asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has been signing on since April 1984.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
507.
The person concerned received unemployment benefit to which he was not entitled amounting to £537.38 and this sum is due to be recouped to the Department. He claimed unemployment assistance and was assessed with means at £29.90 derived from the value of board and lodging on his parent's holding. He was accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £1.85 weekly being the appropriate rate £31.75 from 4 July 1984 less £29.90 and the weekly amount due was offset against the amount of unemployment benefit overpaid to him.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of means assessed against him and recently obtained an appeal application form at his local office. When he completes and returns this form his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
508.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork did not qualify for unemployment benefit as he was available for employment.
The person concerned who is a postal applicant and a landholder signed as unemployed on one day only on 13 September 1982 and has not been in touch with his local office since that date. He was advised that he did not satisfy the contribution condition of 78 paid contributions in a three year period and as the income from his holding exeeded £2 daily unemployent benefit was not payable.
The person concerned is however the holder of a qualification certificate but the means notionally assessed against him exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance appropriate in his case when he signed as unemployed on 13 September 1982. If he now wishes to be considered for unemployment assistance he should furnish evidence of unemployent to his local office and arrangements will be made for an investigation of his means after which his entitlement to unemployment assistance would be determined.
509.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when occupational injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he submitted his claim on 22 June 1984.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 9 March 1984 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an occupational accident on 13 January 1984. Pending the completion of investigations he was paid disability benefit on an interim basis from 13 March, the fourth day of certified incapacity. Following his examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not incapable of work, payment of disability benefit was discontinued from 21 June 1984.
The claimant appealed against the disallowance of benefit and in connection with his appeal he was examined by a different medical referee who confirmed the earlier opinion. A specialist report was then received and it was decided to hold a further medical examination which has been arranged for 15 November. The claim will be reviewed in the light of the results of the further examination. In the meantime details of the occupational accident were confirmed and injury benefit was allowed from 9 March, the first day of certified incapacity. Injury benefit over and above the disability benefit already paid to 20 June has been issued. The claimant's entitlement to disablement benefit will also be considered in the light of the results of the medical examination on 15 November.
510.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when occupational injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he submitted his claim on 15 May 1984.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 17 May 1984. He indicated on both his first medical certificate and his claim form for disability benefit that his incapacity was not due to an injury at work or an occupational disease. Accordingly, he is not qualified to receive occupational injury benefit. He is qualified to receive disability benefit and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals.
511.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of Wednesday, 17 October 1984 if he is aware that the person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 did not receive her pension book at the Faussagh Road post office; whether her pension book has been made available; and the reason for the delay.
The widow's pension book for the person concerned was inadvertently sent to a wrong post office. When the error was discovered a replacement book was sent to the correct post office at Faussagh Road on 17 October 1984. It has been confirmed by the postmistress that the book arrived there and all orders to 26 October 1984 have been cashed.
512.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will make a decision on an appeal for a single woman's allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The single woman's allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that her means derived from capital and from the benefit of board and lodgings on her brother's holding exceeded the statutory limit. She recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against her and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. Her entitlement to a single woman's allowance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. The decision of the appeals officer will be made at the earliest opportunity.
513.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason full dental treatment has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, who is an old age pensioner and also paying PRSI contributions on a retirement pension.
On 5 June 1984 the person concerned claimed dental benefit in respect of treatment which included the supply of a full lower denture. Under the dental benefit scheme dentures are provided to qualified insured persons at a fixed cost, part of which is paid by the Department. The claimant is liable for the payment of the balance direct to the dentist. On 3 July 1984 the treatment was approved and the claimant was informed that his portion of the cost was £50.90. The dentist has confirmed that this amount was paid to him by the person concerned.
514.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has yet been made by his appeals officer in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been refused unemployment assistance.
The appeal of the person concerned was referred to an appeals officer. The appeals officer however directed that the case be referred back to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries are not yet completed but when they are the case will be returned to the appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance decided accordingly. He ceased to sign at his local employment office on 1 October 1984.