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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Dec 1984

Vol. 354 No. 12

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

260.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of children's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.

A claim in respect of a third child born on 3 April 1983 was received in the Department in September 1983 and the children's allowance was awarded in respect of her effect from October 1983.

This is the earliest date from which the allowance could be awarded as the application was not made within three months following the birth of the child.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of £48.20 per month in respect of four qualified children.

261.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused disability benefit from 7 July 1983.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 July 1982 and was paid to 2 July 1983. Payment ceased after that date as he had not the required 156 paid contributions since his entry into insurable employment to entitle him to payment in excess of 52 weeks. According to the records of the Department he had only 127 contributions paid since his entry into insurance on 24 June 1968. He cannot requalify for payment of benefit until he resumes employment and has at least thirteen weeks of insurable employment for which contributions at the appropriate rate have been paid.

262.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim was refused unemployment benefit, despite having apparently fulfilled all the conditions in relation to eligibility.

Availability for work is a condition of entitlement to unemployment benefit and to fulfil this condition, an applicant must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work.

The person concerned is a postal applicant for unemployment benefit. She was written to by her local office on numerous occasions and asked to reply to inquiries about her availability for employment. She recently furnished evidence which satisfied a deciding officer that she fulfils the conditions of being available for work. Her claim was allowed at £32.75 weekly and all arrears due were paid on 7 December 1984.

Further weekly payment will be made as they become due.

263.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to a living alone allowance from 21 September 1984.

The appropriate pension book payable from 5 October 1984 and a payable order for £6.40 covering the arrears due for the period 21 September 1984 to 4 October 1984 were issued on 14 November 1984.

264.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, whose disability benefit was discontinued from 14 June 1984, on the basis that he was now capable of work.

Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 14 June 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and was examined on 24 August 1984 by a different medical referee who also considered him to be capable of work. His case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing. He will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.

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