asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay a contributory widow's pension and arrears to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as her application has been made for eight weeks.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
765.
The person concerned whose claim to widow's pension was received on 6 April 1983 has been awarded a widow's contributory pension, at the maximum rate appropriate to a widow under 66 years with four qualified children, with effect from 11 March 1983.
A pension book containing orders dated from 27 May 1983 was sent to the designated post office on 20 May for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. Arrears of pension for the period from 11 March to 26 May 1983 will be paid to the claimant shortly, after deduction of the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which she received from the South-Eastern Health Board during that time.
766.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit and pay-related benefit at the full rate has been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will outline the amounts paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 March 1983 and has been paid from 31 March 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 20 May 1983, date of latest medical certificate received. Due to an administrative error, however, he was paid at the rate appropriate to a single person instead of that for a married couple with four dependent children. Pay-related benefit was also paid from 11 April 1983 to 7 May 1983.
The appropriate rate of disability benefit due to the claimant £81.95 exceeds 80 per cent of his reckonable weekly earnings £56.98 and therefore he was not entitled to pay-related benefit.
An adjustment cheque for the arrears of disability benefit payable to 20 May 1983, less deductions in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced and overpayment of pay-related benefit, was issued to the claimant on 30 May 1983.
767.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit at the correct rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he has been out of work for some time and has been paid at three different rates.
The rate of pay-related benefit payable to the person concerned was governed by the condition that the total weekly flat-rate unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of an applicant's average weekly earnings.
During the period 9 December 1982 to 22 February 1983 the person concerned was in receipt of an income tax refund and the weekly rate of pay-related benefit payable to him had to be reduced from £38.81 weekly to £18.94 weekly.
When he exhausted 156 days of unemployment benefit inquiries were necessary to establish whether he had a total of 280 contributions during the seven contribution years prior to the commencement of his claim. His flat-rate benefit was reduced to £65.00 weekly pending the completion of inquiries. The inquiries established that he had the required number of paid contributions and the flat rate of unemployment benefit payable to him was restored to £75.00 weekly.
Since 4 April 1983 he is in receipt of a combined payment of £97.09 weekly representing flat-rate unemployment benefit £75.00 and pay-related benefit £22.09.
768.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to grant an ESB allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he is a non-contributory old age pensioner.
The ESB has advised that a free electricity allowance has been applied to the account of the person concerned from the May-June 1983 billing period onwards.
Notification of the approval of his application was issued to the person concerned on 28 April 1983.
769.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary on the grounds that she was unavailable for work as this is not the case and she can positively prove that she has tried to obtain work to no avail; and when unemployment benefit will be paid.
Following the completion of inquiries the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that as she was not making efforts to obtain work she was not available for work.
She recently lodged an appeal against the disallowance. Arrangements are being made to have her case heard at the earliest opportunity. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
770.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed, following the completion of inquiries about his means, on the grounds that his means, derived from the benefit of his wife's earnings, exceeded the statutory limit.
If he is dissatisfied with the assessment of his means it is open to him to appeal and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
771.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the decision will be reached in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 7 January 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 20 December 1982.
Following completion of investigations resulting from the accident he was paid injury benefit from the date of the accident and pay-related benefit from 3 January 1983, the thirteenth day of incapacity.
He was examined by a medical referee on 2 March 1983 and as a result the claim was disallowed from 1 March on the grounds that he was considered to be capable of work.
He appealed against the decision. In this connection arrangements have been made for an examination by a second medical referee on 9 June. The claim will be reviewed in the light of the result of the examination and a decision will be given as soon as possible. In the meantime the person concerned has been receiving unemployment benefit since 1 March.
772.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway from the date on which he was discharged from hospital as he is entitled to benefit from that date.
Following the illness of the person concerned he resumed claiming unemployment assistance and he was asked to furnish evidence showing that he was fit for work. He did so on 14 April 1983 and his claim was allowed from 15 February 1983 and all arrears due were paid on 21 April 1983.
Weekly payments of £17.85 being the maximum rate payable to him £30.85 less £13.00 means continue to be made to him as they become due.
773.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether an applicant (details supplied) in County Galway is eligible for dental benefit.
In order to qualify for dental benefit a claimant must satisfy certain contribution conditions, one of which requires persons over 23 years of age to have not less than 156 reckonable contributions paid at the date of the claim. The person concerned claimed dental benefit on 28 October 1982. According to the records of the Department only 97 reckonable contributions were paid on his behalf up to the end of the 1981-82 contribution year. From inquiries made it was established that he had no earlier employment and that a further 48 contributions were paid in the 1982-83 contribution year giving him a total of 145 contributions. The claim could not therefore be approved as the contribution conditions were not satisfied. The claimant and his dentist were notified on 26 April 1983.
When the claimant has 11 contributions paid in the current contribution year he will be qualified for dental benefit and should submit a further claim in respect of any treatment required after that date.
774.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 9 March 1982 to 4 September 1982. On the basis of her contribution record during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981 during which period she had 42 credited contributions only, payment of unemployment benefit was authorised at £21.55 weekly increased to £26.95 from 5 April 1982 and all benefit due was paid as weekly payments became due.
She was not entitled to pay-related benefit with her flat-rate unemployment benefit as she had no reckonable earnings during the income tax period 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981.
775.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when it is proposed to introduce legislation for the registration of certain designated health and social professions; the professions that will be included in the legislation; and the consultations that have been held about this matter.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the question of the non-insurability of doctors and dentists under the social insurance system. Representations have been received for the extension of social insurance to these two professions from representative groups and individuals associated with them. The matter is at present being examined and final decisions have not yet been taken.
776.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not been allowed an appeal against the decision to stop her disability benefit even though Deputy Allen was informed in March that her appeal would be heard within four weeks.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 28 February 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She has appealed against the disallowance and in connection with her appeal arrangements have been made to have her examined on 13 June 1983 by a different medical referee. Her entitlement to further payment of benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
777.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal in relation to the discontinuance of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
An appeals officer has reduced the means of the person concerned to £35.00 weekly derived from land.
Arrangement have been made for payment of all arrears of unemployment assistance due this week. Further weekly payments at £28.75 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £63.75 less £35.00 will be made as they become due.
778.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit and pay-related benefit due from 9 February 1983 to 13 May 1983 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 February 1983 and all disability benefit due from 12 February 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 14 May 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work, has now been issued.
He is not entitled to payment of pay-related benefit as he had insufficient earnings in the relevant tax year (1981-82) to qualify for payment.
779.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The person concerned has no social insurance contribution record and he is accordingly not qualified for unemployment benefit.
He is presently in receipt of unemployment assistance at £5.45 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £25.45 less means £20.00 derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parents holding.
780.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for free telephone rental by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Free telephone rental allowance has been applied to the telephone account of the person concerned since telephone service was provided on 19 August 1982.
781.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
To qualify for the maximum rate of unemployment assistance a person must be assessed with nil means. The person concerned is at present receiving unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £58.00 being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £63.75 less factually assessed means of £5.75 derived from land. He has applied for a review of his weekly means and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report. In the meantime weekly payments of £58.00 will continue to be made as they become due.
782.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has been signing for a long period.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 13 April 1983. Payment was allowed at the maximum rate payable to him £88.90 weekly up to 26 April 1983 and all benefit due to him was paid.
His claim from 27 April 1983 was however disallowed on the grounds that he was not making efforts to find work and accordingly he was not available for work.
It is open to him to appeal against the disallowance of his claim. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
783.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The insurance number quoted does not refer to the person concerned and it has not been possible to trace a benefit claim for him.
The claimant has been written to and requested to furnish his RSI number and details of his claim. On receipt of a reply the matter will be dealt with.
784.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of social welfare benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was assessed with nil means and his claim for unemployment assistance was allowed at the maximum rate of £50.50 weekly from 29 September 1982. All arrears due were paid to him on 25 November 1982 less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which had been advanced to him and had to be recouped to the local health board.
Weekly payments of unemployment assistance followed until 18 February 1983 when he ceased to claim and is understood to have resumed work until 11 May 1983 after which he resumed claiming unemployment assistance. Inquiries to ascertain if he has sufficient requalifying contributions paid for purposes of entitlement to unemployment benefit are presently being made. When they are completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit from 12 May 1983 will be determined.
785.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare (1) the guidelines used by his Department accessing means insofar as board and lodgings in the family home is concerned for rural applicants for unemployment assistance; (2) the number of applicants in County Galway who have been judged as not being entitled to any assistance because of the level of means assessed under this particular heading.
Where an applicant for unemployment assistance is receiving board and lodging in the family home the procedure in assessing the value of the board and lodging is to estimate the yearly value of the income from the farm and to divide the amount between all the dependant members of the household including the applicant on a weighted basis.
Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to enable the information requested by the Deputy in the second part of the question to be answered.
786.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is not being paid unemployment assistance at the full rate.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £10.00 weekly derived from fishing and from self-employment following a reinvestigation of his case by a social welfare officer.
Accordingly the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him is £15.45 weekly, being the maximum rate £25.45 less £10.00.
It is open to him to appeal against the amount of means assessed against him. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
787.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath as she has no source of income.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit.
She claimed unemployment assistance and her case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of her means. When the inquiries are completed her means will be assessed and her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.