asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as he has been signing since June 1983 and has no means whatever; the date on which he will be paid; the total arrears and the weekly amount that will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
398.
The unemployment assistance application of 27 June 1983 by the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means of £36 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parents' holding, assessed against him exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case. He appealed against the decision but an appeals officer confirmed his means at £36.00 weekly.
399.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason only £34.00 per week social welfare benefit is being paid to persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and when a decision on his appeal in this matter will be available.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been investigated and referred to the local pension committee for decision. Pension at the weekly rate of £22.60 plus £11.40 adult dependant allowance has been recommended by the social welfare officer with effect from 21 November 1983. This is the rate of pension to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means, consisting of half the weekly value of a holding and capital.
When the pension committee has given its decision the pensioner will be notified of the outcome and if he is dissatisfied he will have the right to appeal against it.
400.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a contributory old age pension was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and the steps he will take to alleviate the problem.
One of the conditions for receipt of contributory old age pension under the Social Welfare Acts requires a claimant to have a yearly average of at least 20 reckonable contributions over the period from the beginning of the 1983 contribution year or from the beginning of the year in which he entered insurance, whichever is the later, to the end of the last complete contribution year before he reached pension age. The Department's records show that the person concerned had a total of only 238 reckonable contributions in the required period and as this is equal to a yearly average of only seven he does not qualify for the pension. The decision that he does not qualify for a contributory old age pension was upheld by an appeals officer whose decision in the matter is final and conclusive, unless new facts are brought to notice.
When the local social welfare officer called on him to investigate his entitlement to a non-contributory old age pension he said that he did not wish to be considered for such a pension. He should contact the Department as quickly as possible if he now wishes to have his entitlement to a non-contributory pension considered.
401.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary is only receiving £13.95 per week, as she has a very limited income of just £14.00 from her other resources; when her pension will be increased; the amount it will be increased to; and when this revised pension will be paid.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension at the rate of £13.85 per week. This is the rate of pension payable to a widow under 66 years of age without qualified children and whose weekly means exceed £28.00 but do not exceed £30.00. Her means derived from a half share in a holding of land plus a British pension and capital are assessed at £29.93 per week.
The claimant has appealed against the rate of pension awarded to her and in this connection the local social welfare officer has been requested to furnish an up-to-date report of her means. When this report is received the case will be reviewed and if necessary it will be forwarded to an appeals officer for determination. That officer's decision will be conveyed to the claimant as soon as it is given.
The claimant's possible entitlement to a contributory widow's pension on the basis of her late husband's insurance is being further investigated and the Department will notify her of the outcome when these inquiries are completed.
402.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of maternity benefit has not yet been made to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when this payment will be made; and the amount that will be paid.
A claim form for maternity benefit in respect of the person concerned was not received in the Department until 28 February 1984. The claim has been authorised for payment for the 14 week period from 13 February 1984 to 19 May 1984 at the weekly rate of £92.33. A cheque for £461.65 representing the five weeks benefit due to date has been issued and further payments will be made at regular weekly intervals as they fall due.
403.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance at the maximum rate is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance of £50.50 per week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case £50.75 per week less means of 25 pence derived from the value of lodgings on his father's farm.
His case has been referred to a social welfare officer for re-assessment of his means and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report. In the meantime weekly payments of £50.50 will continue to be made as they become due.
404.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a living alone allowance, free travel and a free electricity allowance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is in receipt of old age contributory pension. There is no record of receipt of a claim for a living alone allowance or free electricity allowances from him but the local social welfare officer has been asked to call on him to investigate the living alone allowance entitlement and to advise him of the procedure for claiming the free electricity allowance. A decision regarding the allowance will be made when the social welfare officer's report is received.
A free travel pass will be issued to him within the next few days.