asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford as he is still suffering from allergic dermatitis which has been confirmed by the consultant dermatologist who states that this is an occupational disease; and when all benefits due will be paid to him.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
378.
The person concerned was paid occupational injury benefit from 23 July 1983 to 13 August 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
He again claimed occupational injury benefit from 23 August 1983. Pending completion of investigations regarding his entitlement to occupational injury benefit he was paid disability benefit from 26 August 1983, fourth day of incapacity to 27 August 1983. Payment was disallowed from 29 August 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee. He will be notified of the time and place of the examination.
His entitlement to further payment of benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
379.
(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 claimed unemployment assistance from 3 August 1983 and, as he was the holder of a qualification certificate with means assessed at £19.20, he was paid unemployment assistance at the rate of £8.80 weekly being the maximum rate £28 weekly less means £19.20.
He applied to have his means reassessed and, following an investigation by a social welfare officer, he was assessed with nil means with effect from 3 August 1983 and his claim was allowed at the maximum weekly rate of £28. All arrears due were paid to him on 20 October 1983 and weekly payments continue to be made to him at £28 as they become due.
380.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an old age pension will be increased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 3 November 1983 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the rate of £22.60 from 19 July, 1983. This is the rate appropriate to the assessment of her means, consisting of half the weekly value of her husband's occupational pension. Pension at this rate had been put into payment pending the committee's decision on her claim.
381.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an appeal against a decision to cancel small farmer's assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £55.40 weekly derived from the profit from land and the benefit of his wife's earnings. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £18.20 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance £73.60 less £55.40 means. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him. His case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means at £55.40 weekly and the applicant was notified accordingly on 29 November 1983.
382.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare as she has four dependent children.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at the rate of £34.25 per week with effect from 22 July 1983. This is the rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years of age who has four qualified children and whose weekly means exceed £50 but do not exceed £52. Her means derived from a half share in the profits from a holding were assessed at £51 per week. In calculating her means a deduction of £6 per week per qualified child was allowed.
One of her children ceased to be a qualified child with effect from 11 November 1983 on attaining the age of 18 years so the rate of pension payable from then was reduced to £17.40 per week in respect of the pensioner and three qualified children, based on weekly means exceeding £56 but not exceeding £58.
A pension order book payable from 11 November 1983 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her. She has been notified accordingly. The arrears of pension for the period from 22 July 1983 to 10 November 1983 will be paid direct to her by payable order within the next few days.
383.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 27 October 1983 but when a social welfare officer called on him to investigate his means he stated that he wished to withdraw his claim and no further action was taken in the matter.
On 7 December 1983 he contacted his local office and stated that he now wished to pursue his claim. Arrangements are being made to have his means investigated by a social welfare officer after which his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined.
384.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare as he applied last October.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until inquiries about his means had been completed. The inquiries were recently completed and he was assessed with means at £1.75 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents' home. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £26.25 weekly being the maximum rate of £28 less £1.75 means and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week. Further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
385.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £60.10 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £76.55 less means £16.45. His means are derived from the value of board and lodging on his father-in-law's holding. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but an appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means at £16.45 and he was notified accordingly.
386.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as she finished an AnCO course on 2 December 1983.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries to establish her insurance record were completed.
These investigations were recently completed and her claim was allowed at the rate of £29.30 weekly from 9 June 1983 increasing to £32.25 weekly from 30 June 1983. She was not, however, entitled to unemployment benefit in respect of the period during which she attended an AnCO course. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week, less supplementary welfare allowance which was paid to her pending a decision on her case. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
387.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (detail supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £7.65 weekly derived from self-employment as a bricklayer. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £59.25 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £66.90 less £7.65 means. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him. Arrangements are being made to refer his case to an appeals officer for determination. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
388.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a children's allowance book has not been issued to a person (details supplied) in County Laois as she applied some time ago.
There is no trace of the receipt in the Department of a claim for children's allowance from the person concerned. An application form has accordingly been issued to her for completion. When the form is returned to the Department with the necessary documentation the claim will be decided and any allowance due will be issued promptly.
389.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance following the exhaustion of his title to unemployment benefit on 9 November 1983, when he completed 390 days. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation, after which he was assessed with nil means. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £58.30 weekly. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him, this week. Further payments will be made weekly as they become due.
390.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Payment of disability benefit was disallowed to the person concerned from 28 November 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 but has not done so to date.
391.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
To satisfy the condition of being available for work an applicant for unemployment benefit must be capable of work and genuinely trying to find work. The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for work. The disallowance of the claim was upheld by an appeals officer after an oral hearing of the appeal which took place on 17 November 1983. Arrangements have been made to review his case. When inquiries have been completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit from 18 November 1983 will be determined in the light of the outcome.
392.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the statement that the double payment of social welfare benefits at Christmas is similar to 1982, short-term recipients of social welfare benefit can expect a double payment for child dependants as at Christmas 1982.
As already stated in the reply to questions on 7 December 1983, the double payments this Christmas will be made to recipients of the following social welfare payments: old age, retirement, blind, invalidity and occupational injury pensions and payments for widows and orphans, deserted wives, unmarried mothers, single women and prisoners' wives. The double payment will also be made to recipients of the following health allowances: disabled person's maintenance allowance, infectious diseases maintenance allowance, blind welfare allowance and domiciliary care allowance for handicapped children.
The payments do not include persons receiving unemployment assistance, supplementary welfare allowance, disability benefit or the dependants of persons receiving short-term benefits. A double payment will not, therefore, be made in respect of the child dependants of recipients of short-term social welfare benefits.
393.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay the age allowances to wives of contributory pension holders (details supplied) in Dublin 9 when they exceed 80 years of age, in view of the anomalous comparison with non-contributory pensioners.
The increase at age 80 are payable in respect of the pensioners themselves only in both contributory and non-contributory pensions. In the case of non-contributory old age pensions the spouse of a non-contributory pensioner becomes entitled to a non-contributory pension in his/her own right at age 66. The question of an age allowance at age 80 does not therefore arise. It is also open to the spouses of contributory pensioners to claim non-contributory old age pensions in their own right at any time after they reach age 66.
394.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payments of unemployment benefit will be increased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford on the basis of her claim for her husband and dependants.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 16 May 1983. Her claim was authorised at £26.25 weekly increasing to £28.90 from 30 June 1983. This is the rate appropriate to a woman without qualified dependants and with 34 reckonable contributions in the 1981-82 income tax year. Inquiries are being made into her claim for increases in respect of her husband and children. It is expected that these inquiries will be completed shortly after which her entitlement to an increase for dependants will be determined.
395.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway despite the fact that he qualifies on all grounds; the date on which it will be paid; the amount to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 3 October 1983 was disallowed on the grounds that he did not satisfy the contribution conditions. He applied for unemployment assistance on 9 November 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. New inquiries are at present being carried out. As soon as they have been completed entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
396.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance is not being increased automatically for people who have small farms with low valuations and who are fully qualify for all unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement of the matter.
All recipients of unemployment assistance, including smallholders whose means are assessed on a factual basis, qualified automatically for the budget increase of 10 per cent in rates of unemployment assistance from end June 1983. Where they have been unemployed for 15 months or more they qualified automatically for the increase of 5 per cent awarded with effect from October 1983.
Smallholders whose means are assessed on a notional basis by reference to PLV did not qualify for any increases in the rates of unemployment assistance. It is, however, open to any of these smallholders who may be dissatisfied with the amount of unemployment assistance they are receiving under the notional system, to apply to have their means assessed on a factual basis. Unemployment assistance under this system would be paid at the standard rates and would include the increases already mentioned.
397.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has been reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway, who owns no property and is in urgent financial difficulty; if he will review the situation and direct his Department to increase the unemployment assistance to the amount which was paid up to 20 October 1983; the date on which it will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £29.35 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £87 less £57.65 means. His means are derived from the profit from his land. He appealed against the assessment of his means and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means at £57.65 weekly.
398.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has not been increased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the amount to which it will be increased; the date on which it will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance of £40.55 a week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £52.70 less means £12.15 derived from land. The case was referred recently to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report. In the meantime weekly payments of £40.55 will continue to be made as they become due.
399.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance and a free television licence will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The ESB have been instructed to apply a free electricity allowance to the account of the person concerned from the June/July 1983 billing period onwards. He is also entitled to a free television licence which he may obtain on application at his local post office.
400.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 27 November 1980. Payment has been made to date. A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to him. On its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
401.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in the rate of social welfare benefit being paid at present to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will ensure that the appeal case is held as soon as possible as there are extenuating circumstances in his case.
Following a reinvestigation of his case the means of the person concerned were assessed as being in excess of the statutory limit and his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed. His means were derived from the profit from land. 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.
402.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in the rate of social welfare benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and the result of the appeal in this case.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an investigation by a social welfare officer on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit. He has appealed against the disallowance. His case has been referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries about his means. When these are completed, his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His means will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
403.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the huge reduction in benefits being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if the appeal will be expedited as there is genuine hardship in this case.
Following a reinvestigation of his case by a social welfare officer the means of the person concerned were assessed at £48.05 derived from the profit from his land. His rate of unemployment assistance was reduced to £2.70 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £50.75 less £48.05 means. 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. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
404.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in the rate of social welfare benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and when his appeal will be heard.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit at the maximum appropriate rate for a married couple with five dependent children to 10 December 1983. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. The claimant has appealed against the disallowance. In this connection he will be examined in early January 1984 by a different medical referee. His claim for benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
405.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing social welfare benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath as all necessary certificates have been forwarded.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 November 1983. He is not entitled to payment as he has not the required minimum of 26 reckonable contributions paid or credited in 1981-82, the contribution year, governing his claim. According to the records of the Department he has only nine reckonable credited contributions in that year. He was requested on 23 November 1983 to furnish details of his employment in 1981-82. When this information is received his entitlement to payment of benefit will be reviewed.
406.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in the rate of social welfare benefit being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; the result of the appeal; and if he is aware of the genuine hardship in this case.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £19.40 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £29.40 less £10 means. His means were derived from board and lodging on his father's holding and they were determined by an appeals officer in May 1983. If the person concerned is of the opinion that his circumstances have changed it is open to him to apply for a review of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
407.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the low rate of pension currently being issued to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and the pension that would be issued if the land were to be signed over.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 30 July 1983 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the rate of £22.60 from 2 September 1983, the date she attained pension age. This is the rate to which she is entitled, having regard to the assessment of her means, consisting of the income from the letting of a holding.
A decision on her entitlement in the light of any relevant change of circumstances, such as the transfer of a holding, could only be given when all the relevant information was obtained. In the event of any such change in her circumstances it is open to her to apply for an increase in pension. On receipt of an application in that regard, her entitlement will be reviewed. She will be notified of the outcome.
408.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing a decision on a deserted wife's claim by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; if he is satisfied that the full facts have been taken into account; and if he is aware of the severe hardship in this case.
One of the qualifying conditions for the receipt of deserted wife's allowance/benefit is that a claimant must make and continue to make reasonable efforts to trace her husband and to prevail on him to contribute to her support. The deciding officer held that this condition was not satisfied in her case and disallowed the claim in September 1983.
She appealed against the decision and in support of her appeal she supplied particulars of the efforts she has made in this regard. The deciding officer has now accepted that this condition is satisfied in her case. Consequently she has been awarded the allowance in respect of herself and two children with effect from 30 June 1983 at the rate appropriate to her means derived from earnings. Before that date her means exceeded the statutory limit for receiving the allowance which in her case was £56 a week, increased to £62 from that date.
An allowance order book payable from 15 December 1983 has been forwarded to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly and of her right to appeal if dissatisfied with the assessment. Arrears for the period from 30 June 1983 to 14 December 1983 will be paid shortly by payable order.
409.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a children's allowance book will be returned to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The claimant's allowance book, which had been recalled for inspection in connection with a possible overpayment, has now been returned to her.
410.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly as it is due for the past five weeks.
Payment of disability benefit was suspended for six weeks from 22 November 1983 as the person concerned failed to attend for examination by a medical referee on 22 November 1983. Following a review of his claim, in the light of medical evidence submitted by him, payment was restored from 13 December 1983.
A cheque for the arrears of benefit due from 22 November 1983, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, was issued on 13 December 1983.
411.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to issue a children's allowance book to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned submitted an application for continuation of children's allowance on 2 November 1983 in respect of her son, who reached sixteen years of age on 8 September 1983.
Children's allowance at the rate of £11.25 per month has been awarded in respect of this child from October 1983. An allowance book payable from November 1983 was issued on 13 December and a payable order in respect of arrears due for October 1983 is in the course of issue.
412.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay injury benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly as it is due since last May.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 18 May 1983 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 5 May 1983.
Pending the completion of investigations resulting from the accident his entitlement to disability benefit on an interim basis was examined. He had no insurance contributions recorded under his RSI number. An inquiry was issued to him for details of contributions paid on his behalf but he failed to reply. He did not accordingly satisfy the qualifying contribution conditions for disability benefit.
Investigations made regarding the alleged occupational accident failed to confirm that an accident had occurred.
The claim for injury benefit has been disallowed on the grounds that his incapacity was not caused by an accident arising out of and in the course of his employment. He has been advised of the decision and of his right to appeal against it.
413.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a death grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly in respect of her late husband.
One of the contribution conditions for receipt of death grant requires that a minimum of 26 contributions be paid since 1 October 1970, the date the death grant was introduced. According to the records of the Department, the late husband of the person concerned was last insurably employed in 1968. A death grant is not, therefore, payable in this case.
414.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension book will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
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 rate of £24.60 plus £12.40 adult dependant allowance has been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 16 August 1983, date claimant reached age 66 years. These are the rates appropriate to the assessment of the claimant's means consisting of half the weekly value of capital.
The appropriate pension books payable from 7 October 1983 were issued on a provisional basis on 1 December 1983 pending the pension committee's decision and the arrears due issued separately.
415.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 19 November 1983. Payment was disallowed after that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that the claimant was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and, in this connection, arrangements have been made to have him examined on 21 December 1983 by a different medical referee. His claim for benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
416.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will authorise an increase in the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as her husband is an alcoholic and she is under severe financial strain at present.
The husband of the person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £43.75 weekly which is the maximum rate payable to him as a married man with two qualified children £63.75 less means £20.00. His means are derived from self-employment. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him, but an appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means at £20.00 weekly.
If the applicant's circumstances have changed it is open to him to apply for a reinvestigation of his means. His case will be referred for a further investigation after which the assessment of his means will be reviewed. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
417.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for unemployment benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance was disallowed on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit in his case. He has appealed against the decision to disallow assistance and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The period involved is from 13 October 1982 to 18 January 1983 after which date he ceased to sign as unemployed.
418.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £74.50 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £97.70 less means £23.20. His means are derived from self-employment, capital and the profit from land.
If he is dissatisfied with the means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
419.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £7.30 weekly being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £29.40 less means £22.10. His means are derived from the value of board and lodging on his parents' holding and from self-employment.
If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
420.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision was made on an application for a prescribed relative's allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
A prescribed relative allowance was awarded to the father of the person concerned in August 1983 with effect from 5 May 1983, the date of receipt of application. The appropriate allowance book and the arrears due were issued to the pensioner at that time.
421.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if small farmers assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim which was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land and from capital exceeded the statutory limit. His case has been referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries after which it will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
422.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for small farmers' assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £19.85 being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £58.30 less means £38.45. His means are derived from the beneficial occupation of land. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
423.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £19.50 weekly, being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him, £48.35, less means £28.85. His means are derived from the profit from land and from self-employment as a blocklayer-plasterer. He has been advised that it is open to him to appeal against the amount of means assessed against him and to have his means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
424.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
An appeals officer reduced the assessment of means of the person concerned to £25.35 weekly. His present rate of unemployment assistance is accordingly £32.95 weekly, being the maximum rate £58.30, less £25.35, and arrangements have been made to pay adjusting arrears due this week. Further payments of £32.95 will be made as weekly payments become due.
425.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for disability benefit from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was disallowed disability benefit from 2 August 1982 following examinations by different medical referees on 15 July 1982 and 4 October 1982 who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance of benefit. His case was referred to an appeals officer who decided he was capable of work from 2 August 1982 to 13 October 1982. He continued to submit medical evidence of incapacity and his claim from 14 October 1982 was also disallowed. He was re-examined by another medical referee on 9 February 1983 who also considered him to be capable of work. This decision was subsequently upheld by an appeals officer who decided he was capable of work from 14 October 1982 to 17 June 1983.
His claim was again disallowed from 18 June 1983. He appealed against the further disallowance and was again examined on 21 October 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered him capable of work.
He was notified of the result of this examination and supplied with an appeal form on which to set out the grounds for an appeal. On receipt of the completed form his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination.
426.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the non-payment of arrears of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 6 January 1981 and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate for a married couple to date. However, due to an administrative error, he was paid at the personal rate from 4 July to 16 July 1983 resulting in an underpayment of benefit. An adjustment cheque for the arrears of benefit payable was issued to the claimant on 6 July 1983.
427.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that a member of the travelling community (details supplied) who does not have any birth certificate is paid an old age pension.
The person concerned has been in receipt of widow's non-contributory pension since February 1981 at the maximum personal rate. Investigation was necessary to establish her date of birth which has been accepted as 27 September 1917. The rate of pension now in payment to her, £38.60, is the maximum payable to a person over 66 years, and is at the same rate as old age non-contributory pension. The reason she did not receive any increase on reaching age 66 recently was that this increase had already been given to her, in error, from 20 October 1981.
She is also eligible to apply for any additional benefits available to old age pensioners for which she considers she may qualify such as an allowance for living alone, free electricity, free telephone rental and free television licence.
428.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
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 £19.40 adult dependant allowance and £8.20 dependent child allowance, has been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 13 September 1983, the date claimant reached pension age. The pension is being put into payment on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision.
The appropriate pension books payable from 16 December 1983 have been issued. A payable order covering arrears due less supplementary welfare allowance refunded to the health board in respect of the period 13 September 1983 to 9 December 1983 will issue shortly.
429.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance and arrears 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 £36.15 weekly exceed the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him, £28.00 weekly. His means are derived from the profit from land and from capital.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but an appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means at £35.15 weekly and he was notified accordingly on 15 September 1983.
However, if he considers that his circumstances have changed since his case was assessed by the appeals officer it is open to him to apply to have his means reinvestigated. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
430.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an opportunity will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Clare to discuss accurately his means assessment as he is married with four dependent children and two dependent relatives.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £59.20 weekly derived from the profit from land and from capital. The assessment was carried out following an investigation by a social welfare officer who called on the person concerned and discussed his case in detail with him.
He was accordingly awarded unemployment assistance at the rate of £17.35 per week, the maximum rate of £76.55 payable in his case, less means of £59.20. The rate payable was increased to £21.10 from the beginning of October. He appealed against the assessment of means. An appeals officer reduced the assessment to £56 a week leaving the person concerned entitled to £20.55 per week (£76.55 less £56 means) from 31 August and £24.30 from 5 October 1983 (£80.30 less £56 means). This rate is at present in payment.