asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason only £49.20 unemployment assistance is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth as it is below the maximum rate; and when the arrears due to him will be paid.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
399.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance since 23 January 1984 of £49.25 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £50.75 less means of £1.50 derived from capital. He has been issued with an appeal form and when it is returned to his local office it will be referred to an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision in his case. Weekly payments of £49.25 will continue to be made as they become due.
400.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
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.
401.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a deserted wife's allowance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
One of the qualifying conditions for the receipt of deserted wife's allowance-benefit is that the husband must have left his wife of his own volition. The deciding officer held that this condition was not satisfied in this case and disallowed the claim of the person concerned in November 1983. She has appealed against the disallowance and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. When he has given his decision on her appeal the claimant will be notified of the outcome.
402.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance-benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 5 January 1984 and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
403.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange as soon as possible for the re-examination of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has applied for an invalidity pension, in view of the fact that he was already called before a medical referee on 25 May 1983 and it was promised that he would be called again in nine months time.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 15 May 1973 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. In this connection, arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 23 February 1984. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
404.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a pension book will be sent to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as she has appointed a person (details supplied) as her agent; and when outstanding arrears will be paid as there is hardship in this case.
The person concerned who is in receipt of a widow's contributory pension recently returned her pension book in order to have payment made to an agent in future. A book was sent to the post office of payment, in the agent's name, on 25 January 1984. It has been confirmed from the post office that the book has been collected by the agent and that the pension is now in payment. There are no arrears due in this case. The last order cashed by the widow herself was for Friday, 20 January and the first order payable in the agent's name was dated 27 January 1984.
405.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has now been forwarding certificates for the last seven months and has not been made aware of any decision.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 25 April 1983. On completion of inquiries his application was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment as a plasterer and from his wife's income exceeded the statutory limits in his case of £3,380 from 25 April 1983 and £3,720.60 from 29 June 1983. The person concerned was notified of the decision in his case and of his right to appeal but did not exercise that right.
406.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as she appealed in December 1983.
The claimant was notified of the decision to disallow her claim for deserted wife's allowance-benefit on 16 September 1983 and of her right, if dissatisfied, to appeal against it. No appeal from her can be traced. However, a form on which to set out her case has now been sent to her and when it is returned the claim will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination.
407.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision on an appeal against a reduction in a small farmer's unemployment assistance will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
In the light of contentions made by the person concerned in support of his appeal, the case was referred 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 case will be dealt with as early as possible. In the meantime, weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £13 being the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £80.30 less means £67.30 derived from the profit from land, continue to be made to him.
408.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an application for unemployment assistance was made by a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and when a decision will be made on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 17 October 1983 and his claim was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him, £30.75 weekly, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. His means are derived from land. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer requires further information about the income from his holding and the case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision in his case.
409.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when welfare payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Following the completion of inquiries to establish that the person concerned satisfied the condition of being available for employment his claim to unemployment benefit on 25 November 1983 was authorised at the maximum weekly rate in his case of £82.50 flat-rate unemployment benefit and £10.19 pay-related benefit. All arrears due were paid last week.
410.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason money due has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in respect of the period 23 November to 31 December 1983.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 November 1982 and was paid to 23 November 1983. Payment ceased temporarily at that date as according to the Department's records he had less than 156 contributions paid on his behalf since his entry into insurance and was only entitled to benefit for 52 weeks. Subsequent inquiries established that the claimant had the necessary contributions to entitle him to continuous payment of benefit while he remains incapable of work. Arrears of benefit for the period 24 November 1983 to 31 December 1983 amounting to £262.68 were issued on 3 February 1984. All benefit due to 8 February, the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued.
411.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing an application for dole by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick, as it has been with his Department for over 16 weeks; and when it will be processed.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 19 October 1983 and her case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of her means. Extensive inquiries had to be made before the investigation was completed following which she was assessed with means at £8.65 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings on her parents' holding. She is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £19.35 weekly being the maximum rate payable to her £28 less £8.65 and all arrears due were paid during the week ending 31 January 1984. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
412.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance an applicant must be living entirely alone or only with children under 15 years of age or other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in an emergency. The person referred to in the Deputy's question is residing with his wife who is not, from the information furnished, a permanently incapacitated person. Accordingly a free telephone rental allowance cannot be applied in this case.
413.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of disability benefit will be resumed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 1977. Payment was suspended from 31 December 1983 due to an administrative error. This has since been rectified and a cheque for £183.60 representing payment due for the period from 2 January 1984 to 11 February 1984 was issued on 6 February 1984. Payment of disability benefit will be continued on receipt of medical certificates.
414.
(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 benefit on 16 January 1984 and when inquiries were completed to establish that he was available for employment his claim was authorised at £74.85 weekly being the maximum rate appropriate in his case. All arrears due were paid to him last week. Further payments of £74.85 will continue as they become due.
415.
(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 benefit on 12 December 1983. However, he did not satisfy the contribution conditions during the contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. Unemployment assistance was paid at the weekly rate of £15.35 being £48.35 less means of £33 per week. A new benefit year commenced on 2 January 1984 and as he satisfied the contribution conditions for reduced rate unemployment benefit during the contribution period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 his claim was allowed at the reduced rate of £56.10 weekly. All arrears of unemployment benefit due have been paid and further weekly payments will continue as they become due.
416.
(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 on 21 December 1983 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. Inquiries in the case will be completed shortly when his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
417.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment and from the profit from his land exceed the statutory limit. He has appealed against the disallowance and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
418.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the serious disruptions caused to the fishing industry in Donegal South-West constituency by the operation of his Department's special investigation unit, he intends to make any special provisions to ensure that the small share fishermen are not forced out of business.
The special investigation unit operates to ensure that the statutory provisions are observed by those claiming unemployment benefit or assistance. The unit's investigations are carried out on a country wide basis and the regulations are administered in a uniform manner covering all who claim benefit or assistance. The statutory provisions relating to concurrent working and claiming of benefit or assistance cannot be applied selectively but must be applied equally to all. It is not, therefore, possible to make exceptions to the uniform application of the law in the case of selected categories of claimants.
419.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance has been authorised at £21.50 a week, being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £28 less means £6.50 derived from beneficial occupation of a holding and from capital. All arrears due will be paid this week. Weekly payments of £21.50 will continue to be made as they become due.
420.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is receiving reduced rates of unemployment and pay-related benefits compared with last year even though this year he has more dependants and signs in respect of one additional day per week.
Since 4 April 1983 entitlement to unemployment benefit in the case of systematic short-time working is subject to the condition that the number of days worked and the number of days in respect of which flat-rate unemployment benefit is payable may not exceed five in any week. Pay-related benefit is not payable. The person concerned is engaged in systematic short-time employment on two days each week and receives £44.91 a week representing three days flat-rate unemployment benefit calculated on the basis of three-fifths of the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £74.85.
421.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned has been paid disability benefit at the reduced personal rate of £33.55, from 12 January 1984, fourth day of incapacity, to 6 February 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received. This is the correct rate payable to a person who has only 44 contributions in 1982-83, the contribution year governing his claim. To qualify for the maximum weekly personal rate of £34.80, he would need to have at least 48 contributions weeks paid or credited in the 1982-83 contribution year. He has been requested to supply details of any other employment which he may have had, in order that his entitlement to the higher rate of benefit might be considered. The claimant has also been paid pay-related benefit at £9.58 per week from 30 January 1984, nineteenth day of incapacity.
Claim forms to enable him to claim for his dependants were issued to the claimant on three separate occasions, but none has been returned to date. When a claim form is returned duly completed, any increase in benefit which may be due, will be issued.
422.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Following a review of his means the person concerned was assessed with weekly means of £10.55 derived from the letting value of his holding and from the value of board and lodging on his brother-in-law's farm, with effect from 23 November 1983. Unemployment assistance was authorised at £18.85 being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £29.40 less means £10.55. His appeal against the decision was not received in headquarters and arrangements have been made to have a duplicate copy furnished for submission to the appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision. In the meantime weekly payments of £18.85 will continue to be made as they become due.
423.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and the case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When the inquiries are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination.
424.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if pay-related benefit will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the weekly sum of pay-related benefit, flat-rate unemployment benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of the net average earnings of a claimant.
The 85 per cent limit applicable to this claimant is £57.82 and this sum was calculated on the evidence furnished by him in respect of earnings from 6 April 1983 to the date on which his unemployment benefit claim commenced on 10 December 1983. The rate of flat-rate unemployment benefit payable to him, £65.60, exceeds this amount and accordingly pay-related benefit is not payable to him.
425.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and the position on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 30 December 1983. Being a farmer he is required to satisfy the condition of being available for employment by having not less than 78 employment contributions in the previous three years or having a net income of not more than £2.00 a day from his farm. Inquiries are at present being made to establish these facts and when the inquiries are completed, his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be decided.
426.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit at the maximum rate and arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 January 1984 and has been paid at the weekly rate of £90.15, the maximum amount payable for a married couple with four dependent children, to 6 February 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received. There are no arrears of benefit due in this case.
427.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the correct rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by reason of the contribution made to her by her husband she was deemed to be a dependant of her husband.
If she is dissatisfied with the decision in her case it is open to her to appeal. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
428.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit on 24 January 1984 was disallowed on the grounds that she did not satisfy the contribution conditions. An application for unemployment assistance has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into her means. Her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against her.
429.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 30 January 1984. Inquiries are at present being made to establish that she satisfies the condition of being available for employment. When these inquiries are completed her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined.
430.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit or assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as he is married with three children and has been out of work since 6 January 1984; and if he will arrange to have his case investigated.
The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution condition for entitlement to unemployment benefit in respect of his claim dated 9 January 1984.
He claimed unemployment assistance and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. When the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
431.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £69.85 per week being the appropriate maximum rate £70.15 less means of £0.30 per week previously assessed against him. Following his failure to make himself available for interview by a social welfare officer reinvestigating his means, unemployment assistance was 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.
It is open to him to appeal against the disallowance of unemployment assistance. However, if he wishes to appeal he should also state if he is now willing to make himself available for interview. Arrangements would then be made to have his case referred back to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation.
432.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an old age pension at the maximum rate and a refund which is due for 15 years will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is in receipt of a contributory widow's pension at the rate of £44.20 per week which is the maximum personal rate payable to a widow over 80 years of age. The pension was awarded on the basis of her late husband's insurance contributions.
There is no trace of a claim ever having been made by the person concerned for contributory old age pension. To be eligible for the award of that pension the person concerned would herself need to have been insurably employed and to satisfy the contribution conditions. There is no indication that this was the position and the Department can find no trace of an insurance record for her. On the available evidence, therefore, she is not eligible for contributory old age pension. If however, the Deputy has any information regarding the claimant's employment history that he considers would be of advantage to the person concerned he should communicate it to the Department and the matter will be considered further.
It would not be in her interest to claim non-contributory old age pension because the maximum rate of this pension is less than the contributory widow's pension at present in payment to her.
433.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has received no payment since August 1983.
Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed, on the grounds that his means, derived from self-employment as a block-layer exceeded the statutory limit.
He appealed against the decision in his case but an appeals officer also decided that his means exceeded the statutory limit and he was notified accordingly on 18 January 1984.
434.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be restored to A1 class contributions; and the reason she was put on J1 class contributions.
Class J1 contributions have been paid in respect of the person concerned because she has been working for less than 18 hours within each contribution week as defined in the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981. The question of whether the operation of the regulations is anomalous in her case since she normally works on a one week on-one week off basis is being examined. The person concerned will be informed when a final decision is made.
435.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £49.45 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £66.90 less means £17.45. Means in his case are derived from 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.
436.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid since 31 December 1983 to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 31 December 1983 based on his 1981-82 contribution record.
From 2 January 1984 his entitlement to benefit is based on his insurance record in the 1982-83 contribution year. Payment of benefit was temporarily suspended as it was necessary to review his insurance position for that year.
He is qualified for benefit at the maximum rate for a single person and payment has been restored from 2 January 1984.
All benefit due to him to date less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Southern Health Board has been issued.
437.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been waiting 13 months for an outcome to her appeal against the decision to reject her application for deserted wife's allowance as the appeal was submitted in January 1983 and she has three children and is living on a supplementary welfare allowance.
One of the conditions for the receipt of deserted wife's payment is that the husband must have left his wife of his own volition.
The deciding officer held that this condition was not satisfied in this case. The claim of the person concerned was therefore disallowed and she was notified accordingly.
She appealed against the decision in August 1983. Owing to an administrative error, however, her case was not submitted to an appeals officer for determination at that stage. An oral hearing of the appeal at which the claimant has been requested to attend to give evidence, has been arranged for 21 February 1984. She will be notified of the outcome as soon as the appeals officer gives his decision in the matter.
438.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 29 November 1983 but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral appeal hearing on 6 February 1984. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
439.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons in receipt of social welfare benefits in County Roscommon on 31 December 1983; and the categories of benefit involved.
The information sought by the Deputy is not available as statistics of social welfare recipients are not maintained on a county basis. However, there is a regular analysis by county published by the Central Statistics Office of the number of people on the live register of unemployed. According to the latest such analysis, relating to 18 November 1983, the total number of people registered as unemployed in County Roscommon was 1,972.
440.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing a farmer's dole application for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the profit from land and from capital, were assessed as being in excess of the statutory limit.
He has appealed against the disallowance of unemployment assistance and his case has been referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal. On completion of these inquiries his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed when the decision of the appeals officer is known.
441.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position in regard to payments of disability benefit which are due to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if all money due has been paid; and, if so, the period of time covered by the payments.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 May 1982 and was paid at the maximum rate for a married man with no dependent children to 12 January 1984. Payment ceased at that date as it was understood that he had attained 66 years of age and was qualified for old age contributory pension. It has since been confirmed that he did not attain 66 years until 30 January 1984. The arrears of benefit payable from 13 January to 28 January 1984 were issued to him on 10 February 1984.
442.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will explain in detail the reason dole was recently reduced from £48.45 to £20.00 per week for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will outline in detail the means assessed against him.
When the person concerned first claimed unemployment assistance on 2 February 1982 he was single, living at home with his parents and was assessed with nil means, thereby entitling him to the maximum appropriate rate of assistance. He married last November and, pending reinvestigation of his claim, continued to be assessed with nil means. On reinvestigation of his claim he was assessed with means of £30.55 per week derived from benefit from his wife's earnings. He is accordingly paid at £20.20 per week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £50.75 less means of £30.55.
443.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 29 October 1983. Payment ceased temporarily at that date while his contribution record was under review. His contribution record has since been confirmed and payment has been restored. All benefit due to him to date has been paid.
444.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if either of the persons (details supplied) in County Wexford are entitled to unemployment benefit on their British contributions; and, if not, the number of Irish contributions that are required to render them eligible for benefit.
The husband in the case of the persons concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 2 September 1983. His claim based on his Irish insurance record in the governing contribution year from 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 was authorised at £57.35 weekly being the maximum rate appropriate to his case. There is no trace of a claim to unemployment benefit to refer to his wife. All benefit due to date has been paid and further payments of £57.35 will be made as they become due. His British insurance record has no relevance to his present claim.
445.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if Sundays are reckonable for the calculation of payments of social welfare benefits for short-time workers.
Short-time workers are entitled to receive unemployment benefit for those days of the week on which they do not work, provided that the number of days worked and the number of days benefit may not exceed five days in any week. Where Sunday is a day on which short-time workers are employed it is counted as a day worked in calculating the number of days of unemployment benefit payable to such workers.