asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit payment on a regular basis will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has forwarded six doctor's certificates but was paid benefit in respect of two weeks only.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
320.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 25 July 1983, in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 9 July 1983.
Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident he was awarded disability benefit from 14 July 1983, the fourth day of incapacity. Medical certificates were received at fortnightly intervals and payments of disability benefit were made accordingly to 10 October 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
The rate of benefit paid, £74.85 a week, was greater than his weekly earnings, £46.80, in the relevant tax year ended 4 April 1982 and accordingly he was not entitled to pay-related benefit.
Further enquiries are being made regarding the insurability of his employment in order to determine his entitlement to injury benefit.
A decision on the claim will be made as soon as possible.
321.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 September 1983 to 3 October 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received. Payment of benefit was not, however, authorised as according to the records of the Department he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited, in 1981-82, the contribution year governing his claim.
He was requested on 18 October 1983 to furnish details of his employment in the 1981-82 year and on receipt of a reply his claim will be reviewed.
Three medical certificates only were submitted in support of his claim and were received in the Department on 10 October 1983. The delay in the submission of the certificates resulted in the delay in dealing with the claim.
322.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability or occupational benefit has not been paid for 12 weeks to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 July 1983 to 17 September 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
A claim form only, dated 25 July 1983, which indicated that his incapacity commenced on 9 July 1983, was received in the Department but in the absence of medical certification payment of benefit could not be authorised. He was requested to furnish covering medical evidence on 24 August 1983 but medical evidence for the period 9 July to 8 September 1983 has not been received to date. Payment for the period 9 to 17 September 1983 was issued on 10 October 1983 on receipt of medical evidence in the Department on 27 September 1983.
He has again been requested to furnish medical evidence for the period 9 July to 8 September 1983 and on receipt of this information in the Department all payment due will be issued.
323.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has been waiting for payment for ten weeks.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 6 August 1983 to 3 September 1983 on the grounds that she left her employment voluntarily without just cause. She has appealed against the disallowance and her case has been referred to an appeals officer.
Further inquiries had to be made to establish that she fulfilled the conditions of being available for work from 5 September 1983 and these inquiries were recently completed. Her claim was allowed at the rate of £38.90 weekly and all arrears due were paid on 21 October 1983.
Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
324.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the irregular disability benefit payments to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit from 30 December 1982. Benefit is issued on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity and there has been no delay in the issue of these payments. The last three payments issued on 11, 19 and 24 October 1983.
325.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was discontinued on 15 September 1983, in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if it will be restored as a matter of urgency.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit due to 12 September 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received.
The claimant has been advised that if he is still ill and incapable of work he should forward medical certificates or alternatively a statement from his employer giving the period of absence from work since 12 September 1983.
On receipt of a reply his claim will be reviewed.