asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
434.
An application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned has been approved and the ESB have confirmed that it will be applied to her electricity account from the March-April 1984 billing period onwards.
435.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is ill since 3 February 1984 and has sent in medical certificates weekly only received £23.20, £34.80, £37.14 and £48.79 consecutively on a weekly basis since; if he has received any pay-related benefit; and if not, the reason for this omission.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit from 8 February 1984, the fourth day of incapacity, at £57.35 per week, the maximum rate payable to a married man.
He is also being paid pay-related benefit at £13.99 per week from 25 February 1984, the nineteenth day of incapacity. All disability and pay-related benefit due to 9 March 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
Payment was initially made at the single rate pending the return of a claim form by the person concerned. On receipt of the claim form, on 15 March 1984, payment of the increase in benefit for his wife was issued.
436.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 has been deemed ineligible to receive an allowance under the supplementary welfare benefits scheme; and the reason there has been a variation in the payment of supplementary welfare to him in recent weeks.
The scheme of supplementary welfare allowance in this area is administered by the Eastern Health Board and it is understood that the person concerned has been in receipt of weekly payments under the scheme since 25 February 1984. He is considered by the board to be involved in a trade dispute and the legislation provides that a person involved in a trade dispute may receive payment of supplementary welfare allowance in respect of his dependants but not of himself. The determination of eligibility under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme in any particular case is a matter for the health board having regard to all the circumstances. In determining eligibility the board would take account of the applicant's other income, if any, and in this case it is understood that in making the payment on 25 February 1984 account was taken of wages paid by the employer on 23 February 1984.
437.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 has not been deemed eligible to receive unemployment benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that he lost his employment by reason of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute at his place of employment.
An appeal has been made in a test case representing the employees who have been disallowed unemployment benefit under the trade dispute disqualification of the Social Welfare Acts.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
438.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Availability for work is a condition for entitlement to unemployment benefit and to fulfil this condition a claimant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 18 January 1984 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work as she had made no specific efforts to find employment. It is open to her to appeal against the disallowance of her claim. A form for this purpose may be obtained from her local office.
439.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding an application for social welfare payments made by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11.
The person concerned exhausted her title to unemployment benefit on 1 March 1984 on the completion of 390 days benefit. She continued to sign as unemployed and she is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £27.15 being the maximum rate payable to her £30.35 less £3.20 means derived from the value of board and lodging in her parents' home.
440.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £24.90 weekly which is the maximum rate payable to him £29.40 less means £4.50, derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home.
If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him 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.
441.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason pay-related benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath as she was laid off from a firm (details supplied) in County Louth in November 1983.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the claimant has sufficient earnings in the relevant income tax year.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 5 December 1983 and her entitlement to pay-related benefit is governed by the amount of her reckonable earnings during the income tax period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. However her reckonable earnings during the period were less than £1,800 per annum and accordingly she was not entitled to pay-related benefit with her flat-rate unemployment benefit which continues to be paid to her at the weekly rate of £34.80.
442.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit or assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the weekly amount and the total arrears that will be paid; the date on which he will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit of the person concerned was for a maximum of 390 days which expired on 4 January 1984.
To requalify for unemployment benefit, he would require to have a minimum of a further 13 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate rate of contribution has been paid.
He applied for unemployment assistance on 5 January 1984 and following the completion of inquiries he was assessed with means of £1.70 weekly, derived from the value of capital. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £56.60 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £58.30 less £1.70 means.
He is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue an order amounting to £613.20 for encashment at his local post office representing all arrears due to him, this week.
Further weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £56.60 will be made as they become due.
443.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The entitlement to unemployment benefit from 17 January 1984 of the person concerned could not be determined until inquiries to establish that she was capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work had been completed. These inquiries were recently completed and her claim has been allowed at £30.60 weekly, being the maximum rate appropriate in her case.
However, it was ascertained that the person concerned recently changed address and her claim papers are at present in transit from the former local office at which she signed to her nearest local office.
Payment of all arrears due will be made shortly and further payments will be made as they become due.
444.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance following the exhaustion of his title to unemployment benefit on 5 February 1984, when he completed 390 days. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means after which he was assessed with nil means.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £66.90 weekly and payment will commence this week. The balance of any arrears due will be paid as soon as the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which was paid to him pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim is known.
445.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when he will be paid; and the amount that will be paid.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 27 January 1984 in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident while serving as a member of the Defence Forces.
Employment in the Defence Forces is not insurable under the occupational injuries scheme. Accordingly injury benefit was not payable in respect of his claim. Instead the claim was treated as a claim to disability benefit.
The contributions recorded in respect of him in the governing contribution year 1982-83 are at Class H, the rate appropriate to an enlisted member of the Defence Forces. These contributions are not reckonable for disability benefit purposes while the person in respect of whom they have been paid continues to serve as a member of the Defence Forces. Following inquiries it was determined that the person concerned has not been a serving member of the Defence Forces since 19 June 1983, and disability benefit was therefore payable.
Payment of disability benefit was authorised from 27 January 1984, the first day of incapacity at the rate of £34.80 a week. In addition pay-related benefit was awarded from 17 February, the nineteenth day of incapacity, at the rate of £25.99 a week. All benefit payable to the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued.
446.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an application for unemployment assistance was made by a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; the reason he has not been paid; the reason he is not receiving supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The latest application for unemployment assistance by the person concerned was made on 25 January 1984. His case is at present with the social welfare officer for investigation and the claim will be decided as soon as the investigations have been completed.
It is understood that the person concerned applied for supplementary welfare allowance on 22 February 1984 but his claim was not allowed. The scheme of supplementary welfare allowances is administered by the health boards and under the legislation the determination of entitlement is a matter for the board. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the decision in his case it is open to him to appeal to the appeals officer, North-Eastern Health Board, Kells, County Meath.
447.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was advised to apply for unemployment assistance on 8 September 1983 but did not return the completed application form until 13 February 1984.
His case was then referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. Inquiries are still being made in the matter and when they are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
448.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance at the correct rate is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick as his wife is unemployed.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £20.20 weekly which is the maximum rate payable to him, £50.75 less £30.55 derived from his wife's earnings.
He applied for a reinvestigation of his means on 16 February 1984 and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries. His means will be reviewed in the light of the outcome and his rate of unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
449.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to a pension application made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It was decided by the local pension committee on 15 March 1984 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £20.60 plus £10.40 adult dependent allowance and £17.40 dependent child allowance from 6 January 1984 the date claimant reached 66 years. 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 profit from a holding.
The appropriate pension books payable from 6 January 1984 have been issued to the pensioner.
450.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit of systematic short-time workers is subject to the condition that the number of days worked and the number of days in respect of which unemployment benefit is payable may not exceed five.
The person concerned is engaged in systematic short-time employment for three days each week. Payment of benefit is being made for two days at the rate of £5.78 per day.
This is the rate appropriate to a person who does not satisfy the contribution condition of having not less than 280 paid contributions over the seven year period prior to the date of claim to unemployment benefit.
451.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given on an application for a contributory old age pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
One of the conditions for receipt of contributory old age pension requires a person to have contributions paid in respect of at least 156 weeks of insurable employment since his entry into insurance. The Department's records show that the person concerned had only 82 paid contributions since the beginning of 1953 and 32 such contributions prior to that year. Under the regulations the 32 paid contributions prior to 1953 may be regarded as being equal to 48 thus bringing his total number of paid contributions up to the equivalent of only 130. He does not, therefore, qualify for contributory old age pension. A copy of his insurance record has been sent to him. He has been in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate since 30 December 1977.
452.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding the eligibility for unemployment benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit from 20 July 1983 could not be determined until inquiries to establish her contribution record during the governing period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982 had been made. These inquiries were recently completed and because she has less than the required 26 reckonable contributions during this period, she does not qualify for payment of unemployment benefit. She was advised to apply for unemployment assistance, but she did not wish to do so. She continues to sign the unemployed register for credited contributions.
453.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been reduced from £29.95 per week to £9.60 per week in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; the additional means that were assessed against him and from what they arose.
The means of the person concerned were previously assessed on the notional value of his holding. Following a reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim his means were reassessed at £48.70 weekly derived from capital and from the profit from his land. Accordingly, he is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £9.60 per week, being the maximum rate payable to him £58.30 less means £48.70.
If he wishes to appeal this decision he should complete and return the appeal application form which was issued to him recently. His case will then be referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
454.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Following reinvestigation of his means the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 28 September 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from land exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the assessment of his means but an appeals officer also decided that his means exceeded the statutory limit and he was notified accordingly.
455.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in making a decision on the transferrence of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry from disability benefit to invalidity pension.
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 13 February 1984 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 after six months. He is not therefore qualified for the receipt of invalidity pension. His entitlement will be reviewed in the light of the next examination by the medical referee.
In the meantime he continues to receive disability benefit at the rate of £74.85 a week, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man who has two qualified children.
456.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing a claim for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and when a decision will be made.
The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit on 16 January 1984 after 390 days of benefit. Following the completion of inquiries he was assessed with means of £5.00 weekly derived from the value of land. He was accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance of £75.30 weekly being the maximum rate payable £80.30 less £5.00 and all arrears due were paid on 6 March 1984. Weekly payments of £75.30 continue to be made to him as they become due.
457.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
Availability for work is a condition of entitlement to unemployment benefit and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 13 January 1984 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She has appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have her case determined by an appeals officer. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
458.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid from 4 to 25 September to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and when she will be paid as she has now resumed work.
Payment of all disability benefit due to the person concerned in respect of the period from 29 September 1983, the fourth day of incapacity, to 12 October 1983, after which date she was certified fit to resume work, has been issued. The delay in issuing payment was caused by an administrative error.
459.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the reason the balance of social welfare arrears was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 6 June 1983 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against this decision and was re-examined on 11 October 1983 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work.
The case was then referred to an appeals officer who decided that the claimant was incapable of work and entitled to be paid for the period 6 June 1983 to 3 January 1984, date of the latest medical certificate before him at that time. The claimant had already been paid unemployment benefit for this period and the amount paid was treated as paid on account of disability benefit leaving a balance of £113.90. He was also paid supplementary welfare allowance for the period 11 June 1983 to 6 August 1983 amounting to £517.95. The amount of £113.90 due to the claimant was withheld and repaid to the health board. The balance due to the health board, £404.05, is being deducted at £10 per week from the claimant's weekly entitlement of £90.15.
460.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who wants to receive his disability allowance on an invalidity book rather than on the normal system of returning certificates to the Department.
The person concerned has been claiming disability benefit since 13 October 1983. Disability benefit is being paid to him at the rate of £57.35 which is the maximum rate appropriate to a married man. In addition pay-related benefit at the rate of £38.65 is being paid.
Pay-related benefit is not payable in addition to invalidity pension and, therefore, it will not be to his advantage to be considered for this pension before January 1985 when this entitlement to pay related benefit will have been exhausted.