asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is being refused unemployment assistance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
599.
The person's entitlement to unemployment assistance was reviewed in January 1984 and he was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for work. He appealed the decision and attended an oral hearing of his appeal on 6 April 1984. The appeals officer also decided that he was not available for work and he was informed of this decision on 18 April 1984. He has continued to sign as unemployed and inquiries are again being made to ascertain if he now fulfils the conditions for unemployment assistance of being available for work. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
600.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is only receiving £8.60 unemployment assistance per week.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £8.60 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £29.40 less means £20.80. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed his means at £20.80 weekly.
He recently applied for a review of his means and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further investigation. The assessment of his means will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the inquiries and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
601.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is only receiving £24.10 unemployment assistance per week.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £57.70 weekly derived from self-employment as a mason. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £24.10 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £81.80 less means £57.70. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements are being made to have his case referred to an appeals officer. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
602.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the appeal findings for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The person concerned specifically applied for an oral hearing of an appeal made by him against the amount of means assessed against him for unemployment assistance purposes. Oral hearings of appeals take longer to arrange than cases decided summarily by appeals officers.
He has been written to and asked to furnish a written statement of the facts and contentions in support of his appeal application on receipt of which the appeals officer will determine whether an oral hearing of his appeal can be arranged. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
603.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the recent non-payment of social welfare payments to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit for a year up to 21 May 1984. His continued entitlement to payment after that date depended on his insurance record in the contribution year 1982-83. The records available to the Department showed insufficient contributions to enable benefit to be paid. Following further inquiries concerning his employment record in 1982-83 the person concerned re-qualified for payment of benefit at the appropriate maximum weekly rate from 22 May 1984. All benefit has been paid to him to date.
604.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason there is a disparity between the pensions currently being received by person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The persons concerned are a sister and brother and are presently in receipt of old age pension at the weekly rate of £34.60 and £38.60 (maximum rate) respectively. These are the rates to which they are each entitled having regard to the assessment of their means, comprising half the weekly value of a holding and the weekly value of capital. The difference in entitlements is attributable to differences in the capital sums they possess.
605.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding the award of pension to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The investigation of the old age pension claim of the person concerned will be completed shortly. The social welfare officer is awaiting details of a creamery account. When the inquiries have been completed the matter will be decided on and the claimant will be notified of the outcome in due course.
606.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay benefit due to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Following a review of her case, the person concerned has now been awarded an increase in her widow's contributory pension in respect of her grandchild, with effect from 19 August 1983. A supplementary pension order book at the weekly rate of £11.95 payable from 6 April 1984 has been sent to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. Arrears for the period from 19 August 1983 to 5 April 1984 will be paid direct to her shortly by payable order.
607.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 April 1984 but he is not qualified for payment as he had no contributions paid or credited in the 1982-1983 contribution year which governs his claim. Furthermore prior to that contribution year he has no contributions paid or credited since 1965. Regulations provided that where a claimant has no contributions paid or credited for two or more consecutive contribution years preceding his claim he cannot qualify for payment of disability benefit or the award of credited contributions in respect of periods of unemployment or incapacity for work until he has a further 26 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid.
608.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will increase a pension to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The claim of the person concerned to widow's non-contributory pension was refused in 1972 because her means at that time exceeded the limit for the receipt of this pension. She has not made any further application since then.
The Deputy's representations have however been accepted as a renewed claim on her behalf and a social welfare officer has been asked to call on her and supply an up-to-date report on her circumstances. When the report is received her case will be reviewed and she will be notified of the outcome.
609.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position regarding payment of arrears of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The benefit in question is maternity benefit, rather than disability benefit, and payment of maternity benefit has now been made to the person concerned.
610.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a maternity grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Maternity grant was discontinued in respect of all births which occurred on or after 4 April 1983. The person concerned was, however, paid maternity allowance in respect of her baby which was expected on 12 April 1984. The maternity allowance entitlement period was the 12-week period 5 March 1984 to 26 May 1984. She had been paid disability benefit up to 17 March 1983 and she was therefore paid full maternity allowance from 19 March to 26 May and an adjustment, between the rates of maternity allowance and disability benefit, for the period 5 March to 17 March.
611.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a family allowance book will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned has been awarded a children's allowance in respect of her son from February 1984. A children's allowance book at £11.25 per month payable from that date has been issued direct to her home address.
612.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal will be determined in respect of a claim for occupational injury benefit made by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 12 September 1983 in respect of an incapacity which he attributed to an accident at work on 10 April 1983. Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident, he was awarded disability benefit on an interim basis which has been paid to the date of the latest medical certificate received.
Regarding the claim for injury benefit inquiries made from his employer revealed that he had no report of an occupational accident to refer, and investigations by the social welfare officer failed also to confirm the accident. As a result the claim was rejected on the grounds that an occupational accident could not be confirmed. The claimant appealed against the decision on 13 April 1984 and the case has been referred to the appeals branch for consideration. It is proposed to hold an oral hearing of the appeal as soon as possible.