asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
365.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until enquiries to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for work had been completed.
Her claim was allowed at the maximum rate of £30.60 weekly. She is a postal applicant and an order for encashment at her local post office paying all arrears due issued to her last week.
Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
366.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an increase in non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the fact that he has no other income.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of old age pension at the weekly rate of £24.60. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of capital, the disposal of which was not accepted for pension purposes.
367.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was awarded a contributory old age pension with effect from 28 October 1983 at the rate of £71.15 per week, including an allowance in respect of his wife. This is the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 29 reckonable contributions calculated on the basis of his total of 874 such contributions in the average test period from 5 January 1953 to 5 April 1983.
He was not entitled to receive disability benefit as he did not have the required minimum of 26 reckonable contributions in the governing contribution year relevant to his disability benefit claim. Neither was he entitled to be allowed credited contributions for contributory old age pension in respect of the period for which he submitted medical certificates to the Department as there was an interval of more than two years from the date on which he last had a reckonable contribution to the date on which he first submitted such a certificate. The occupational injuries benefit rate contributions paid in respect of him from 1973 to 1979 are not reckonable for contributory old age pension nor for disability benefit.
A contributory old age pension order book was issued to the designated post office on 27 October 1983 for collection by him and he was notified accordingly.
368.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was allowed at the weekly rate of £25.15, being the maximum rate payable to her £28.00 less £2.85 means derived from the value of board and lodgings on her parents holding.
All arrears due were paid on 20 October 1983 and further weekly payments continue to be made to her as they become due.
369.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
It has not been possible to trace a benefit claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number of the claimant can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied.
370.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Arrangements have been made to pay all the arrears of unemployment assistance due to the person concerned in respect of the period 5 October 1982 to 27 September 1983 this week.
Weekly payments which commenced from 28 September 1983 continue to be made to him as they become due. The present rate of weekly unemployment assistance payable to him is £20.95, being the maximum rate £55.55 less means £34.60, derived from land and capital.
371.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 24 September 1983 that the person concerned was entitled to an old age pension at the rate of £10.60 per week from 21 July 1983. The social welfare officer appealed against the committee's decision on the ground that the assessment of the person's means, consisting of a holding, exceeds the statutory limit of £42 weekly. The case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination and the claimant will be notified of the outcome in due course.
372.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 16 March 1983 but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means, £34.80 weekly derived from land, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. He did not appeal against the amount of means assessed against him.
On 18 October 1983 he applied for a review of the assessment of his means. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for a re-investigation after which his means will be re-assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
373.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when two months children's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The claimant in this case received payment in respect of the child in question up to and including September 1983. An application for a further continuation of the allowance was received from the claimant and children's allowance at the rate of £11.25 per month was awarded in respect of the child with effect from October, 1983. An allowance book payable from that date was issued direct to the claimant's home address on 26 October 1983.
The claimant is now in receipt of allowance at the rate of £45.00 per month which is the correct rate payable in respect of her four qualified children.
374.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit for the past eight weeks will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned was requested to furnish details of her earnings between 6 April 1983 and the date her unemployment benefit claim commenced to enable her entitlement to pay-related benefit to be determined and this information was only recently made available to her local office.
Pay-related benefit at £10.05 weekly was allowed and all arrears due were paid last week.
Further combined payments of £44.85 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit will be made as weekly payments become due.
375.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit for the past eight weeks will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned was requested to furnish details of her earnings between 6 April 1983 and the date her unemployment benefit claim commenced to enable her entitlement to pay-related benefit to be determined and this information was only recently made available to her local office.
Pay-related benefit at £10.51 weekly was allowed and all arrears due were paid last week.
Further combined payments at £45.31 representing flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit will be made as weekly payments become due.
376.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people in County Limerick whose small farmers dole was suspended within the last six months; the number of cases on appeal at present; the numbers who have had their payments reduced; the number who have had benefit taken away altogether; and the number who have had their benefit increased.
The results of the factual assessment since May 1983 of the means of smallholders in County Limerick whose means had previously been notionally assessed were as follows at 30 September 1983: (a) In no case was payment of unemployment assistance suspended; (b) 27 applicants were awaiting the hearing of their appeals; (c) Payments were reduced in 51 cases; (d) Entitlement to unemployment assistance ceased in 70 cases; (e) Payments were increased in 14 cases.
377.
(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 claimed disability benefit from 11 October 1983 and was paid all disability benefit due from 14 October 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 24 October 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received.
378.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when occupational injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork, as he has been waiting six weeks for payment.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 10 August 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 23 July 1983.
Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident his entitlement to disability benefit on an interim basis was examined. On the record available he did not however satisfy the qualifying contribution conditions for disability benefit.
Following investigations, injury benefit was awarded from the date of the accident. A cheque for £415.16 was issued on 29 September 1983 in respect of the period to 21 September and payments have issued regularly in respect of the period to 18 October, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
To qualify for pay-related benefit with injury benefit, the claimant is required to have an underlying title to disability benefit. In its absence, the claimant does not qualify for pay-related benefit.
379.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork for the period 13 to 18 June, 1983; and if it will now be paid.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at £17.40 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, is issuing payment from 30 May 1983 to 18 June 1983. A cheque for £47.79 representing payment for this period was issued on 10 June 1983.
380.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit at the maximum rate is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and, if not, the reason.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit of £34.80 a week, the maximum rate appropriate to a single man with no dependants. Payment was suspended from 8 September 1983 owing to an administrative error. It has now been restored and all benefit payable from 8 September 1983 to 12 October 1983, the date of the latest medical evidence received, was issued on 28 October 1983.
381.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a disability benefit appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if the arrears up to 3 October, 1983 will be paid.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 4 February 1983 to 3 October 1983 after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and, in connection with his appeal, arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 7 November 1983. His entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
382.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
All disability benefit due to 15 October 1983, date of the latest medical evidence received, has been issued to the person concerned.
383.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was in receipt of disability benefit at the rate of £57.35 weekly when he was found to be fit for work by a medical referee and his claim was disallowed from 19 October 1983.
He claimed unemployment assistance on 20 October 1983. He was the holder of a qualification certificate with means assessed at £0.05 weekly. His claim was allowed at £50.70 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £50.75 less £0.05 means.
Payment of weekly unemployment assistance will commence this week and when the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which he received by way of an advance pending a decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance is known, the balance of any arrears due will be paid.
384.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will have the matter corrected.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution condition for entitlement to unemployment benefit on the basis of her Irish contribution record. Her British contribution record cannot be invoked for the purpose of her claim as she is not eligible for a transfer of contributions under the provision of the EEC regulations by reason of her last insurable employment being outside this country.
She is however in receipt at present of unemployment assistance at £29.25 weekly being the maximum weekly rate payable to her £29.40 less means £0.15.
385.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance and arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth, as she has no other source of income.
The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment assistance on the grounds that the means assessed against her, £33.00 weekly, exceeded the maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to her. Means were derived from the value of board and lodging on her parents holding.
She appealed against the amount of means assessed against her and her case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer upheld the assessment of her means at £33.00 weekly and she is not therefore qualified for unemployment assistance.
386.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Louth as she is due six weeks arrears.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 14 September 1983 and payment was issued from 17 September 1983, fourth day of incapacity, at the appropriate rate.
Payment for the period from 22 September 1983 to 26 October 1983 was withheld as the North-Eastern Health Board indicated that she was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance and it was necessary to confirm details of the amount of the allowance advanced before further payment could be issued.
On receipt of this information a cheque for the amount of benefit payable from 22 September 1983 to 26 October 1983, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid by the health board, was issued on 27 October 1983.
387.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath as all documents have been forwarded and as her husband died five months ago; the amount of pension due to her; and the weekly rate at which she will be paid.
A claim for a widow's contributory pension was received from the person concerned on 30 August 1983. Before the claim can be decided it is necessary to have inquiries made to ensure that the conditions for receipt of pension are fully satisfied.
The case is at present with the local social welfare officer for investigation and a report is expected within the next few days. A decision will then be given on the claim without delay and the widow will be notified.
388.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; the amount now due to him; and when it will be paid.
Following a re-investigation of his case the person concerned was assessed with nil means with effect from 15 June 1983 and an adjusting payment of £342.00 representing the balance of all arrears of unemployment assistance due was made to him on 27 October 1983.
Further weekly payments at the maximum weekly rate £28.00 are being made as they become due.
389.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the withdrawal of benefits in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if he is aware that he is most definitely incapable of work; and when a further appeal case will be granted.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 24 January 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against this decision and in connection with the appeal he was examined on 22 June 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work.
His case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals Officer decided that the claimant was capable of work during the period from 24 January 1983 to 2 August 1983 (the date of the latest medical certificate before him) and is not entitled to be paid in respect of that period. Medical evidence of incapacity has not been received since 2 August 1983.
The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment benefit since 28 February 1983.
390.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he applied approximately ten weeks ago.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 24 August 1983 to 26 September 1983 after which he ceased to sign as unemployed.
His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means and inquiries are still being made in the matter. When they are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
391.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be increased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £34.55 being the maximum rate payable to him £50.75 less means £16.20 derived from the benefit of board and lodgings on his son's holding.
He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case has been forwarded to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries. When these are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and the rate of unemployment assistance payable will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
392.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
One of the qualifying conditions for the receipt of deserted wife's allowance/benefit is that the claimant must make and must continue to make reasonable efforts, within the means available to her, to trace her husband and to prevail on him to contribute to the support and maintenance of herself and her children.
The deciding officer held that this condition was not satisfied by the person concerned and her claim was disallowed.
She appealed against the decision and her case was submitted to an appeals officer for consideration. He, however, requested additional information which necessitates further inquiries being made by the local officer. When these enquiries are completed the claimant will be notified of the appeals officer's decision without delay. Meanwhile she is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the North-Western Health Board.
393.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit will be determined as soon as inquiries which are being made at present to establish the insurability of his employment during the period 21 March 1983 to 29 July 1983 are completed.
He was advised that it was open to him to apply for unemployment assistance pending a decision on his unemployment benefit claim but he declined to do so.
394.
(Limerick West): asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is on an irregular basis.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 17 May 1983. Payment is issued on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity in the Department and on this basis payment to 29 October 1983 has been issued.
395.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has been signing at Navan employment exchange for the past ten weeks.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 15 August 1983 and her case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of her means. In the course of the investigation she was asked to furnish details of the household income to enable the value of her board and lodging to be determined but she failed to do so.
A further opportunity is being afforded to her to furnish the required information after which her means will be assessed and her entitlement to unemployment assistance determined accordingly.
396.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Meath who claimed disability benefit from 27 July 1983 has received no payment to date, apparently because his former employer (details supplied) failed to pay his social welfare contributions; and whether it is proposed to take any action against the employer in this case; and whether he will arrange that benefit be paid to him without further delay.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 22 August 1983 from 20 June 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 30 March 1983.
Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident, his entitlement to disability benefit on an interim basis was examined. He had no insurance contributions recorded in respect of the governing contribution year ended 5 April 1982 and accordingly he did not satisfy the qualifying contribution conditions. An inquiry which issued to the claimant for details of his contributions in the governing contribution year has not been replied to.
In reply to inquiries his employer indicated he was not satisfied that an occupational accident has occurred as alleged.
A social welfare officer has been requested to investigate the matter including the question of payment of employment contributions in respect of employment. The question of entitlement to benefit will be reviewed as soon as the report of the social welfare officer is received.
397.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he has been out of work for some time.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 15 September 1983. Inquiries are being made to establish whether as a landholder the claimant satisfies the contribution conditions in his case for the receipt of unemployment benefit. When these inquiries are completed his case will be determined and he will be advised of the result without delay.
398.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, as he has been signing for the past two weeks.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 18 October 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.
When the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
399.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was disallowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that she was not genuinely seeking work and accordingly she did not fulfil the condition for entitlement to unemployment benefit of being available for work.
She appealed against the disallowance and following an oral hearing of her case on 28 June 1983 at which she attended an appeals officer upheld the disallowance. She continued to sign as unemployed after 28 June 1983 but again her claim was disallowed by reason of not being available for work.
She ceased to sign as unemployed after 7 September 1983.
400.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Meath, who is married with three children, has been without an income for the past 11 weeks since his unemployment assistance was discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 10 August 1983 to 20 September 1983 and again for a period of six weeks from 21 September 1983 on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking work. In connection with a review of his claim the person concerned had stated that he had made no efforts to seek work and had not registered with the National Manpower Services.
He appealed against the disallowance on 19 October 1983 and arrangements are being made to have his case heard at the earliest opportunity.
He is at present in receipt of advances of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his appeal.
401.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The claim to deserted wife's allowance/benefit of the person concerned is at present with a local officer of the Department to have her husband interviewed. It is necessary to do this in order that his version of the circumstances which led to the break-up of the marriage can be obtained.
It has been arranged that the officer will call on the husband inside the next few days and when inquiries are completed a decision will be given and the claimant will be notified of the outcome without delay. Meanwhile she is in receipt of unemployment assistance from the Department.
402.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the non-payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 27 November 1982 following her examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She was informed of her right to appeal but she failed to do so.
She continued to submit medical certificates and she was examined on 24 August, 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered her to be capable of work. She was notified of the result of this examination on 29 August 1983 and was supplied with a form on which to set out the relevant reasons, if she wished to appeal. This form has not been returned to date.
403.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is entitled to a free electricity allowance.
The person concerned has been in receipt of a free electricity allowance since July 1981 and as he obtained a new residence earlier this year, the ESB terminated the allowance at the old residence and applied it at the new one.
As it appears, however, that the person concerned is still receiving electricity bills in respect of his old residence, further inquiries are being made by the Department in the matter and when these are completed he will be notified of the outcome.
404.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon and the reason for the delay in this case.
There is no record of receipt of a claim for a contributory old age pension from the person concerned. He does not, however, qualify for this pension as he fails to satisfy the condition which requires him to have employment contributions paid in respect of at least 156 weeks since he entered into insurance in 1973. The Department's records show that of his total of 407 contributions from 1973 to 1981 only 127 were paid in respect of insurable employment. The remaining contributions were credited contributions which are not reckonable for the purposes of this condition. He is in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate since 16 December 1981.
405.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid weekly to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 17 October 1983, date of latest medical certificate received.
Payment was issued on a regular weekly basis to 26 September 1983. From 27 September the person concerned quoted an incorrect RSI number on some medical certificates and consequently there was delay in issuing payment on these certificates. He has been advised to quote his correct RSI number on all future correspondence.
406.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for a widow's pension by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned, whose husband died on 19 January 1980, claimed a widow's non-contributory pension on 16 February 1983.
The claim was refused because her means, derived from the profits of a small business plus a British widow's pension and interest on capital and assessed at £51.96 per week, exceeded the then statutory limit of £36.00 per week for the receipt of such pension by a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children. The current statutory limit is £40.00 per week. She was notified of this decision on 21 June 1983 and of her right, if dissatisfied, to appeal against it. No appeal was received from her.
The local officer who investigated her claim stated in his report that her late husband was at one time an insured person under the Social Welfare Acts. Inquiries are at present being made to establish details of any such insurance which, if confirmed, may entitle the widow to a pro-rata pension under the terms of EEC regulations based on a combination of his British and Irish insurance records. On completion of these inquiries a decision will be given in the matter without delay and the widow will be notified.
407.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for a rent allowance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following the receipt of the necessary documentation relating to the claim on 7 October 1983, the person concerned was awarded a rent allowance with effect from 24 June 1983, the date on which her new rent was fixed by the court. All arrears have been paid and weekly payments are continuing.
408.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
It has been decided by an appeals officer on 4 October 1983 that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the maximum rate plus living alone allowance from 9 September 1982.
The appropriate pension books have now been issued and the arrears due in respect of the period 10 September 1982-30 September 1983 are in the course of issue.
409.
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 claimed unemployment benefit from 5 September 1983 but following the completion of inquiries to ascertain what efforts she was making to find work, her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment.
It is open to her to appeal against the disallowance of her claim. A form for this purpose may be obtained from her local office.
410.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate approval of a free electricity allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The ESB have confirmed that a free electricity allowance has been applied to the electricity account of the person concerned from the August/September 1983 billing period onwards. Notification of the approval of his application was issued to the person concerned on 4 August 1983.
411.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a decision regarding a free electricity allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
An application for a free electricity allowance was received from the person concerned on 25 October 1983. Further information is required before a decision can be given in her case. She has been asked to furnish this information and when her reply is received her claim will be further considered and she will be notified of the outcome.
412.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 10 November 1981. He has requested transfer to invalidity pension and the relevant claim form has been sent to him. On return of this form duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
413.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary as she has been ill since 26 August 1983; and when all benefits due will be paid to her.
The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit due from 30 August 1983, fourth day of incapacity, to 17 October 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received. She has been requested to furnish details of her earnings so that her entitlement to pay-related benefit can be determined.
414.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if this decision will be reconsidered.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance but an appeals officer, whose decision in the matter is final, upheld the disallowance of his claim. He ceased to sign as unemployed from 11 October 1983.
415.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any proposals to arrange a more flexible method in relation to means testing part-time fishermen who are in receipt of social welfare benefits in south west Donegal with particular reference to the Teeling-Kilcar areas.
When the means of a fisherman are being assessed for unemployment assistance purposes his profits from fishing are assessed on a yearly basis after allowance has been made for expenses and for good and bad periods. In addition it is provided in section 146(1) (b) (xi) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 that where the fishing is seasonal half of the first £120 annual profit and one-third of any profits between £120 and £300 can be disregarded in the assessment of his means.
There are no proposals at present to amend the provision in relation to the method of assessing the means of part-time fishermen.
416.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who applied on 18 August 1983.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 18 August 1983 and inquiries were undertaken to establish his contribution record. However he did not fulfil the contribution condition during the governing contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 and his unemployment benefit claim had to be disallowed.
A claim for unemployment assistance was accepted from him and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. It is expected that the inquiries will soon be completed after which his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
417.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a non-contributory pension claim will be reviewed for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the fact that she has divided her late husband's estate equally among her children.
It was decided by a local pension committee that the person concerned was not entitled to an old age pension on the grounds that her means exceeded the statutory limit. The claimant appealed the committee's decision and the matter was referred to an appeals officer for determination.
The appeals officer has requested further information in relation to the disposal of capital and proceeds from the sale of a company before giving his decision. When this information is received, the matter will again be referred to the appeals officer and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
418.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 14 September 1983 and was paid from 17 September 1983, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. Payment issue on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity and all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 24 October 1983, date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
419.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 19 October 1982 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an occupational accident. He submitted medical certificates in respect of the period to 2 November 1982. He was paid disability benefit on an interim basis and following the completion of investigations resulting from the accident he was paid injury benefit in respect of the period over and above the disability benefit already paid.
He also claimed injury benefit in respect of the period from 13 June 1983 to 6 August 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from a further occupational accident. Disability benefit was paid on an interim basis and injury benefit over and above the disability benefit paid on an interim basis was later paid for the period covered by the medical certificates received.
Following confirmation from the employers of the periods of absence cheques totalling £380.39 have been issued in payment of injury benefit due for the further periods of absence not covered by medical evidence including a period of absence from 25 March 1983 to 4 April 1983.
420.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be increased.
Following a re-investigation of his case the means of the person concerned were reduced to £11.90 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents home with effect from 28 September 1983.
Adjusting arrears of unemployment assistance due will be paid this week and further payments at £17.50 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £29.40 less means £11.90 will be made as they become due.
421.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as he has been signing for the past nine weeks.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until inquiries which are being made by a social welfare officer are completed. The social welfare officer is not satisfied that the applicant has fully disclosed his means but he is being afforded another opportunity to do so. His means will be assessed in the light of the outcome of the inquiries and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly. He is in receipt of advances of supplementary welfare allowance pending a decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance.
422.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit.
A claim for unemployment assistance was accepted from him and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. Inquiries are still being made to ascertain details of his income and when they are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
He is at present in receipt of advances of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance application.