asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
397.
The person concerned was paid unemployment assistance while inquiries were undertaken to establish his entitlement to unemployment benefit. These inquiries are now complete and his claim has been authorised at £58.50 from 23 May 1983, increasing to £64.35 from 30 June 1983. An adjusting payment of £280.73 has been made to him.
He exhausted 156 days of unemployment benefit on 23 November 1983, and as he does not satisfy the contribution condition of having an average of 280 paid reckonable contributions over the seven year period prior to his claim, his claim has been rerated at £56.95 per week from 24 November, 1983. Further payments at this rate will continue as they fall due.
398.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal for unemployment assistance will be heard for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 9 May 1983 to 16 May 1983, from 7 June 1983 to 28 June 1983 and from 10 October 1983 to date. He withdrew his original application but following receipt of a further application his case was again referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. Following the completion of inquiries he was assessed with means in excess of the statutory limit derived from self-employment in the erection of haysheds. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer at the earliest opportunity.
399.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free travel card was not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
There is no trace of the receipt in the Department of an application for free travel from the person concerned. It has been confirmed, however, that she fulfils the conditions for free travel and a free travel pass has, accordingly, been issued to her.
400.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit at the maximum rate is subject to the condition that an applicant must have at least 48 contribution weeks registered in the contribution period governing his entitlement to benefit.
The person concerned has 39 contribution weeks registered during the period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 and accordingly he was paid reduced rate unemployment benefit at £32.25 a week up to 15 July 1983 when he exhausted 156 days of benefit. He did not, however, fulfil the statutory condition of having 280 paid contributions in a seven-year period and accordingly the rate of unemployment benefit payable to him from 16 July 1983 was reduced to £28.90 weekly.
401.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make immediate arrangements for the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare.
The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit on 16 November 1983 when he completed 390 days receipt of benefit. Although he was advised on numerous occasions to claim unemployment assistance before exhausting his title to unemployment benefit he did not claim unemployment assistance and he ceased to sign as unemployed after 16 November 1983.
It is open to him to claim unemployment assistance and to do so he should complete a form for this purpose at his local office where he is advised to continue to sign as unemployed. An application for supplementary welfare allowance pending a decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance may be made by applying to the community welfare officer at his local health board.
402.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. His means will be assessed as soon as the inquiries are completed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly. It is expected that the investigations will be completed shortly.
403.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Payment of disability benefit was disallowed to the person concerned from 5 December 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The claimant was informed of his right to appeal against the disallowance of benefit.
404.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will issue the first six weeks of a claim for unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 27 September 1983, but his claim was disallowed from 27 September 1983 to 6 October 1983 on the grounds that he left his employment voluntarily without just cause. Payment of unemployment benefit at £82.50 weekly was allowed from 7 October 1983. If he is dissatisfied with the decision in his case, it is open to him to appeal and to have the matter determined by an appeals officer.
405.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if on reconsideration he will grant a contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry having regard to the fact that her late husband was insured for the window's and orphan's pension up to the date of his retirement on reaching the age limit in 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Neither the person concerned nor her late husband satisfied the contribution conditions for contributory widow's pension. The employment of the husband as a national school teacher had been insurable but up to specified salary limits only. His salary between 1953 and April 1974 had exceeded the limit for insurability for all of that time with the exception of two weeks. Contributions were not payable, therefore, except for the two weeks mentioned and for a period of 13 weeks until he retired in June 1974 when the limit had been abolished. A form on which to claim noncontributory widow's pension, if she wishes to do so, has been sent to the person concerned.
406.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and following an investigation by a social welfare officer his means were assessed as being in excess of the statutory limit and his claim was disallowed. His means are derived from the profit from land and from a garage. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was again referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries. These were recently completed and his case has been submitted to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
407.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit at the maximum personal rates will be continued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 August 1982 and has been paid to date at the maximum appropriate rate for a married couple with two dependent children. From 2 January 1984 the claimants continuing title to benefit is based on his 1982-83 insurance record. Inquiries are being made concerning the claimants 1982-83 insurance record and when they are completed he will be informed of the position.
408.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is an unemployed person and an applicant for unemployment benefit. He was in receipt of unemployment benefit at the maximum rate payable £82.50 when he exhausted 156 days of benefit on 7 July 1983. He did not, however, fulfil the contribution condition of having 280 contributions paid in a seven year period and his rate was reduced to £71.55 weekly. Payments at this rate continue to be made to him as they become due. He is not qualified for pay-related benefit as the weekly rate of flat-rate unemployment benefit payable to him exceeds the 85 per cent limit applicable to his case, £68.11.
409.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the balance of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 May 1983 and has been paid to 20 September 1983 the date of the latest medical certificate received. A cheque for the amount of benefit payable from 17 August to 30 September 1983 was issued on 30 September 1983. Further payments from 31 August to 13 September and 14 September to 20 September 1983 were issued on 16 September and 30 September 1983 respectively. If the claimant contends that he did not receive these payments he should notify the Department immediately when the matter will be investigated.
410.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Payment of unemployment assistance to the person concerned was suspended as he refused to be interviewed by a social welfare officer for the purpose of investigating his means. He subsequently informed the social welfare officer that he was willing to co-operate and the case was returned to the social welfare officer for inquiries. The social welfare officer recently completed his investigation and his report is at present in transit to the Department's headquarters for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the investigation.
411.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a maternity allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed maternity benefit on 18 June 1983. She was entitled to payment under the general scheme for the 12 week period 23 May 1983 to 13 August 1983. She had, however, been paid disability benefit up to 20 June 1983 and, as maternity and disability benefits are not payable concurrently, she was only due full weekly payment from 21 June 1983 onwards together with an adjustment for the overlap period. All benefit due on her claim has been issued and a detailed statement of the individual payments is being sent to her.
412.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of pension at the maximum rate of £38.60 plus £24.55 dependent child allowance has been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 25 September 1983, when the claimant reached age 66. Pension books at the appropriate weekly rate are in the course of being issued to the pensioner and the arrears due will issue separately.
413.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 4 July 1983. His claim was authorised and all payments due to him have been made. He requested to sign the unemployment register for a period prior to his claim but this was disallowed on the grounds that he did not show that his failure to prove unemployment was due to circumstances outside his own control.
414.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of unemployment benefit recipients in County Galway who had their benefit withdrawn during 1983 and restored as a result of appeals.
Statistics are not maintained in a way which would enable the information requested by the Deputy to be furnished.
415.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of unemployment assistance recipients in County Galway who had their benefits withdrawn during 1983 and restored as a result of appeals.
The only statistics available are in respect of smallholders formerly in receipt of unemployment assistance based on a notional means assessment whose means have been reassessed on a factual basis under the provisions of the Social Welfare Act, 1983. The number of notionally assessed smallholders in County Galway whose unemployment assistance payments ceased following factual assessment between May and October 1983 was 126 of whom 17 had payment restored on appeal.
416.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit on 31 August 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an occupational accident on 29 August 1983. Pending the completion of investigations resulting from the accident he was awarded disability benefit on an interim basis from 2 September 1983, the fourth day of incapacity. He was also awarded pay-related benefit at the rate of £18.14 a week from 20 September, the nineteenth day of incapacity.
Following investigations he was awarded injury benefit from 30 August, the first day of incapacity. Injury benefit over and above the disability benefit already paid on an interim basis was paid. Injury benefit continued in payment to 1 November 1983 when following an examination on 2 November 1983 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work, benefit was disallowed by decision of a deciding officer from 2 November 1983. He was notified of the decision and of his right to appeal but he has not done so to date. He was certified fit to return to work by his own medical certifier from 14 November 1983.
417.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he applied on 22 September 1983 for it.
Following investigation of his means which were assessed at nil, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned has been authorised with effect from 22 September 1983 at the weekly rate of £28.90 which is the maximum weekly rate payable in his case. All arrears of unemployment assistance, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance due for refund to the health board, were paid to him last week. Further payments will continue to be made as they fall due.
418.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when pay-related benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he has been claiming unemployment benefit for five weeks.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 24 October 1983 and his claim was authorised at the maximum flat-rate of £74.85 per week appropriate to his case. Pay-related benefit of £9.04 per week has been authorised from 15 November 1983 and an adjusting payment of £30.14 will issue this week. Further combined payments of flat-rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit of £83.89 per week will continue as they become due.
419.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit and following inquiries to establish his contribution record his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he did not fulfil the contribution condition. He claimed unemployment assistance on 18 November 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. These inquiries are still being made but when they are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
420.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be reached on an appeal against the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The appeal of the person concerned, against the amount of means assessed against him, has been referred to an appeals officer and a decision on the case will be made as early as possible. In the meantime, payments of unemployment assistance at £33.75 weekly continue to be made as they become due.
421.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned applied for a review of the assessment of his means but he was not prepared to co-operate with the social welfare officer who investigated his case. His unemployment assistance claim was accordingly disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit.
422.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 August 1983 to 12 September 1983 but is not qualified for payment as he has not the required minimum of 26 qualifying contributions paid or credited in 1981-82, the contribution year governing his claim. He was requested on 30 August 1983 to forward details of his insurable employment in 1981-82 but failed to do so. A further request for this information has issued and on receipt of his reply his entitlement to benefit will be reviewed.
423.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is in continuous receipt of weekly unemployment assistance since the commencement of his claim and he is at present in receipt of the maximum rate payable to him £87 weekly. Following a recent investigation of his case he was disallowed one day each week during the period 1 February 1983 to 19 July 1983 on the grounds that he was employed on those days. Arrangements are being made to recover the amount overpaid by weekly deductions from current weekly unemployment assistance being paid to him.
424.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance on the basis of a notional assessment of his means. Following a review of his case his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed with effect from 12 October 1983 on the grounds that his means, derived from his land, exceed the maximum amount payable in his case. He appealed against the decision and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.