asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of social assistance allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
790.
A payable order for arrears of the allowance for the period from 14 April 1983 to 25 May 1983, less deductions in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during that time, has now been sent to the person concerned.
791.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a full payment of occupational injury benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit on 11 February 1983 in respect of an accident at work on 8 February 1983. The claimant's incapacity was however not indicated in the medical certificate which was returned for completion. In the meantime a second medical certificate was received and disability benefit was awarded on the basis of that certificate from 21 February 1983. In error this date was entered on the computer system as a stop-date and as a result payment for one day only was issued.
Following completion of investigations resulting from the accident, injury benefit was allowed from the date of the accident. Injury benefit in respect of the period to 21 February 1983, (the stop-date) over and above the disability benefit already paid, was paid on 28 April 1983.
Injury benefit due in respect of the period from 22 February to 5 March 1983, after which he was certified fit to resume work, has now been paid. Pay-related benefit was also allowed from 23 February, the thirteenth day of incapacity and has now also been paid in respect of the period to 5 March 1983.
792.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow, as she has been signing for eight weeks.
To qualify for unemployment benefit a claimant must be making genuine efforts to find work. Following inquiries the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that in the absence of efforts to get work she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made for an oral hearing of her case on 27 June 1983. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
793.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 20 June 1983 was authorised at the appropriate weekly rate in his case of £65. Payment was made on the due date last week and weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
794.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as he has received only £47 in respect of three certificates sent to his Department.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 May 1983 and was paid from 19 May 1983, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum single rate to 28 May 1983 after which date he was certified as fit to resume work. The claimant indicated that he is married and he was issued with a claim form on 23 May 1983. There is no trace of the completed claim form having been received in the Department. A further claim form has been issued and on receipt of the completed form, giving details of dependants, any outstanding payments will be made.
795.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit at the maximum personal rate from 29 April 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 21 May 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 17 May 1983, nineteenth day of incapacity to 21 May 1983. He claimed an increase in benefit in respect of his wife and child who do not reside with him. The case has been referred to an inspector for inquiry and the claim will be reviewed on receipt of that officer's report.
796.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as she has been waiting for payment for over three months.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit as a postal applicant for three days each week during the period 3 February 1983 to 5 March 1983.
Inquiries, however, were necessary to establish her contribution record and these were recently completed. Her claim for days of unemployment during the period 3 February 1983-5 March 1983 was allowed at the daily rate of £4.64 and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week.
She left her employment after 5 March 1983 and signed as unemployed until 26 March 1983. She then ceased to sign until 17 May 1983 when she resumed signing as unemployed. Inquiries are at present being made to ascertain whether she fulfils the condition of being available for work. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit in respect of the intermittent periods of unemployment from 7 March 1983 onwards will be determined when these inquiries are completed.
797.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan as it was withdrawn on 14 September 1982.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 1 March 1982 to 14 September 1982 on the grounds that he was not unemployed during that period and an overpayment of £2,044.50 was assessed against him. The amount overpaid is being recovered by withholding current payments of unemployment assistance due to him. He has appealed against the disallowance of his claim and an oral hearing of his case has been arranged to take place on 30 June 1983. His case will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
798.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of an unmarried mother's allowance from January to March 1983 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
A payable order for arrears of the allowance for the period from 13 January 1983 to 2 March 1983, less deductions in respect of maternity allowance paid to her during the period, has now been sent to the person concerned.
799.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned applied for unemployment benefit on 29 March 1983 and, on the basis of his record during the period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 and pending assessment of the value of his farm, his claim was provisionally authorised at £75 weekly up to 7 May 1983 decreasing to £68.05 from 8 May when one of his children reached 18 years.
In this connection, a person who has a subsidiary occupation such as farming is not considered to be unemployed if the rate of remuneration from that employment exceeds £2 a day. The limit of £2 daily can be exceeded when the person has 78 paid contributions in the three contribution years prior to the claim. Following investigation, his means were assessed as being in excess of the £2 a day limit and as he had less than 78 contributions paid during the preceding three years his claim had to be disallowed. He has been advised of the decision and of his right to have it referred to an appeals officer.
800.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 5 April 1983, but as he did not have at least 13 weeks of insurable employment following the 156th day of his previous unemployment benefit claim in which he completed his full entitlement of 390 days on 20 October 1976, he was not qualified to receive benefit. He has applied for unemployment assistance and a social welfare officer will visit him shortly to assess his weekly means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
801.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the social welfare officer assessed a yearly income of £3,081 against a person (details supplied) in County Limerick while his professional accountant has submitted accounts which prove that his income is £2,576; and if he inquire fully into the situation and restore his unemployment benefit.
The means of the person concerned who was an applicant for unemployment assistance were assessed by a deciding officer as being in excess of the statutory limit, £3,681.60 per annum, following an investigation of the claim by a social welfare officer. The means were derived from the profit of his holding and were assessed in the normal way taking account of all income received by the applicant and deducting from it all expenses necessarily incurred in the running of his holding.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case was referred to an appeals officer with all the documents which he furnished in support of his case. The appeals officer upheld the assessment of means as being in excess of the statutory limit on 25 May 1983 and the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim continues to stand.
The decision of the appeals officer is final and can only be altered in the light of fresh evidence or new facts which were not available when the decision was made.
802.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will give a full breakdown on the means assessed against him.
Following an investigation of his case by a social welfare officer the person concerned was assessed with means at £42.30 weekly with effect from 1 June 1983. His means accordingly exceeded the maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £25.45 and his claim had to be disallowed. The assessment was upheld by an appeals officer.
Means in his case were derived from the profit of a holding which was transferred to him by deed from his father. In assessing his means account was taken of all farm income including the sale of stock and milk. On the expenditure side all expenses incurred in earning the income were taken into account such as the cost of feeding stuffs, fertilizers, veterinary expenses and hire of contractor.
803.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 7 February 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and was examined on 13 April 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work. His case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing on 11 July 1983. He will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.
804.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
805.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 804 and 805 together.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 17 November 1982 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. Following the completion of inquiries his means were assessed at £16.50 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home and from capital. Accordingly he was entitled to unemployment assistance from 17 November 1982 to 2 January 1983 at £8.95 weekly being the maximum rate £25.45 less £16.50. However, the payment of unemployment assistance due to him in respect of this period was over-looked when he claimed unemployment benefit. The matter was recently rectified and an order for encashment at his local post office paying all arears of unemployment assistance issued to him last week.
From 3 January 1983 he satisfied the contribution conditions for unemployment benefit and weekly payments at £31.65 are being made to him as they become due. However, his entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit is governed by the amount of his reckonable earnings during the income tax period 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981. According to the Department's records his earnings during this period amounted to less than £25 weekly and he is accordingly not qualified for pay-related benefit.
806.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a non-contributory old age pension was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will have it restored to its full amount.
A review of the entitlement of the person concerned revealed that his means, consisting of half the weekly value of his spouse's earnings, had increased. A question for reduction of his old age pension to £6.45 a week plus adult dependant allowance from 10 June 1983 has been referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the rate of £6.45 a week plus £3.30 adult dependant allowance is in payment to him pending the pension committee's decision. This is the rate appropriate to the latest assessment of his means.
807.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will restore unemployment assistance at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned applied for a review of the means assessed against him and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. When the inquiries are completed his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
In the meantime weekly payments at £12.75 being the maximum rate of £25.45 less means £12.70 continue to be made to him.
808.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and the reason for the delay.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance until 23 November 1982 when following a review of his case his application was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He appealed against the disallowance on 25 April 1983 but could not attend the appeal hearing on 25 May 1983. Arrangements have been made to have his appeal heard on 4 July 1983.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
809.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will restore it to the full rate.
The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit when he received 390 days' benefit following which he claimed unemployment assistance. He was assessed with means at £9.70 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents' home.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £15.75 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £25.45 less £9.70 and weekly payments are being made to him as they become due.
If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him 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.
810.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary, for a period between 27 September and 31 December 1982.
In order to determine the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit for the period in question inquiries were necessary to establish her insurance record in the contribution year from 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981. These inquiries have recently been completed and her claim has been authorised at the maximum rate of £31.65 a week for that period. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to her this week.
811.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free electricity allowance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The free electricity allowance which applied to the account of the person concerned was terminated in March 1983 on the grounds that the "living alone" condition of the scheme ceased to be satisfied in her case.
In view of information which has recently come to light, further inquiries are now being made in this case and her entitlement will be reviewed when these inquiries are completed. She will be notified of the outcome.
812.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick as he has appealed the rate he was receiving.
The person concerned applied for a review of his means and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. The social welfare officer is still making inquiries in the matter and the applicant has been requested to furnish details of the value of milk supplied to a creamery. When the inquiries are completed his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
813.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
The person concerned made a repeat claim to unemployment benefit on 1 December 1982 after receiving his maximum entitlement of 390 days unemployment benefit on 30 November 1982. His claim was disallowed on the grounds that he had no reckonable contributions in the governing contribution year 6 April 1980 to 5 April 1981. The class J rate of contribution which he paid during that year is not reckonable for unemployment benefit purposes. Following the completion of inquiries into the insurability of his employment in the year from 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 it has been established that he had a total of 41 reckonable contributions in that year and as a result qualified for unemployment benefit from the beginning of the current benefit year on 3 January 1983. Payment has accordingly been authorised at the appropriate weekly rate in his case of £30.50.
All arrears due will be paid to him this week and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
814.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a non-contributory old age pension has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
The claim of the person concerned for a contributory old age pension was rejected recently and the social welfare officer has been asked to investigate his entitlement to non-contributory old age pension. When inquiries have been completed, the claim will be referred to the local pension committee for decision.
If payment of a pension is recommended, it will be paid provisionally pending the decision of the pension committee.
815.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he applied approximately six weeks ago and his circumstances warrant assistance; and when payment will be made.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 12 May 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for a report on his means. Three calls to the applicant's home by the social welfare officer were necessary before he succeeded in interviewing the applicant about his means. The entitlement of the applicant to unemployment assistance will shortly be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
816.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old-age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay in payment.
There is no record of receipt of a claim for contributory old age pension from the person concerned. Payment of her late husband's retirement pension continued to her up to 26 May 1983, i.e. six weeks after his death on 16 April. She then automatically qualified for a widow's contributory pension at the maximum rate with effect from 3 June 1983.
Her widow's pension book was issued to the designated post office on 20 May 1983 for collection by her and she was notified accordingly.
817.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick as she applied approximately nine weeks ago.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and her case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of her means. Inquiries are still being made in the matter but when they are completed her means will be assessed and her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
818.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will be made.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 December 1982 and has been paid to 20 June 1983. Payments have issued on a regular basis on receipt in my Department of medical evidence of incapacity for work.
819.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if social welfare payments were made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned has received all payments of unemployment benefit and disability benefit, including relevant pay-related benefit, due to him. He has been asked to supply documentation which would enable his reckonable earnings in the 1978-79 tax year to be established. As soon as he supplies this documentation his pay-related benefit entitlement will be reviewed.
820.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment assistance as the means assessed against him at £36.40 weekly, derived from self-employment and the benefit of half his wife's old age pension, exceed the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him.
His case was recently reviewed and following an investigation by a social welfare officer, the assessment of his means at £36.40 was confirmed. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him, 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.
821.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension at the full rate is not being paid to a person (detail supplied) in County Cork.
An old age pension at the maximum rate of £34.45 per week is in payment to the person concerned.
822.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 January 1983 and has been paid to 15 June 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received.
Pay-related benefit was also paid from 2 February 1983, thirteenth day of incapacity, to 2 April 1983. However, regulations effective from 4 April 1983 provide that pay-related benefit is not payable where the total amount of disability benefit equals or exceeds 80 per cent of a claimant's average reckonable weekly earnings in the relevant income tax year, which in this case is the 1981/82 tax year.
Disability benefit in payment (£52.15) exceeds 80 per cent of the claimant's reckonable weekly earnings (£47.97) and he therefore ceased to be entitled to pay-related benefit from 4 April 1983.
823.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will restore unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who was in receipt of £36.35 per week and who is married with one child under age, in view of his very poor circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following an investigation of the means of the person concerned by a social welfare officer his means, derived from land, were assessed at being in excess of the statutory limit and his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed with effect from 20 April 1983.
He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
824.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying four weeks' arrears of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and when he will be paid the increase in respect of his wife for the period 11 December 1981 to 13 October 1982.
The person concerned has received his full entitlement to unemployment benefit with the exception of arrears of the allowance in respect of his wife from 11 December 1981 to 13 October 1982 which will be paid to him this week.
825.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment assistance restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that he is unemployed and is now genuinely seeking work.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed as he refused to accept employment.
He recently appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made for an oral hearing of his case.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.