asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
503.
The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit on 30 January 1984 after which he claimed unemployment assistance. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means and following the completion of inquiries he was assessed with nil means. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £113.75 weekly and all arrears due less an amount of supplementary welfare allowance received by him pending a decision on his claim were paid to him on 21 March 1984. Further weekly payments of £113.75 continue to be made as they become due.
504.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he is married with four children.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 July 1982 and has been paid to 26 March 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received. From 2 January 1984 he was incorrectly paid at a reduced rate of £88.90 per week. It was subsequently established that he was entitled to benefit at the maximum rate of £90.15 per week which is the rate applicable to a married couple with four qualified children, and a cheque for the arrears of benefit due to him was issued on 2 April 1984.
505.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason only £65 unemployment assistance is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since April 1980 and all benefit due has been paid to date. He is in receipt of £65.60 per week, the maximum rate payable to a married couple with one dependent child.
506.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at regular weekly intervals and payment has been made to date. A form on which to claim invalidity pension was forwarded to him on 29 March 1984 and on its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
507.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
An applicant 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 revealed that the value of his holding exceeded £2 per day. Accordingly, his claim was disallowed with effect from 26 December 1983 and he was advised accordingly.
508.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding the payment of pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
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 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned is £88.05 weekly and because he is in receipt of unemployment benefit at the weekly rate of £116.10, which exceeds the 85 per cent limit, he is not entitled to pay-related benefit.
509.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Following the completion of inquiries about his means, the application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance has been authorised at £55.55 per week being the maximum weekly rate payable. All arrears due will be paid this week. Weekly payments of £55.55 will continue to be made as they fall due.
510.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 October 1983 and submitted an initial certificate only which indicated that her incapacity commenced on that day. Payment of benefit is not made on receipt of a first certificate which is a notice of incapacity only. Continuing medical evidence is required to enable payment to be issued.
Following receipt of the Deputy's question her employers were contacted and it was confirmed that she was absent from work through illness from 17 October 1983 to 28 October 1983.
All benefit due for the period from 20 October 1983, the fourth day of incapacity, to 28 October 1983 has been issued.
511.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a deserted wife's allowance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
One of the conditions for receipt of a deserted wife's payment is that the wife must make and continue to make reasonable efforts within the means available to her to trace her husband's whereabouts and to prevail on him to contribute to the support of herself and her children. The original claim of the person concerned, received on 9 May 1983, was disallowed because it was held that she had not satisfied this condition. She re-applied on 10 November 1983 and, following the receipt from her recently of evidence indicating that she has made unsuccessful efforts to trace her husband, she has now been awarded deserted wife's allowance for herself and one child with effect from 10 November 1983 at the maximum weekly rate of £47.70.
An order book payable from 5 April 1984 has been issued to the designated post office for collection and she has been notified accordingly. Arrears for the period from 10 November 1983 to 4 April 1984, less deductions in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during this time, will be sent direct to the claimant by payable order within the next few days.
512.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance following exhaustion of his title to unemployment benefit on 4 March 1984 on the completion of 390 days. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means and, following the completion of inquiries, he was assessed with means at £19.70 weekly derived from a pension and the value of a plot of land. He is accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £31.05 weekly, being the maximum rate payable to him £50.75 less £19.70, and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
513.
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 has three children; and the reason for the delay in making a decision.
The claim of the person concerned to a deserted wife's payment, which was received on 6 March 1984, is at present under investigation by a local officer of the Department. When his inquiries are completed and a report received from him a decision will be given in the case and the claimant will be notified of the outcome. In the meantime she is in receipt of the dependant's portions of her husband's disability benefit plus a small payment of supplementary welfare allowance.
514.
(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 assessed with means of £6.40 weekly and is, accordingly, in receipt of £23.00 a week being the maximum rate payable £29.40 less means. All arrears due were paid last week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
515.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Following a re-investigation of his case the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from land exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the assessment of his means and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred again to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries were recently completed and arrangements are being made to have the case determined by an appeals officer after which his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
516.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review payment of unemployment assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Following exhaustion of entitlement to unemployment benefit the person concerned was assessed with £7.70 means weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging on his father's holding. Accordingly, he is entitled to payment of unemployment assistance at £21.70 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £29.40 less means £7.70. Payment of all arrears due to him will be made this week. 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.
517.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension from 16 February 1984. A pension book payable from 26 April 1984 will be issued to the designated post office of payment shortly.
Arrears in respect of the period from 16 February 1984 to 25 April 1984, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period will be paid by payable order.
518.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the maximum rate of unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further investigations. Extensive inquiries are still being made but when they are completed the assessment of his means will be determined by an appeals officer and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed accordingly. In the meantime payments of unemployment assistance at £2.50 weekly being the maximum rate £55.55 less £53.05 means continue to be made to him.
519.
(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 by failing to furnish full details of her means she failed to show that her means do not exceed the statutory limit. If she is dissatisfied with the decision it is open to her to appeal. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
520.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was paid at only the single person rate to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 January 1984 and payment was issued from 9 January 1984, fourth day of incapacity. In addition, pay-related benefit was issued from 26 January 1984, nineteenth day of incapacity.
Disability benefit was paid at the reduced rate appropriate to a married woman who had 41 contributions registered in 1982-83, the contribution year governing her claim.
Married women are not entitled to increases for dependants unless their spouses are incapable of self-support by reason of some physical or mental infirmity and are being wholly or mainly maintained by the claimant. The claimant had not indicated that this situation pertained in her household.
521.
(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 does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit. However, inquiries are being made to ascertain if contributions are due in respect of his employment and when his contribution record is established his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed. In the meantime he has been advised of his right to claim unemployment assistance.
522.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a maternity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Maternity benefit is now in payment to the person concerned for the 14-week period 17 February 1984 to 24 May 1984.
523.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefits have not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway despite the fact that she has been signing since September 1983; the weekly amount and the total arrears that will be paid; the date on which she will be paid and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 employment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 16 September 1983 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of her case on 10 January 1984. The appeals officer also decided that she was not available for work and disallowed her unemployment benefit claim. She was notified accordingly on 17 January 1984.
524.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit/assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as he has been signing for a long period of time; the weekly amount that will be paid; the total amount of arrears that will be paid; the date on which both of these will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 6 January 1984 and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. The inquiries are at present being made and when they are completed entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed.
525.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway, as he has been signing for a long time and is in urgent need of financial assistance; the weekly amount to be paid; the total arrears to be paid; the date on which they will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an investigation of his case on the grounds that his means, derived from self-employment as a tiler, exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and in the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred again to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of his decision.
526.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as he has been signing for a long period of time and is in urgent need of assistance; the weekly amount, the total amount of arrears to be paid; the date on which they will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until inquiries about his means had been completed. These inquiries were recently completed and he was assessed with means at £38.40 weekly derived from profit from his holding. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £31.75 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him
£70.15 weekly less £38.40 means. He is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue him with an order for encashment at his local post office amounting to £973.70 representing arrears of unemployment assistance due this week. Further weekly payments of £31.75 will be made as they become due.
527.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the number of people especially young people being disqualified from social welfare benefits in the Macroom area on the grounds that they are not available for work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is a condition for receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance that the claimant is available for work and claimants are interviewed periodically for the purpose of confirming that they satisfy this condition. Where it is found that claimants are not available for work, their claims must be disallowed.
This has always been the position and applies throughout the country. There is no evidence that large numbers of claims have been disallowed in the area referred to in the question arising from the implementation of this procedure.
528.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has made every effort to gain employment and has evidence to prove this both from the National Manpower Service and other employers.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the conditions that an applicant must be fully available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 28 October 1983 and his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for work and that he was not genuinely seeking but unable to obtain work. He appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of his case on 2 February 1984. The appeals officers also decided that he was not available for work and he was notified accordingly.
529.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork lost an appeal in respect of his claim for unemployment assistance on the grounds that he was unavailable for work even though strong evidence was submitted on behalf of his application both by employers and National Manpower.
An oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 23 August 1983. At the hearing the person concerned was afforded every opportunity of explaining his case and making any submissions he considered relevant. The appeals officer, however, was of opinion that he did not fulfil the conditions for receipt of unemployment assistance of being available for work. Accordingly, his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed from 21 March 1983 to 25 October 1983 after which he ceased to sign as unemployed.
530.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly since 27 January 1984.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries to establish that she fulfilled the conditions of being fully available for work were completed. The inquiries were recently completed and her claim was allowed at the maximum rate of flat-rate unemployment benefit £30.60 weekly and pay-related benefit at £1.98 weekly. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further combined payments at £32.58 will be made as they become due.
531.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly for four weeks.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 October 1983 and payment of benefit has been issued from 11 October 1983, the fourth day of incapacity. Pay-related benefit has also issued from 28 October 1983, the nineteenth day of incapacity. Payments are made on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity and all benefit due to 17 March 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
532.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Availability for work is a condition of entitlement to unemployment benefit and to fulfil this condition a claimant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment. Following the completion of extensive inquiries the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. It is open to her to appeal against the disallowance of her claim and to have her case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
533.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £19.80 per week which is the maximum rate payable to her £29.40 less means £9.60 derived from board and lodging on her parents holding. She applied to have her means reviewed but following further investigation, her means were again assessed at £9.60 per week. It is however open to her to appeal and to have her means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
534.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly by a medical referee as he has been on disability benefit since May 1980 and has appealed his claim; and if he will be called to appear before another medical referee.
The person concerned was disallowed payment of disability benefit from 12 March 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He has appealed against the decision to disallow payment of benefit. However, in order that his appeal may proceed he should submit medical evidence of incapacity for work subsequent to 12 March 1984. He has been notified to this effect.
535.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
A claimant for unemployment benefit who is a landholder but does not satisfy the contribution conditions of having 78 contributions paid in a three year period is not entitled to unemployment benefit if the income from his holding exceeds £2.00 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. These inquiries were completed recently and revealed that the value of his holding exceeds £2.00 per day. Accordingly his claim to unemployment benefit was disallowed.
536.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision on an unemployment assistance application will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £15.00 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home. Accordingly, he is entitled to payment of unemployment assistance at £13.00 being the maximum rate payable to him £28.00 less £15.00 means and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due to him this week.
537.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned was awarded free telephone rental allowance with effect from 17 November 1983 and he was notified to this effect on 11 January 1984. Telecom Éireann have confirmed that credit for all rental due for the period 17 November 1983 to 30 June 1984 will be applied to his telephone account for the quarter ending 30 June 1984, which will be issued in the near future.
538.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension book will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as he appears to be clearly entitled to same.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 2 April 1980 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. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
539.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance/benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned received unemployment benefit until 31 January 1984 when his claim ceased on receiving the maximum entitlement of 390 days benefit. He would require 13 employment contributions at the appropriate rate to requalify for unemployment benefit. He applied for unemployment assistance from I February 1984 and his case has been 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.
540.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath as he applied on 9 February 1984.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to unemployment benefit on 12 October 1983 when he completed 390 days of benefit. However, due to an error at his local office payment of unemployment benefit was extended to 10 February 1984 and the amount overpaid is due to be recouped to the Department. He was assessed with nil means and he is entitled to the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him £29.40. The applicant has agreed to weekly deductions of £5.00 from current weekly payments of unemployment assistance and arrangements have been made to commence weekly payments at £24.40 this week.
541.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a decision has not been made on an appeal against the withdrawal of a deserted wife's allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The appeal of the person concerned against the decision terminating her deserted wife's allowance has been referred to an appeals officer for determination and she will be informed shortly of the date and place for an oral hearing of her case. When a decision is given she will be notified of the outcome.
542.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork for the period 4 June 1982 to 28 June 1982 as she was out of work because of illness.
When the person concerned claimed disability benefit in June 1982 it was necessary to make inquiries to establish whether she had sufficient contributions in the relevant governing contribution year in order to qualify for payment of benefit. It was subsequently established that she was entitled to payment of benefit but arising from an administrative error no payments were issued in respect of the claim which was for the period from 5 June 1982 to 28 June 1982. The matter has now been rectified and all arrears of disability and pay-related benefit have been issued.
543.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Welford.
The person concerned has been approved for free telephone rental allowance and a notification to this effect was issued to him on 22 March 1984. Telecom Éireann have been advised of the decision and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which telephone service is provided.
544.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when free electricity will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
A free electricity allowance applied to the account of the person concerned from May 1983. The allowance was terminated in October 1983 as the claimant's daughter, who came to reside with him, was not a person who comes within the excepted categories for satisfying the living alone condition of the scheme. It has recently come to light that the claimant's daughter has since died and the allowance has accordingly been restored. The ESB have been instructed to apply the allowance to his electricity account from the November-December 1983 billing period onwards.
545.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Availability for work is a condition of entitlement to unemployment benefit and to fulfil this condition a claimant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment. The entitlement to unemployment benefit from 27 February 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 unemployment benefit at the maximum weekly rate of £30.60 has been allowed. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week.
546.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if long term benefit is payable in pension form to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 24 March 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. Arrangements are being made to have her examined by a medical referee on 12 April 1984. Her entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
547.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit with effect from 26 January 1984 at the weekly rate of £40.60 which is the maximum rate of benefit for a woman with no qualified children. An order book payable from 5 April 1984 has been sent to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. A payable order for arrears for the period from 26 January 1984 to 4 April 1984 will be sent to her shortly.
548.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £19.80, £29.40 less means £9.60 derived from land. Arrangements have been made to have her means reviewed by a social welfare officer. When the completed report is received her means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to her will be determined accordingly.
549.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if so, when.
To be entitled to unemployment assistance an applicant must be the holder of a qualification certificate. The person concerned has been asked to furnish evidence of his date of birth to enable his application for a qualification certificate to be considered. When he does so his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined and the arrears of unemployment assistance due will be paid to him.
550.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 February 1984 and has been paid to 20 March 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the South Eastern Health Board. While his claim was being processed he was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance and before payment of disability benefit could issue it was necessary to make inquiries from the health board to establish the amounts of benefit due for refund.
551.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance has been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, as he has been signing for several months.
The entitlement of the person concerned could not be determined until investigations by the social welfare officer to enable his means to be assessed had been completed. The social welfare officer was awaiting a reply to certain inquiries which have only now been received. The case is in transit to headquarters for an assessment of his means on the basis of the report of the social welfare officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome.
552.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit have not been paid in full to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned exhausted his title to unemployment benefit on 27 March 1984 when he completed 390 days of benefit and he received all flat rate unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit to which he was entitled. He applied for unemployment assistance and he was assessed with nil means. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £66.90 weekly and payment will commence this week after which weekly payments will be made as they become due.
553.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when full benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit form 11 February 1984 to 24 March 1984, and was paid at the weekly rate of £30.60, the maximum rate payable to a married woman, from 15 February 1984, fourth day of incapacity. She was also paid pay related benefit of £4.97 per week, from 3 March 1984, the nineteenth day of incapacity. All benefit due has been paid.
554.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is a landholder and an applicant for unemployment benefit. He did not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 paid contributions in a three year period. His case was, however, referred to a social welfare officer to ascertain the value of his holding. Following the completion of inquiries which revealed that the value of his holding exceeded £2.00 per day his unemployment benefit claim was disallowed with effect from 13 October 1983. However he has now been allowed unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £35.50 with effect from 13 October 1983. This is the maximum rate payable in respect of a married man with seven dependent children and weekly rate of means of £57.65. Arrangements have been made to have all arrears due paid this week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
555.
andMr. P. Brennan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow is receiving only £9.00 per week social assistance.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £9.00 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £28.00 less means £19.00. Means in his case are derived from capital and from a pension from his former employer. 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.
556.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of money refunded to each health board on behalf of each county for the payment on supplementary allowance in 1983.
Expenditure by health boards on supplementary welfare allowances is met jointly by grants from the Exchequer through the Social Welfare Vote and grants by the local authorities in the area concerned. The Exchequer payments are determined by reference to overall expenditure by health boards and are not apportioned as between the counties which make up the health board area. The amounts paid to each health board by the Department of Social Welfare and the local authorities in respect of expenditure on supplementary welfare allowances, including costs of administration, in 1983 are set out in the following table:
|
Health Board |
Amount paid by Department of Social Welfare |
Amount paid by local authority |
Total |
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
||
|
Eastern Health Board |
10,101,214 |
Dublin Corporation |
3,429,366 |
|
|
Dublin County Council |
650,000 |
|||
|
Kildare County Council |
305,593 |
|||
|
Wicklow County Council |
250,000 |
14,736,173 |
||
|
Midland Health Board |
677,248 |
Laois County Council |
224,246 |
|
|
Longford County Council |
130,000 |
|||
|
Offaly County Council |
340,831 |
|||
|
Westmeath County Council |
243,563 |
1,615,888 |
||
|
Mid Western Health Board |
1,038,228 |
Clare County Council |
160,018 |
|
|
Limerick Corporation |
224,835 |
|||
|
Limerick County Council |
138,466 |
|||
|
Tipperary North Riding |
278,861 |
1,840,408 |
||
|
North Eastern Health Board |
1,692,334 |
Cavan County Council |
— |
|
|
Louth County Council |
— |
|||
|
Meath County Council |
435,574 |
|||
|
Monaghan County Council |
30,000 |
2,157,908 |
||
|
North Western |
1,887,072 |
Donegal County Council |
311,767 |
|
|
Leitrim County Council |
68,000 |
|||
|
Sligo County Council |
215,495 |
2,482,334 |
||
|
South Eastern Health Board |
2,433,282 |
Carlow County Council |
65,692 |
|
|
Kilkenny County Council |
— |
|||
|
Tipperary South Riding |
424,739 |
|||
|
Waterford Corporation |
77,610 |
|||
|
Waterford County Council |
72,784 |
|||
|
Wexford County Council |
225,000 |
3,299,107 |
||
|
Southern Health Board |
2,148,864 |
Cork Corporation |
592,000 |
|
|
Cork County Council |
1,119,652 |
|||
|
Kerry County Council |
647,902 |
4,508,418 |
||
|
Western Health Board |
851,758 |
Galway County Council |
654,195 |
|
|
Mayo County Council |
898,357 |
|||
|
Roscommon County Council |
540,984 |
2,945,294 |
557.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance from 24 June 1983 to 2 August 1983 but due to misfiling of papers at his local office authorisation of payment was delayed. He was assessed with nil means and he is entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum rate payable to him of £28.00 weekly. Arrangements have now been made to have all assistance due, amounting to £149.34, paid to him this week.
558.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 January 1984 to 28 January 1984 and from 1 February 1984 to 7 February 1984 but was not entitled to payment as according to the records of the Department she had less than the required minimum of 26 contributions recorded for 1982-83, the year on which her entitlement to payment was based. It has since been verified that the claimant had sufficient contributions paid for 1982-83 to qualify her for payment and all benefit due on both claims has been issued. Delay occurred in notifying the claimant of the position regarding her claims as she quoted an incorrect RSI number on the medical certificates submitted by her.
559.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The entitlement of the person concerned could not be determined until inquiries to ascertain why she left her employment and whether she fulfilled the condition of being available for work had been completed. These inquiries were recently completed and her claim was allowed at £34.80 weekly and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week. Further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
560.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 26 April 1983 and is currently paid to 26 March 1984, date of the latest medical evidence received. The claimant had been submitting certificates to the Department quoting an RSI number which was allocated to her prior to marriage. She was recently advised to quote her current RSI number on all further certificates and payment of benefit is, accordingly, issuing promptly on receipt of medical evidence in the Department. Payment for the period from 6 to 12 March 1984, was delayed as a result of the changeover from one number to the other.
561.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
An application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned has been approved and she was notified accordingly on 8 February 1984. The ESB have confirmed that the allowance will be applied to her electricity account from the March-April 1984 billing period onwards.
562.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 3 January 1984 and his claim was allowed at £34.80 weekly being the maximum rate appropriate in his case. Pay-related benefit was allowed at £24.55 weekly being the maximum rate payable to a person whose reckonable yearly earnings in the relevant income tax period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 were £6,710. Further payments of unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit at the combined weekly rate of £59.35 are continuing as they become due.
563.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he applied for it 12 weeks ago; and the reason for the delay.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until investigations about his means were completed. He failed to co-operate with the social welfare officer on his first visit. He was given a further opportunity of disclosing his means and the report of the social welfare officer is at present in transit to headquarters for an assessment of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome.
564.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when travelling expenses will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he was on occupational injuries benefit.
The person concerned claimed recoupment of expenses under the medical care provisions of the occupational injury benefit scheme in respect of treatment received following an occupational accident. Under the medical care scheme costs may be allowed to the extent that they are not covered by the Health Acts.
Following consideration it has been decided to allow certain costs including those in respect of conveyance to and from places where some of the medical care was provided. The person concerned has been notified of the decision and payment of the amount due has been made to him.
565.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when deserted wife's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay.
An appeal by the person concerned against the disallowance of her claim for deserted wife's allowance benefit was turned down by an appeals officer in October 1981. She re-applied in December 1982 but the appeals officer decided that there were no new facts or fresh evidence that would warrant a review of the decision.
The person concerned re-applied last August but the appeals officer reaffirmed the earlier decisions given and she was notified to this effect on 10 November 1983. There has been no further correspondence from her since that date.
566.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of non-contributory old age pensions to persons (details supplied) in County Waterford.
It was decided by the local Pension Committee on 1 February 1984 that the persons concerned are both entitled to pension at the maximum rate from 5 May 1983.
The appropriate pension books payable from 3 February 1984 were issued on 30 March 1984 and all arrears due are in the course of issue. The delay in finalising their claims was due to the fact that deeds of transfer in respect of four holdings were only received recently.
567.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 12 March 1984 but his claim was disallowed up to 14 April 1984 on the grounds that he lost his employment through circumstances within his own control. He appealed against the disallowance and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination.
In the meantime, be continues to sign the unemployment register for credited contributions and his entitlement to payment from 15 April 1984 will be reviewed in the light of his availability for employment and the efforts he is making to get suitable employment from that date.
568.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when occupational injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned submitted a completed claim form for disability benefit on 26 October 1981 in respect of an incapacity which she attributed to an accident at work.
She was awarded disability benefit at the rate of £22.25 a week from 23 October the fourth day of certified incapacity and was paid in respect of the period to 9 January 1982 after which she was certified fit to resume work.
As a result of an administrative error there was a delay in investigating her claim for injury benefit.
Following inquiries by the social welfare officer it was accepted that an occupational accident had occurred as claimed and injury benefit was awarded from 19 October the date of the accident. Injury benefit over and above the disability benefit already paid has been issued.