asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons injury benefit payments, etc. have not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway, despite the fact that medical certificates have been posted weekly; if he will now direct his Department to make immediate payments, both weekly and arrears; the amounts of both; the date on which they will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
276.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 20 August 1984 in respect of an incapacity resulting from an alleged accident at work on 19 January 1984.
Pending examination of the claim he was allowed disability benefit on an interim basis from 24 August 1984 the fourth day of certified incapacity.
There was a delay in payment in respect of the period 27 August to 4 October due to difficulties in clarifying the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Western Health Board which was recoverable from the benefit due. Disability benefit amounting to £546.25 in respect of the period from 27 August to 4 October was withheld and refunded to the health board.
Disability benefit has been paid regularly on receipt of medical certificates in respect of the period since 5 October. A deduction of £4.91 a week is being made from his benefit of £104.75 leaving a balance in payment of £99.84 a week. A balance of supplementary welfare allowance advanced is being recovered by means of the deductions.
Injury benefit is statutorily confined to a maximum period of 26 weeks from the date of the accident.
The claim to injury benefit was therefore rejected on the grounds that the period of certified incapacity (from 20 August) was outside the injury benefit period, which ended on 18 July.
If he considers that he suffered any disablement resulting from the accident it is open to him to claim disablement benefit.