asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
775.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 February 1983 and was paid from 3 March 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 14 March 1983, after which date he was certified as fit to resume work. He was also paid pay-related benefit for 14 March which was the thirteenth day of incapacity.
776.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of men in County Louth who have been medically examined by medical referees in (1) Drogheda and (2) Dundalk; the number of women who have been disallowed benefit in both centres; and the number of men who have been disallowed benefit there.
Figures in relation to (a) are only available in respect of periods since 18 October 1982.
From then to 3 June 1983 totals of 427 and 377 male claimants to disability or injury benefit were examined by medical referees at the examination centres in Drogheda and Dundalk, respectively. The corresponding figure for women was 697 and 274 respectively.
Statistics by area of residence are not maintained in the Department. Claimants are examined at the nearest available centre and most of the persons concerned would be from County Louth in the normal course.
The number of women who were considered to be capable of work following such medical referee examinations were 207 and 89 respectively.
The corresponding figures in respect of male claimants were 73 and 102 respectively.
Claimants who on examination are considered to be capable of work are disallowed further benefit on these grounds. The figures accordingly represent the numbers of claimants examined at the centres who were disallowed further benefit following examination.
Statistics are not available of any cases included where benefit may have been restored following an appeal against disallowance.
777.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit on 6 April 1983 when he received benefit for 390 days. He will not requalify for unemployment benefit until he resumes insurable employment for not less than 13 weeks.
He claimed unemployment assistance from 7 April 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. The inquiries were recently completed and he was assessed with nil means. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum rate payable to him £57.95 weekly and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week. Further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
778.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the application for an old age pension which was made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It has not been possible from the particulars supplied to trace an old age pension application from the person concerned in the records of the Department. If the Deputy could supply further details, particularly the person's pension reference number, the matter will be further examined.
779.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite the payment of benefit which is due in respect of the period 15 February to 2 March 1983 for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 8 February 1983 and was paid from 11 February 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 15 February 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
The claimant has been requested to furnish evidence of incapacity for work subsequent to 15 February 1983 and on its receipt his entitlement to further payment will be considered.
780.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will approve the payment of occupational injury benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick and have it backdated to 1 June 1982 when his accident took place.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit on 22 June 1982 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 1 June 1982.
He was paid disability benefit from 5 June 1982, the fourth day of incapacity, including increases in respect of his dependants. Pay-related benefit is not payable where the flat rate of benefit exceeds the reckonable weekly earnings which amounted to £52.94. This was less than the flat rate of benefit and accordingly pay-related benefit was not payable.
Completion of investigations arising from the accident was delayed through an oversight in the Department. Details of the accident were confirmed by the employers and injury benefit was awarded from the date of the accident to 29 November 1982, the maximum period of 26 weeks payable.
Payment has been made in respect of injury benefit over and above the disability benefit already paid during that period.
781.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit will be determined when the applicant's appeal against the amount of income assessed against his land is decided by an appeals officer.
An oral hearing of his appeal took place on 10 May 1983 at which the applicant attended. However, before making his decision the appeals officer requires that further inquiries be made in the case. His case has been referred to a social welfare officer for this purpose. When the inquiries are completed his case will be referred again to the appeals officer for determination.
In the meantime he continues to receive unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £35.50 being the maximum rate of £50.50 applicable in his case less weekly means of £15 derived from land.
782.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been on long duration disability benefit for over 12 months.
The regulations provide that the claimant, apart from satisfying the contribution conditions, must be regarded as permanently incapable of work, in order to qualify for invalidity pension.
The person concerned was examined on 12 May 1983 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred again for a further examination in six months' time. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of this examination. In the meantime he continues to receive disability benefit at the maximum rate of £75.00 appropriate to a married man who has three qualified children.
783.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid since 7 March 1983 to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he was called before the medical referee on 9 March and 25 May 1983 and found to be unfit for work, in view of the fact that it was most unjust to call him before the medical referee, due to his ill health; when all outstanding moneys will be paid to him; and if money will be backdated to 7 March 1983.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 January 1983 and was paid to 8 March 1983. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the decision to disallow his claim to benefit and in this connection he was examined on 25 May 1983 by a different medical referee who decided that he was incapable or work.
Payment was restored from 9 March 1983 and a cheque for the amount of benefit payable to 10 May 1983 was issued on 8 June 1983.
Further payments have been made to 24 May 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
784.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied approximately 14 weeks ago; and the reason for the delay in making payment.
The unemployment ussistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment as a painter, exceeded the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries about his means. When these are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
785.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit or assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he applied approximately five weeks ago; and the reason for the delay in making payment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 4 May 1983. However, he was unable to furnish any of the income tax forms P.45 or P.60 and had no RSI number covering the relevant period from April 1981 to April 1982, during which he stated that he was insurably employed. Inquiries are being made to establish his employment contribution record for that period. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined.
He has also applied for unemployment assistance pending a decision on his unemployment benefit claim. However, he has so far refused to disclose his means to the social welfare officer. He is being given a further opportunity of disclosing his means following which his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
786.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit for the last three weeks has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason for the irregularity in payments over the last year; and when payment will be made to her.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at £15.83 a week which is the rate payable to a person in receipt of a contributory widow's pension.
There was a delay, owing to an administrative error, in issuing payment from 30 May 1983. This error has been rectified and the outstanding payment was issued on 10 June 1983.
A previous error which had also resulted in delay in payment was corrected in October 1982. Payments since then up to 28 May 1983 were issued each week as they fell due.
787.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a pension will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
Investigation of the claim to pension of the person concerned will be completed shortly. Her claim will then be referred to the local pension committee for decision and she will be notified of the outcome.
788.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath who although unemployed since 3 December 1982 has been unable to obtain unemployment benefit or assistance and consequently has no income whatsoever.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit which provide that an applicant must have at least 26 weeks of insurable employment with contributions paid at the appropriate class since entry into insurance.
She is not eligible for unemployment assistance as she has not yet attained the age of 18 years. She has, however, been advised that it is open to her to claim supplementary welfare allowance and that application may be made to her local health board.
789.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 31 August 1982 and was paid to 1 February 1983 after which date he was certified as fit to resume work.
He was not entitled to pay-related benefit as the weekly flat-rate disability benefit payable in his case (£88.90) exceeded his average reckonable weekly earnings in 1980-81, (£48.80) the income tax year relevant to his claim.
790.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
An appeals officer has decided that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the ground that he has failed to establish that he fulfils the statutory condition as to means. He has failed to account satisfactorily for capital derived from the sale of a holding.
791.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason social welfare benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 29 January 1983 to 6 April 1983 after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
She appealed against the disallowance and in connection with her appeal arrangements have been made to have her examined by a different medical referee on 27 June 1983.
The claimant is currently in receipt of disability benefit from 15 April 1983 in respect of a different incapacity and all benefit due to 9 May 1983, date of latest medical certificate received has been issued. Her entitlement to payment of disability benefit from 6 April 1983 will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following the examination on 27 June 1983.
792.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit due from 9 March 1983 to 1 June 1983, date of latest medical certificate received.
He is not entitled to payment of pay-related benefit as he has no earnings in the relevant income tax year.
793.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned originally claimed disability benefit from 1 March 1983 and was paid from 4 March 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 5 March 1983, after which date he was certified as fit to resume work.
He subsequently submitted information to the effect that his incapacity commenced on 28 February 1983 and was therefore entitled to payment from 3 March 1983. However, due to an administrative error payment failed to issue for the extra day.
The matter has since been rectified and a cheque for the arrears of benefit payable was issued on 10 June 1983.
794.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's contributory pension at the weekly rate of £107.10 with effect from Friday, 27 May 1983. This is the maximum rate of pension payable to a person under 66 years with seven qualified children.
Her husband, who died on 12 April 1983, was in receipt of disability benefit which included an increase in respect of her and their children and this benefit continued in payment to her for six weeks after his death.
A pension order book with orders payable from 27 May 1983 was sent to the designated post office on 2 June, 1983 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly.
795.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 November, 1982 and was paid to 3 February 1983. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He subsequently submitted a final certificate which certified him as fit to resume work on 21 Februry 1983.
The claimant submitted a further claim for benefit with the same incapacity from 2 March 1983 and payment was not allowed pending an examination by a different medical referee.
The examination has been arranged for early July and his claim for benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
796.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 April 1983 and payment based on her insurance record for the 1980-81 year was issued for 52 weeks to 22 April 1983. Payment was suspended from 23 April, 1983 as according to the records of the Department the claimant has less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in the 1981-82 contribution year which governed her claim from that date.
It has since been confirmed that she had 37 credited contributions in respect of unemployment assistance for the 1981-82 year and all arrears from 23 April 1983 have now been issued.
She is in receipt of maternity allowance since 30 May 1983.
797.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying maternity benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
There is no trace in the Department of the receipt of the initial claim form completed by the person concerned. A duplicate form was recently received and all maternity benefit due to her has been issued.
798.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Inquiries were necessary to establish the contribution record of the person concerned during the governing contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 before his entitlement to unemployment benefit could be determined.
The inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at the maximum rate payable to him £31.65 weekly. All arrears due were paid to him last week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
799.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in sending some cheques for disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 April 1983 and was paid to 14 May 1983 after which date he was certified as fit to resume work.
In addition pay-related benefit was paid from 10 May 1983, nineteenth day of incapacity. There was no delay in issuing payments in this case.
800.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in taking a decision on deserted wife's benefit which was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The deserted wife's benefit in payment to the person concerned was terminated with effect from 21 November 1982 for the reason that she and another person were held to be living together as man and wife. As she continued to obtain payment while disqualified she incurred an overpayment of £793.10 which she was requested to refund.
She appealed against this decision and her case was submitted to an appeals officer. An oral hearing of the case has been arranged for Thursday, June 16, and she has been notified accordingly. Entitlement to benefit will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.