(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Health when approval will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in respect of an application for dental benefit.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
480.
The person in question does not hold a valid medical card and is therefore not entitled to dental treatment by the health board.
481.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory widow's pension at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
One of the qualifying conditions for receipt of widow's contributory pension is that there must be at least 156 contribution weeks of insurable employment, for which the appropriate contributions have been paid, between the date of entry into insurance and the date the husband died or reached pension age. This condition may be satisfied on the widow's or the late husband's insurance record.
The claim of the person concerned to a widow's contributory pension was refused because this condition was not satisfied. According to the records of the Department, she had no contributions paid prior to the death of her husband in December 1971 and there is no evidence to show that he was ever insurably employed in this country.
She is currently in receipt of widow's non-contributory pension at the rate of £23.85 per week based on her means, derived from capital and British widow's pension. This is the rate appropriate to a widow under 66 years of age with no qualified children whose means exceed £18 but do not exceed £20. Her rate of pension will be increased to £26.50 from 6 July next.
482.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 January 1984 and was paid to 8 April 1984 after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
He also received a sum of £80 supplementary welfare allowance from the South Eastern Health Board for the period from 13 February to 18 February 1984 which was due for refund to the health board. This amount was recovered from his weekly disability benefit payments from 1 March to 8 April 1984. There is no benefit outstanding to the claimant.
483.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit due for the four-day period 4 May to 8 May 1984 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 6 April 1984 and submitted an initial certificate only. Payment is not normally issued on receipt of a first medical certificate. The claimant has been requested to furnish further medical certificates or alternatively a statement from his employer showing his period of absence from work since 6 April 1984. On receipt of a reply his claim will be reviewed.
484.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment.
The person concerned made a claim to unemployment benefit on 12 March 1984. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance on 4 May 1984 and arrangements are being made to have an oral hearing of her appeal at the earliest opportunity. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
485.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who was widowed on 27 October 1982 when her husband was killed on active service in Lebanon and who has been in receipt of a Department of Defence pension is entitled to social welfare widow's pension also; if so, the reason she was not informed of this; and if she will receive back-money if she was entitled to this pension.
NCOs and enlisted personnel of the Defence Forces are liable for payment of Class H PRSI contributions which provide cover for contributory widow's pension. Widows of such persons would therefore, subject to the contribution conditions being satisfied at the date of the husband's death be entitled to contributory widow's pension.
A claim for widow's pension was received from the person concerned on 21 June 1984. It is at present being examined and if entitlement is established the question of the period for which payment is due will be considered. The services provided by the Department of Social Welfare are widely publicised and information about them is readily available from any of the Department's offices and centres. In the absence of a claim or a specific inquiry the Department is not in a position to identify and inform widows individually of their entitlements.
486.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 28 May 1984 and her claim has been allowed from that date at £34.69 weekly being the appropriate maximum flat rate unemployment benefit in her case of £30.60 and pay-related benefit of £4.09. All arrears due were paid last week and further weekly payments of £34.69 will be made as they become due.
487.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free electricity allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay as he applied approximately four months ago.
There is no trace in the Department of the receipt of an application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned.
An application form has therefore been issued to him and it should be completed and forwarded in the first instance to the ESB for attention. On receipt of the completed application in the Department the matter will be considered further and he will be notified of the outcome.
488.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to abolish local old age pension committees; and if so, when this decision will take effect.
Provision was made in the Social Welfare Act, 1984, for the abolition of old age pension committees. The Social Welfare Act, 1984, (Part IV) (Commencement) Order, 1984, (S.I. No. 158 of 1984) gives effect to the provision from 2 July 1984.
489.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have an increased rate of unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £21.40 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £29.40 less means £8 derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home.
He applied for a review of the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements have been made to refer his case to the social welfare officer for reinvestigation. When these inquiries are completed the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
490.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that due to a dispute in Britain qualified pensioners in the west of Ireland have not received British pensions for several weeks; if he is further aware that Irish non-contributory old age pension books are being revised in many of these cases leaving pensioners in some cases with no income whatsoever; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is understood that due to an industrial dispute in the Department of Health and Social Security the normal arrangements for payment of pensions to persons living outside the United Kingdom have been interrupted. Alternative arrangements for payment in these cases have however been made by the British authorities. To avail of the alternative arrangements pensioners should write to Overseas Group, Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE 98 1YX giving full identifying particulars and enclosing the counterfoil of the last payment received. Information about these arrangements was circulated to post offices and community welfare offices.
In relation to entitlement to Irish non-contributory old age pension, a person in receipt of a United Kingdom pension would have that pension assessed as means where he applies for non-contributory pension in Ireland. Entitlement is established on the basis of the yearly value of means and the temporary interruption of British pension payments would not affect the rate of non-contributory old age pension payable. In such a situation however it is open to any person in need of assistance to apply for such assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The local community welfare officers who administer that scheme are aware of the situation.
491.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the period a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 received supplementary welfare as a deserted wife from the Eastern Health Board.
From the details supplied the Eastern Health Board who administer the supplementary welfare allowances scheme in the Dublin area have been unable to trace an application for assistance from the person concerned.
If the Deputy will supply further details, such as date of application and any previous address, the information will be conveyed to the health board and the Deputy will be informed of the outcome.
492.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to fulfil this condition an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 8 May 1984. Arising from his failure to complete an AnCO course without good reason, his claim was disallowed from 8 May 1984 to 18 June 1984. If he is dissatisfied with the decision in his case it is open to him to appeal and to have the matter determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance from 19 June 1984 is at present being reviewed in the light of his recent efforts to secure employment. When these inquiries have been completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance from 19 June 1984 will be determined.
493.
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 proved unemployment from 24 June 1983 to 2 August 1983. His unemployment assistance claim was allowed but due to an oversight arrears of unemployment assistance due to him were not paid as had been arranged. The manager of his local office has written to him advising him that he or someone nominated by him may call to the local office and collect the arrears.
494.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying arrears of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit since 2 January 1984 and all benefit payable to 14 June 1984 the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued.
There is no trace of a claim for benefit having been received in 1978. The claimant submitted medical evidence of incapacity for the period August 1978 to December 1983 in December 1983.
The regulations provide that where a claimant fails to give notice of incapacity for work within 7 days he is disqualified from receiving payment of disability benefit in respect of any period more than seven days before the date on which notice was given.
Where however good cause for late notification is shown it is possible under the regulations to accept a claim from an earlier date. In such circumstances under the regulations payment is limited to a period of six months prior to the actual date of receipt of the medical evidence of incapacity. However in the present instance the claimant had been in receipt of a disabled persons maintenance allowance from the Southern Health Board from October 1982 to December 1983. The allowance and disability benefit could not be paid in respect of the same period and retrospective payment of disability benefit was not therefore, appropriate in this case.
495.
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 injury benefit in respect of an accident at work on 7 March 1984.
Pending investigations disability benefit was allowed on an interim basis and has been paid for the period from 15 March, the fourth day of certified incapacity to 2 June after which he was certified fit to resume work.
Inquiries made from his employer failed to confirm the accident at work. Further investigations are being carried out and the claim to injury benefit will be decided as soon as possible.
496.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned made a claim to unemployment benefit on 30 April 1984 and his claim was allowed from that date. He is at present in receipt of combined weekly payments of £56.56 weekly, representing £53.70 flat rate unemployment benefit and £2.86 pay-related benefit. Weekly payments are continuing as they fall due.
He had claimed disability benefit from 29 December 1983 but was not entitled to payment as according to the records of the Department he had not the required minimum of 26 contributions recorded in 1981-82, the contribution year governing his claim. Neither had he the required minimum of 26 contributions in the 1982-83 contribution year which governed his claim from 2 January 1984.
It has since been established that the claimant had sufficient contributions paid for 1982-83 to qualify him for payment from 2 January 1984. All disability benefit payable from 2 January 1984 to 28 April 1984, after which date he was certified as fit to resume work, has been issued less a refund to the Southern Health Board of supplementary welfare allowance already advanced.
497.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having arrears of widow's pension paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
A payable order for arrears of widow's non-contributory pension was sent to the person concerned on 20 June 1984. Deductions were made in respect of the amount of her husband's unemployment assistance paid to her for six weeks after his death and the supplementary welfare allowance which the South Eastern Health Board paid her since then. The arrears could not be paid until the health board's claim for recoupment was received.
498.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disablement pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned received injury benefit for the period from 1 June 1982 to 29 November 1982 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 1 June 1982. There is no trace however of a claim for disablement benefit from him in respect of the accident.
The Deputy's question has been treated as a claim for disablement benefit and arrangements have been made for a medical examination on 4 July of the person concerned to assess his disablement. A decision will then be made in the case.
499.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Under the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts a person must have at least 156 contributions paid since entry into insurance in order to qualify for payment of disability benefit for a period exceeding 52 weeks.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has only a total of 110 contributions paid since entry into insurance. Her entitlement to payment of disability benefit was therefore exhausted on 14 June 1984 when a total of 52 weeks had been paid.
There was a delay in issuing payment on her claim from 17 May 1984 to 14 June 1984 due to an administrative error. The matter has now been rectified and all arrears of benefit were issued on 22 June 1984. It will not be possible for the person concerned to requalify for disability benefit until she has resumed insurable employment for a further period of at least 13 weeks.
500.
(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 reapplied for unemployment assistance on 18 November 1983. Due to an oversight payment of unemployment assistance was made to him on the basis of means previously assessed against him whereas payment should not have been made until his means had been re-assessed. Payments were discontinued from 29 May 1984 when the error came to light.
His case has since been reviewed and his means derived from the profit from his holding have been assessed at being in excess of the statutory limit from 18 November 1983. He is being informed accordingly this week. It is open to him to appeal against the amount of means assessed against him and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
501.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of disability benefit will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 30 April 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and medical evidence has been received in support of her appeal. Arrangements are being made to have her examined by a different medical referee at an early date. Her entitlement to further payment of disability benefit will be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report following this examination.
502.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the maximum rate of non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned is in receipt of an old age non-contributory pension at the maximum personal rate of £38.60 a week. His wife is in receipt of disability benefit of £30.60. She is not, therefore, a dependant of her husband for old age pension purposes and an adult dependant allowance cannot be paid in respect of her. She has been invited to claim invalidity pension which would be more favourable than disability benefit and when the completed application is received her entitlement will be considered and she will be notified of the outcome.
503.
(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 claimed unemployment assistance on 8 February 1984. Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land, capital and a disablement pension exceeded the rate payable to him.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and on 25 April 1984 an appeals officer also assessed him with means in excess of the rate payable in his case. He was informed accordingly. He applied for a review of his means and the case has been referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these investigations are completed the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed.
504.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned payment was disallowed from 12 October 1983 on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his holding and from capital exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and on 21 December 1983 an appeals officer also assessed him with means exceeding the statutory limit. He has been informed accordingly.
505.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for unemployment benefit from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, payment was disallowed from 28 December 1983 on the grounds that his means, derived from the profit from his holding and from the capital value of a house not used by him, exceeded the rate payable in his case. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and on 30 April 1984 an appeals officer also assessed him with means in excess of the rate payable. He has been informed accordingly.
506.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for an increased rate of unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £10.70 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £28 less means £17.30 derived from the profit from the letting of his holding.
An application for an increase in the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him has not been received from the person concerned. It is, however, open to him to seek a review of the amount of means assessed against him and a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
507.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £21.60 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £29.40 less means £7.80 derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents home. It is open to him to seek a review of the amount of means assessed against him and a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
508.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an appeal against his decision to grant unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
509.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant must be fully available for work and a person who limits his availability to reduced working periods cannot be regarded as being fully available for work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 6 January 1984 and his claim was allowed up to 28 February 1984. Following the completion of inquiries his claim was disallowed from 29 February 1984 on the grounds that by reason of being available for part-time work only he did not fulfil the condition of being available for work from that date. He was notified of the decision on 7 March 1984 and he ceased to sign as unemployed after 13 March 1984.
510.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for unemployment benefit from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned payment was disallowed from 25 January 1984 on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his holding exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and on 27 March 1984 an appeals officer also assessed him with means exceeding the statutory limit. He has been informed accordingly.
511.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 13 January 1984. Following investigation of his means by a social welfare officer his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the value of board and lodgings on his parent's holding, exceeded the rate payable in his case. It is open to him to appeal against the amount of means assessed against him and to have his case determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
512.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of £49.60 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £88.05 less means £38.45 derived from the profit from his holding. It is open to him to seek a review of the amount of means assessed against him and a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
513.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for disability benefit from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 18 February 1984. He was paid from 22 February 1984, the fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 10 March 1984, nineteenth day of incapacity. All disability and pay-related benefit payable to 19 June 1984, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
514.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £6.05 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £48.35 less means £42.30 derived from benefit from his uncle's holding. It is open to him to seek a review of the amount of means assessed against him and a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
515.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an application for disability benefit from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It has not been possible to trace a benefit claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number of the claimant can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied.
516.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant an increase in the disability benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It has not been possible to trace a benefit claim for the person concerned. If the RSI number of the claimant can be quoted this will enable the claim to be identified and the information sought by the Deputy to be supplied.
517.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a telephone rental allowance has been approved for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance an applicant must be living alone or only with children under the age of 15 years or other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in an emergency.
There is no trace in the Department of receipt of an application for the allowance from the person concerned. From the information available however he would not satisfy the conditions for receipt of the allowance as he is living with his son who is aged 41 years and is not a permanently incapacitated person as required by the scheme.
518.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when benefit in respect of a second child will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
An increase in her allowance in respect of her second child has now been awarded to the person concerned. The payment book will be issued to the nominated post office within the next day or two and she will be notified accordingly. The arrears will be paid separately by payable order.
519.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when occupational injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned has been allowed occupational injury benefit in respect of the periods from 15 November 1983 to 17 December 1983 and from 12 January 1984 to 13 February 1984. Payment of benefit has been made at the rate appropriate to disability benefit. The difference between that rate and the rate for occupational injury benefit has been held and offset against an overpayment of disability benefit on a previous claim.
520.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is being refused to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 28 January 1978 to 25 January 1979. Payment ceased at that date as according to the records of the Department she has less than 156 contributions paid on her behalf since her entry into insurance and was, therefore, only entitled to payment of benefit for 52 weeks. In order for her to requalify for payment of benefit it would be necessary for her to resume insurable employment for a period of at least 13 weeks.