asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of social welfare recipients in his Department.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
377.
The number of weekly social welfare recipients was 649,504 at the end of June 1983, the latest date for which comprehensive figures are available. There were 460,714 families, some of whom may be included in the figure of 649,504 mentioned above in receipt of children's allowances at that time. In addition, 4,563 death grants and 185,801 treatment benefit grants were paid out by the Department in the six months from 1 January to 30 June 1983.
A detailed breakdown of the numbers of recipients for various social welfare schemes was supplied in reply to a Parliamentary Question on 13 December 1983, (Dáil Official Report, Volume 346, column 1776-1777).
378.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of recipients of the free travel scheme at 31 December 1983.
The estimated number of persons in receipt of free travel under the Department's scheme at 31 December 1983 was 390,000.
379.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him, £33.85 weekly, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. His means were derived from the value of board and lodging on his brother's holding.
He recently appealed at his local office against this disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim and arrangements are being made to submit his case to an appeals officer.
380.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying a non-contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Payment of pension has not been recommended as his means, consisting of the weekly value of a holding, exceed the statutory limit of £42 per week. If he is dissatisfied with the committee's decision it will be open to him to appeal against it.
Submission of the claim to the committee was deferred in this case pending receipt of a copy of a deed of assignment which it was stated was being drawn up in respect of the holding, but this has not been received.
381.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; the rate that we be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 6 February 1984. He was not qualified for benefit at the commencement of his claim as according to the available records he had fewer than the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1982/83, the contribution year governing his claim.
Following inquiries it was established that the claimant had 44 contributions in 1982/83, thus qualifying him for benefit. He is being paid at £64.35 per week, the rate appropriate to a married man with one child dependant where there are 44 contributions in the governing contribution year. A cheque for the amount of benefit payable from 6 February 1984 to 22 February 1984, date of latest medical certificate received, less amount of social welfare allowance advanced, was issued on 29 February 1984.
382.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the relieving officer at the North Strand branch of the Eastern Health Board informed a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 that she needed written confirmation stating that she and her husband were not in receipt of any income from the Eastern Health Board and that she was not to return with the statement until the following Monday, 20 February 1984, even though she explained she would be without any income for the weekend; and the rate of supplementary benefit that will be paid to her, if she is deemed eligible.
The scheme of supplementary welfare allowance in this area is administered by the Eastern Health Board and it is understood that the person concerned applied for and was granted payments under the scheme on 13, 20 and 27 February 1984 pending investigation into a claim for disability benefit by her husband. The determination of eligibility under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in any particular case is a matter for the health board having regard to all the circumstances and it would be for the board to determine what is necessary in the case of individual applications for assistance under the scheme. In the meantime the husband of the person concerned has been awarded disability benefit at the rate of £64.35 a week which includes increases for his wife and one dependent child.
383.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny is not in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension as she is not in receipt of any means that would appear to disqualify her.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 1 November 1983 that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension as she does not fulfil the statutory condition as to means. Her means, consisting of the weekly value of her share in a holding, exceed the statutory limit of £42 per week.
384.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given in respect of the restoration of an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 14 December 1983 that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £14.60 from 21 October 1983. This is the rate of pension to which she is entitled having regard to the assessment of her means consisting of half the weekly value of two American pensions, a holding and capital. Pension at this rate is at present in payment.
An appeal was lodged by the pensioner against this decision on 9 February 1984 and the case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The pensioner will be notified of the outcome in the near future.
385.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of invalidity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The regulations provide that the claimant, apart from satisfying the contribution conditions, must be regarded as permanently incapable of work, in order to qualify for invalidity pension.
The person concerned was examined on 5 October 1983 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred again for a further examination in eight months time. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of this further examination.
In the meantime he continues to receive disability benefit at the maximum rate of £116.10 appropriate to a married man who has eight qualified children. Payment of disability benefit is being made on a regular weekly basis and there are no arrears due.
386.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given in respect of the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate of £66.90 until 22 November 1983. Following his failure to fully disclose his means to the social welfare officer reinvestigating his means, his qualification certificate was revoked and payment of unemployment assistance ceased from 23 November 1983.
He appealed against the decision and he is being given a further opportunity of fully disclosing his means before his appeal is submitted to the appeals officer for decision. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.