proposed to take in this matter.
It has not been possible from the information supplied to trace a benefit claim in respect of the person concerned. If the RSI number or the social insurance number of the claimant can be quoted this would enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be given. In the meantime I am having the matters raised by the Deputy investigated by an outdoor officer of my Department.
988.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in Skerries, County Dublin, has received all the increases due to her in respect of her old age pension.
The person concerned has been in receipt of a widow's contributory pension since December 1952. She is at present on the maximum rate appropriate to a widow with no qualified children. Her pension was increased from £29.55 to £36.95 on 2 April 1982 consequent on the increases in social welfare payments provided for in the recent budget. She is also in receipt of an additional allowance of £2.50 per week, being over 80 years of age.
989.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a non-contributory old age pension has been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. The maximum rate of pension has been recommended and payment at this rate will be put into payment within the next week or so pending the decision of the pension committee.
990.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned is a university student who has been granted an exemption from lectures for the 1981-82 academic year with permission to take the examinations in June 1982. She left employment of her own accord because, she stated, the nature of the work was interfering with her studies. She claimed unemployment benefit on 31 March 1982. Her claim was however disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for employment.
It is open to the person concerned to appeal against the deciding officer's decision if she considers that she has grounds for doing so.
991.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is not being paid disability benefit.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 April 1982 to 31 May 1982, date of the latest medical evidence received. He was not entitled to payment however, as according to the records of the Department he has less than the required minimum of 26 contributions, paid or credited, in 1980-81, the contribution year governing his claim. He was informed of the position on 27 May 1982.
992.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid in recent weeks to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 March to 13 March 1982, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. Payment in respect of this period was inadvertently issued to an address at which he formerly resided. A duplicate cheque in payment of this claim has now been issued to him.
The claimant also claimed disability benefit from 21 April 1982 and all payments of disability benefit and pay-related benefit due on this claim issued promptly on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity up to 9 June 1982, the date of the latest medical certificate received. As he has again changed address since the commencement of the claim it is possible that he may not have received some of the cheques. A list of the cheques which issued has been sent to him and he has been requested to indicate the cheques which he did not receive so that replacement action can be taken.
993.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 September to 5 December 1981, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was paid disability benefit in respect of this period at the maximum rate appropriate to a single person together with the appropriate rate of pay-related benefit.
It now transpires that the claimant is a married man with five dependent children and an adjusting payment has accordingly been issued in respect of his wife and children. This payment would have been made in the normal course if he had completed and returned the claim form which issued to him at the commencement of his claim.
994.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying injury or disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who suffered an accident while working for the Department of Posts and Telegraphs on 5 May last; and if he will now arrange for payment.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 5 May 1982. Before a decision could be given on his entitlement to injury benefit it was necessary to make inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity. On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was due to an accident at work and the claim was allowed. An adjusting payment, representing the amount of injury benefit due for the period from 5 May 1982, date of accident, to 12 June 1982, date of the latest medical evidence received, less disability benefit already paid, was issued on 11 June 1982.
995.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in Skerries, County Dublin, has been granted a non-contributory old age pension.
The person concerned has been in receipt of a widow's contributory pension from my Department, at the maximum rate appropriate to a widow with no qualified children, since 20 November 1981. Her husband, who died on 7 October 1981, had been in receipt of an old age contributory pension which included an increase in respect of his wife and payment of this pension continued to be made to the widow for six weeks after his death. She will not reach the pension age of 66 until October 1986. The rate of widow's pension she is at present receiving is in any event greater than the rate of non-contributory pension that might be payable if she had reached pension age.
996.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when children's allowance payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
There is no trace in my Department of receipt of a claim for children's allowance in respect of the child concerned.
The appropriate form has been issued to the claimant for completion and when the completed claim form is returned it will be dealt with urgently.
997.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 April 1982 and has been paid to 7 June 1982, the date of the latest medical certificate received. The claimant's pay-related benefit entitlement is based on his earnings in the 1980-81 income-tax year. These were not available at the time of claim but have since been obtained. All arrears of pay-related benefit due on the claim to 7 June 1982 were issued on 11 June 1982.
998.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in paying disability benefit and arrears to a person (details supplied) in Dublin.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 February 1982 but submitted only one medical certificate. Payment of benefit was not made as, in the absence of continuing medical evidence, there was no information as to the duration of the incapacity. He has been requested to furnish further medical evidence and on receipt of this payment of benefit will be considered.
999.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will sanction an application for a free telephone rental from a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
An application from the person concerned for free telephone rental allowance has been approved by my Department and the Department of Posts and Telegraphs have been notified accordingly. Before the allowance can be applied to the telephone number quoted by her it will be necessary for her to become the registered subscriber in respect of that number. She has been advised of the procedure for doing this and when it has been done the free telephone rental will be applied to her account.
1000.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to process an application for a non-contributory old age pension for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The social welfare officer who investigated the claim of the person concerned for a non-contributory old age pension is awaiting details of capital held and documentary evidence of the transfer of a holding. On receipt of the necessary information the claim will be referred to the local pension committee for decision. If the claimant is dissatisfied with the committee's decision he will have a right of appeal against it.
1001.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to sanction a free electricity allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The free electricity allowance which applied to the account of the person concerned was terminated from May 1981, as his son who was not a person who came within the excepted categories for satisfying the living alone condition of the scheme was residing with him. A further application for the allowance was disallowed in November 1981 for the same reason.
Recent inquiries have confirmed that the pensioner's son resides permanently with him and it is not, therefore, possible to apply free electricity allowance to his account as he still fails to satisfy the conditions for entitlement.
1002.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to sanction an application for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned has been awarded invalidity pension from 1 July 1982. The pension book has been sent to the designated post office of payment for collection by him.
1003.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Unemployment assistance is not payable to the person concerned as the weekly rate of means assessed against him exceeds the appropriate weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case. His means are derived from profits from his farm.
1004.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he applied in September 1981.
To qualify for unemployment assistance a person must be the holder of a qualification certificate which is a statement of his means. The person concerned applied for a qualification certificate in September 1981 but was refused as he failed to disclose particulars of his means. He re-applied for a qualification certificate on 16 February 1982 and inquiries regarding his means are still in progress. When these are finalised a decision will be given on his application without further delay.
1005.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the weekly rate of £30.45 plus £15.30 adult dependant allowance has been recommended from 5 April 1982. A pension order book was issued on 11 June 1982 on a provisional basis pending the pension committee's decision.
1006.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned applied for a qualification certificate in December 1980 but his application was refused by a deciding officer on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. Representations made by the Deputy on his behalf in May 1981 were accepted as an appeal against this decision. An oral hearing of the case was held in Limerick in September 1981 following which the appeals officer decided further extensive inquiries were necessary in order to clarify certain aspects in relation to the means. These inquiries were recently completed and the appeals officer has assessed the person concerned with means of £33 a week. He is currently in receipt of unemployment assistance at the rate of £10.95 a week being the appropriate maximum rate of £43.95 less means £33.00 and all arrears due to him have been paid.
1007.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 7 October 1981 but his claim was refused on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the decision but the appeals officer whose decision is final upheld the deciding officer's decision. The person concerned was advised of the decision.
1008.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the application of a person (details supplied in Lissy-casey, County Clare, who appealed his social assistance allowance which was reduced in July 1980, will be paid.
The means assessment of the person concerned has been reduced to take account of a reduction in his capital and the amount of unemployment assistance payable to him will be increased accordingly. Arrangements have been made to have the necessary adjustment made in his weekly payments and any arrears due will be paid to him within the next week.
1009.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will be in a position to pay arrears of retirement pension to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9.
The person concerned attained age 65 years on 20 September 1981 and claimed retirement pension on 19 March 1982. He was in receipt of unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit up to 2 March 1982 at a combined weekly rate which exceeded the maximum rate of retirement pension to which he would otherwise have been entitled and, therefore, he was awarded the pension with effect from 4 March 1982, i.e. the Thursday following the date from which his pay-related benefit entitlement ceased. A pension order book containing orders valid for payment from 15 April 1982 was issued to the designated post office and he was notified accordingly. The arrears of retirement pension due for the period from 4 March 1982 to 14 April 1982, less the amount of flat rate unemployment benefit paid to him in that period, were sent direct to him by means of a payable order which issued on 2 June 1982.
1010.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It has not been possible from the information supplied to trace a benefit or invalidity pension claim in respect of the person concerned. If the RSI number or the social insurance number of the claimant can be quoted this would enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be given.
1011.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for a non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate to continue to be paid to a person (details supplied) in Moycullen, County Galway.
A recent review of the old age pension of the person concerned has revealed that her means comprising capital and value from a holding have increased substantially since the original investigation of her claim. As a result of the revised assessment of her means she is now entitled to pension at the rate of £16.45 a week only plus a living alone allowance of £2.70. A question for reduction of pension from the maximum rate of £34.45 a week must therefore be raised. In the meantime a pension book at the new rate has been issued to the pensioner.
1012.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a reduced non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Glenmore, County Kilkenny, as recommended by the local pensions committee some time ago.
The claim of the person concerned for a non-contributory old age pension, which was re-investigated at the request of the local pension committee, has been referred back to the committee for decision. Payment of a pension, including an allowance for his wife, with effect from 5 November 1981 at the reduced rate of £5.40 increased to £21.75 from 2 April 1982 has been recommended. The pension will be put into payment on a provisional basis, pending the pension committee's decision in the course of the next few days.
1013.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Tuam, County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 May 1982 and has been paid from 8 May 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 19 May 1982, date of the latest medical evidence received. He has been informed that if he was absent from work through illness subsequent to 19 May 1982 he should submit continuing medical evidence to enable further payment of benefit to be issued.
1014.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Ballinasloe, County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 August 1980 to 14 November 1981 and was paid regularly each week. At that stage payment ceased because he failed to continue to furnish medical evidence of incapacity after that date.
An inspector of the Department visited the claimant recently and he admitted that he had not been seen by his doctor since November 1981. He has accordingly been advised to visit his doctor immediately and to submit medical certificates of incapacity at monthly intervals. In the meantime payment of disability benefit has been restored from 5 April 1982 pending consideration of transfer to invalidity pension. The question of payment before that date will be reviewed when medical evidence is submitted by the claimant.
1015.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Inchicore, Dublin 8, who draws disability benefit at present will qualify for an invalidity pension; and if so, the amount of that pension.
The person concerned is not in receipt of disability benefit from my Department. It is understood that he is in receipt of a pension from Dublin Corporation, having retired on grounds of disability on 22 June 1981.
As a former permanent and pensionable employee of Dublin Corporation, this person was not insured for all the social insurance benefits. He was insured for widows' and orphans' pensions, deserted wife's benefit and occupational injuries benefits only. He does not, therefore, qualify for invalidity pension.
1016.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Bantry, County Cork.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned, made in December 1981, was disallowed by the local pension committee on 5 March 1982 on the ground that his means were not fully disclosed and his address was unknown. He made a repeat claim for pension on 6 May 1982 which has been sent to the social welfare officer for investigation. On completion of the necessary inquiries it will be referred to the pension committee for decision. If the claimant is dissatisfied with the decision he will have a right of appeal against it.
1017.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a telephone subsidy will be provided for persons (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There is no record in my Department of receipt of an application for free telephone rental allowance from the persons concerned. The appropriate form has been issued to them for completion and when the complete claim form is returned the claim will be dealt with urgently.
1018.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has not received any payment for the past five weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 April 1982 and was paid from 30 April 1982, fourth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 7 June 1982, date of latest medical certificate received, has issued. The cheques issued to the claimant on 6 May, 11 May, 26 May, 2 June and 9 June 1982. As it appears that the claimant did not receive some of those cheques a list has been sent to him and he has been requested to indicate which cheques were not received. On return of the list replacement cheques will be issued where necessary.
1019.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) who applied in January last; and the reason for the delay in paying benefit.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance from 4 January 1982. Before a decision was given on his application he withdrew it. It is understood that he has applied instead for a disabled person's maintenance allowance as this might be more favourable to him and that the application is at present being considered by the health authority. In the meantime he is receiving supplementary welfare allowance.