asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit payments to a person (details supplied) in County Cork have been completed correctly; and if he was paid in full.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
442.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 December 1983 and all benefit due from 10 December 1983, fourth day of incapacity to 22 February 1984, date of the latest medical certificate received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has been issued to him. He has, therefore, been paid in full.
443.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in issuing a decision on an application for a widow's pension from a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned whose husband died on 17 November 1983 has been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £69.40, with effect from 30 December 1983. This is the rate applicable to a widow under 66 years who has three qualified children and whose means have been assessed as nil. Her husband had been in receipt of old age non-contributory pension of £82.55 per week which included an increase in respect of his wife and three qualified children and she was paid this pension for six weeks after his death, in place of widow's pension.
A widow's pension book with orders payable from 30 December 1983 has been sent to the designated post office for collection by the claimant and she has been notified accordingly. It was necessary before the pension could be awarded to investigate the means of the widow and this required a visit to her by a local officer of the Department.
444.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason arrears of unemployment assistance have not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The means of the person concerned were assessed on the basis of his earnings from self-employment as a machinery contractor. Following an investigation of his case by a social welfare officer his claim to unemployment assistance was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit of £2,350.40 per annum from 24 August 1982, date of application. He appealed against the assessment of his means but an appeals officer also decided that his means exceeded the statutory limit.
On 24 November 1983 he applied to have his means reinvestigated. Following reinvestigation a deciding officer assessed his means at £16.80 per week from 24 November 1983 entitling him to unemployment assistance at £11.20 per week being the maximum rate payable to him £28 less means £16.80. He has appealed this assessment of his means and arrangements are being made to have his means determined by an appeals officer after which the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed.
The arrears of unemployment assistance due to him from 24 November 1983 were recouped to his local health board as he was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim.
445.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means from self-employment and from capital exceeded the statutory limit.
He recently appealed against the disallowance of his claim and the case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries about his self-employment. When these are completed the case will be referred to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
In the meantime he is in receipt of weekly supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance appeal.
446.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned has been in continuous receipt of unemployment assistance since 23 March 1983, at the weekly rate of £43.15, being the maximum weekly rate payable to him, £87 less £43.85 means, derived mainly from land.
If he considers that his circumstances have changed, it is open to him to apply for a review of the assessment of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
447.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be entitled to unemployment assistance when her stamps for unemployment benefit have been exhausted.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment benefit at a rate appropriate to a married woman who is a dependant of her husband.
She would not, therefore, be entitled to receive a qualification certificate on the grounds that she is a dependant of her husband and accordingly she would not be qualified for unemployment assistance.
448.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 19 January 1984 following the exhaustion of his entitlement to unemployment benefit. His entitlement to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until an investigation of his means is carried out. It is however, expected that the social welfare officer will complete his inquiries shortly after which his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
449.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will confirm that the correct rate of unemployment assistance is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 23 December 1983 and inquiries are being made to ascertain if he fulfils the contribution conditions of 78 paid contributions in a three-year period and whether as a landholder the profit from his holding exceeds £2 daily.
He is the holder of a qualification certificate with means assessed at £42.60 weekly derived from the benefit of his wife's earnings and profit from land. He is accordingly being paid unemployment assistance at £12.95 weekly, being the maximum rate payable to him £55.55 less £42.60 pending the outcome of the inquiries on his case. His entitlement to unemployment benefit or the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the inquiries.
450.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a death grant will be paid to the relatives of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Death grant was introduced on 1 October 1970. One of the conditions necessary to qualify for the grant is that 26 reckonable contributions must have been paid in respect of the deceased or the spouse of the deceased since that date.
In the case of one of the persons concerned, there are no reckonable contributions. In the other case, there are only seven. A death grant is not, therefore, payable in either case.
451.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason only £85.99 per week unemployment benefit is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick as he is married with three children.
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 weekly earnings of a claimant.
The person concerned is in receipt of the maximum flat rate of unemployment benefit to which he is entitled £82.50 weekly. The 85 per cent limit applicable to him is £85.99 and accordingly, the weekly amount of pay-related benefit to which he is entitled is limited to £3.49 weekly. Combined payments at £85.99 weekly continue to be made to him as they become due.
452.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be issued on an application for a non-contributory widow's pension from a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned has been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £3.85 with effect from 30 September 1983 i.e. the Friday following the date of her application. This is the rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years with no qualified children whose weekly means exceed £38 but do not exceed £40. Her means, derived from her share of her late husband's holding, have been assessed at £39.65 per week. She is now the registered owner of this land.
A pension order book with orders payable from 23 December 1983 has been sent to the designated post office for collection by the claimant and she has been notified accordingly. Arrears of pension from 30 September 1983 to 22 December 1983 will be paid direct to her by means of a payable order within the next few days.
453.
(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 was in receipt of unemployment assistance of £76.55 weekly based on a previous means assessment of nil up to 5 July 1983. Following his failure to co-operate with a social welfare officer re-investigating 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. He reapplied for unemployment assistance on 20 February 1984 and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for re-investigation. When the inquiries are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
454.
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 Trim employment exchange since 18 October 1983.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him £30.10 exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. His means were mainly derived from the letting value of his holding. He appealed against the decision in his case but an appeals officer upheld the assessment of his means at £30.10 weekly and he was notified accordingly on 23 February 1984.
455.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a reduced rate of old age pension is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
A routine review of the entitlements of the person concerned revealed that there had been an increase in his means consisting of half the weekly value of an urban council pension and capital. A question for reduction of his old age pension to the weekly rate of £12.60 with effect from 1 November 1983, date of first uncashed order, was therefore referred to the local pension committee for decision.
The reduction in the rate of pension has been implemented on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision. If he is dissatisfied with the committee's decision, he will have the right to appeal against it.
456.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
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 weekly earnings of an applicant.
The 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned was £77.12 and as the flat-rate unemployment benefit payable since 14 November 1983 was £82.50 per week pay-related benefit was not payable in this case.
457.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of PRSI has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 12 September 1983 to 7 February 1984 and he was paid at the reduced weekly flat-rate of £31.15 on the basis of 27 weeks of insurable employment during the governing contribution year from 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. Pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £3.09 was paid in addition to flat-rate benefit.
Inquiries are being made at present to ascertain if additional weeks of insurable employment and earnings are due for the period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. His entitlement to a higher rate of unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit for the period 12 September 1983 to 7 February 1984 will be considered on completion of these inquiries.
458.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons an old age pension has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will direct his Department to arrange the payment immediately; the weekly amount and total amount of arrears that will be paid; the date on which they will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 21 December 1983 that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension as he does not fulfil the statutory condition as to means. His means, consisting of half the weekly value of his wife's earnings and a holding exceed the statutory limit of £42 per week.
459.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been out of work and signing for the past 12 months and who satisfies all the necessary conditions.
The person concerned did not satisfy the contribution conditions during the contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 which governed her claim to unemployment benefit from 14 February 1983. She continued to sign the unemployment register for credited contributions up to 31 December 1983. Her entitlement to benefit was reviewed from the commencement of the new benefit year on 2 January 1984, but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance on 20 February 1984 and arrangements have been made to have her case heard at the earliest opportunity.
460.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a reduced rate of benefit is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, who has an English social security number.
The person concerned was last insurably employed in the United Kingdom. Under the EEC Regulations on Social Security his claim for sickness benefit is, therefore, the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. That Department has been contacted and has advised that the claimant is in receipt of Stg. £25.95 a week which is the maximum rate of benefit payable to a single person with no dependants.
461.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the payment of benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Longford.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 2 November 1982 to 26 October 1983. Payment ceased at that date as according to the records of the Department he had less than 156 contributions paid on his behalf since his entry into insurance and he was, therefore, entitled to benefit for 52 weeks only. The claimant had indicated that he was previously employed in Great Britain and inquiries were made from the British authorities to ascertain his British insurance record. On completion of these inquiries, it was established that he has sufficient contributions paid to qualify him for further payment. Accordingly, arrears of disability benefit payable to 25 February 1983, date of latest medical certificate received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, have been issued.
462.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
A claimant for unemployment benefit who is a landholder but does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 contributions paid in a three year period is not entitled to unemployment benefit if the income from his holding exceeds £2 daily.
The person concerned is a landholder who does not satisfy the 78 contribution condition. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of the income of his holding and inquiries are still being made in the matter. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the investigation.
463.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The investigation of the old age pension claim of the person concerned will be completed shortly and will be referred to the local pension committee for decision. If payment of pension is recommended by the social welfare officer it will be put into payment on a provisional basis pending the committee's decision.
464.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will examine the circumstances under which a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who applied for an invalidity pension has been regarded as ineligible although his consultant certified that he had no vision in one eye and a six over 12 vision in the other; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The claim of the person concerned was for blind pension and it was decided by the local pension committee on 19 January 1984 that he was not entitled to a blind pension as he failed to fulfil the statutory condition as to blindness. An examination by an opthalmic surgeon on 9 December 1983 did not support his claim. If his vision should deteriorate, it is open to him to re-apply for pension.
465.
(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 from 23 November 1983. However, inquiries had to be made to establish that the person concerned fulfilled the condition of being available for work before his entitlement to unemployment benefit could be determined.
These inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at the maximum rate of £34.80 weekly and all arrears due will be paid this week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
466.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an unemployment assistance application by a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 27 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.
467.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
Payment of unemployment benefit to the person concerned has been suspended pending the completion of inquiries to establish if he fulfils the condition of being unemployed. Consideration will be given to the restoration of payment of unemployment benefit as soon as the investigations are completed.
468.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment benefit or assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
469.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 January 1984 but he is not qualified for payment as he has less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1982-83, the contribution year governing his claim. He was requested on 6 February 1984 to submit details of his employment record in 1982-83 but has not done so. A further request was issued to him on 20 February 1984.
470.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 September 1983 and payment was made from that date. Due to an administrative error, however, pay-related benefit was not paid. This error has now been rectified and all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 20 February 1984, date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
471.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 November 1983. He was not qualified for benefit at the commencement of his claim as he had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid since his entry into insurable employment. He subsequently submitted details of his employment record and all benefit payable to 20 February 1984, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the North Western Health Board, was issued.
472.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 22 January 1983 to 14 February 1984, after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was notified to this effect on 22 February 1984. There are no arrears of benefit due in this case.
473.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance cannot be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that his outgoings on his farm are extremely high; the present position in relation to his application; and the reason for the long delay in having his appeal decided.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit from 9 November 1983. 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 the holding and the case has been referred to a social werfare officer for futher inquiries. When these are completed the case will be referred to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
474.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the maximum rate was not granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that he is married with three children and is paying off a county council loan; and if the case will be fully re-investigated as a matter of urgency.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £35.50 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £73.60 less means £38.10. Means in his case are derived from the capital value of a house not personally used by him,. He did not appeal but requested a further review of his case. The matter has been referred to the social welfare officer. When inquiries in the case have been completed his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
475.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for the restoration of unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as payment was discontinued some time ago; and when the appeal will be decided.
Following a re-investigation 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. Means were derived from the profit from a holding and from capital. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the appeals officer also decided that his means were in excess of the statutory limit. He was notified accordingly on 24 February 1984.
476.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in restoring unemployment assistance at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that his creamery milk returns for 1983 show a nett profit of only £2,500 and he is married with eight children; if he will arrange for an early decision in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following a re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned derived from the profit from his land were re-assessed. He was dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him and following further inquiries in the matter a deciding officer revised the assessment and reassessed his means at £48 from 24 August 1983. He was accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £50.25 weekly increased to £55.05 from 5 October 1983 and all arrears due were paid on 23 February 1984. If he is dissatisfied with this assessment it is open to him to appeal and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
477.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for a substantial increase in the rate of unemployment assistance being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Following a reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £52.80 weekly derived from the profit from land. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal. When these are completed the case will be referred to the appeals officer and his means will be reviewed in the light of his decision.
Payment of unemployment assistance is continuing at the rate of £5.50 per week being the maximum rate payable £58.30 less means £52.80.
478.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 23 December 1983. Inquiries had to be made to ascertain that he was available for and capable of work.
These inquiries are now complete and his claim has been allowed at the maximum weekly rate of £34.80. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further payments will be made as they become due.
479.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned was disallowed disability benefit from 10 August 1981 following examinations by different medical referees on 30 July 1981 and 8 October 1981 who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance of benefit and his case was referred to an appeals officer who decided he was capable of work from 10 August 1981 to 24 December 1981.
He has continued to submit medical evidence of incapacity to date. His claim from 25 December 1981 was also disallowed. He was re-examined by another medical referee on 15 April 1982 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 25 December 1981 to 20 October 1982.
His claim was again disallowed from 21 October 1982. He appealed against the further disallowance and was again examined on 2 June 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered him capable of work. Arrangements have now been made to have him examined again by another medical referee.
480.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he is signing since 15 December 1983; and when payment will be made.
The person concerned re-applied for unemployment asistance on 9 December 1983 and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation. However, he did not make himself available for interview and his means cannot be determined until he does so. He has again been advised to make himself available for interview so that his means can be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined.
481.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he is signing since before Christmas; and the reason for the delay in this case.
Following the completion of inquiries by a social welfare officer the means of the person concerned were assessed at 10p per week derived from capital. He is accordingly entitled to payment of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £55.45 being the maximum rate payable £55.55 less means of 10 pence from 21 December 1983. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him on 1 March 1984. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
482.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he is signing since 15 November 1983 and is married with one child; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is a landholder and an applicant for unemployment benefit and inquiries had to be made to establish whether the profit from his holding exceeded £2 daily as he did not satisfy the contribution condition of 78 paid contributions in a three year period.
The inquiries were only recently completed and his unemployment benefit claim was allowed at the rate of £65.60 weekly. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
483.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he is signing since he ceased work on 16 December 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries had been made to establish that he fulfilled the condition of being available for work. The inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at the maximum flat-rate unemployment benefit £65.60 weekly and pay-related benefit at £12.45 weekly. All arrears due were paid last week and further combined payments at £78.05 will be made as weekly payments become due.
484.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the urgency of the case and the fact that he has no other income.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him, £47.20 weekly, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. His means are derived from self-employment. He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries about his income from self-employment. When these are completed the case will be submitted to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
485.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason small holders unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £2.85 being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £70.15 less means £67.30 derived from land. He recently applied for an increase in respect of a fourth child dependant and all arrears due will be paid to him on 1 March 1984 effective from 15 August 1983. Payment will continue at £9.25 weekly (£76.55 less £67.30). He appealed the means assessment and an appeals officer also assessed his means at £67.30. He again re-applied to have his means reviewed and the case has been returned to the social welfare officer. When the completed report is received, his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in accordance with the amount of means assessed against him.