asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
436.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £7.25 per week being the appropriate rate £59.40 less means of £52.15 per week previously assessed against him. He applied for a review of his means and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation. The officer made a number of void calls to his home address before being able to interview him and inquiries are still being made in the matter. 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.
437.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim which was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from land and capital exceeded the statutory limit. In the light of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination of his means and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. The appeal application will be dealt with at the earliest opportunity.
438.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when back money will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork from the date of his appeal on the 23 May 1983 to 11 May 1984.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £38.50 weekly derived from the benefit of old age pension paid to his wife. He appealed against this decision, and following further inquiries a deciding officer in a revised decision, reduced the amount of means assessed against him to £19.30 weekly, effective form 11 April 1984. He was advised of his right of appeal against this decision, but he did not do so. All adjusting arrears due to him following the reduction in the amount of means assessed against him, were paid to him on 8 August 1984. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £35.50 weekly the appropriate rate £54.80 less means £19.30.
439.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant an increase in unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £16.90 weekly being the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £14.85. His means are derived from the profit from his holding. He did not appeal against the amount of means assessed against him. The time allowed for such an appeal has since expired but if his circumstances have changed it is open to him to request a review of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
440.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed injury benefit from 5 March 1984 in respect of a prescribed disease which he attributed to the nature of his employment.
Pending the completion of investigations arising from the claim he was allowed disability benefit on an interim basis from 8 March and pay-related benefit from 26 March. Benefit has been paid to the date of the latest medical certificate received.
On completion of investigations, injury benefit was allowed from 5 March 1984. Injury benefit over and above the disability benefit already paid to 1 September 1984, the limit of the injury benefit period of 26 weeks, was issued.
He has also claimed disablement benefit in respect of the disease. Arrangements have been made for his medical examination on 21 February to assess the extent of his disablement and a decision on the claim will then be made as soon as possible.
441.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and he has requested an oral hearing of his case. Arrangements are being made to have his case heard by an appeals officer at the earliest opportunity. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
442.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if free telephone rental allowance will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
An application form for a free telephone rental allowance was issued to the person concerned in August 1984, but there is no record of it having been returned to the Department. A second application form was, therefore, issued to him on 11 February 1985. On receipt of the completed application in the Department an early decision will be given in the case and he will be notified of the outcome.
443.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork for the period 12 May 1984 to 26 June 1984 as he forwarded medical certificates for this period.
The person concerned is a postal recipient of unemployment assistance who has been in receipt of unemployment assistance at £46.30 weekly being the appropriate rate £55.55 less £9.25 means since 12 December 1984. He advised his local office that he had signed as unemployed at a signing centre located in a Garda station and that he had posted certificates of unemployment to his local office. However, there is no record of receipt of certificates of unemployment at his local office during the period from 12 May 1984 to 26 June 1984. Inquiries are being made to establish whether he fulfilled the conditions for receipt of unemployment assistance during the period and when these are completed the matter of retrospective payment of unemployment assistance will be considered.
444.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he applied in January 1984 and has as yet received no payment.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means of £32.91 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding and from capital, exceeded the rate payable to him. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £32.91 weekly and disallowed his unemployment assistance claim. He was informed of this decision on 7 November 1984.
445.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of an increase in a non-contributory widow's pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in respect of the period 1 June 1984 to 20 December 1984.
A payable order for the arrears for the period in question of an increase in her widow's pension in respect of a dependent child was sent to the person concerned on 30 January 1985.
446.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in respect of whom at least 26 contributions were paid during 1983-1984.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit cannot be determined until inquiries to establish whether his employment was insurable at a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment. He was recently visited by a social welfare officer and his case has been referred to a deciding officer for determination. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be decided in the light of the outcome.
447.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit at the pay-related rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the weekly sum of pay-related benefit, flat rate unemployment benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of the net average weekly earnings of a claimant.
The person concerned is a postal claimant and is in receipt of £61.40 weekly flat rate unemployment benefit being the appropriate rate applicable to a married man. He was requested on 10 January 1985 and again on 11 February 1985 to furnish tax form P.45 or a statement showing his earnings from 6 April 1984 to 9 January 1985 to enable the 85 per cent limit applicable in his case to be calculated. His entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment benefit will be determined as soon as the required information is made available.
448.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not being paid unemployment assistance at the maximum rate in view of the fact that he believes that any previous overpayment has now been repaid.
Recovery of an overpayment of unemployment assistance amounting to £600 in respect of the person concerned has been effected by deductions of weekly instalments of £3 since 7 June 1983 and £7 from 6 September 1983. The total amount recovered to date is £598. The final instalment of £2 will be deducted this week. Further payments of £30.75 being the appropriate rate £31.75 less £1 means will be made to him as weekly payments become due.
449.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry against the decision to discontinue payment of his unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter having regard to the applicant's poor financial position.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £35.55 weekly with effect from 14 November 1984 derived from the profit from his holding. His unemployment assistance claim was accordingly disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance appropriate in his case.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer also assessed him with means at £35.55 and disallowed his unemployment assistance claim. He was notified accordingly on 8 February 1985.
450.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is married with five children and is signing since 1 November 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 27 November 1984 and following investigation of his claim he was assessed with means of £5.85 weekly, derived from selfemployment as a handyman. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £82.85 weekly the appropriate rate £88.70 less means £5.85. All arrears due to him were paid on 5 February 1985 and weekly payments of £82.85 continue to be made as they become due.
451.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is signing since 1 November 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 27 November 1984 and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. These inquiries have now been completed and the case is in transit to a deciding officer in headquarters for an assessment of his means on the basis of the report of the social welfare officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome.
452.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary whose employment ceased on 30 November 1984, is not receiving pay-related benefit; when this will be paid; and the amount which will be paid.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the weekly sum of pay-related benefit, flat rate unemployment benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of the net average weekly earnings of a claimant.
The person concerned is in receipt of flat rate unemployment benefit at the appropriate weekly rate of £88.35, from 30 November 1984. Inquiries had to be made in order to establish the 85 per cent limit applicable in this case. These inquiries were recently completed and payment of pay-related benefit at a weekly rate of £44.25 has been allowed from 20 December 1984. Arrangements have been made to pay this week all arrears of pay-related benefit due. Further combined weekly payments of £132.60 will continue to be made as they fall due.
453.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the grave inconvenience being caused to the staff and public at the Limerick Employment Exchange where outdated conditions are in breach of the Office Premises Act, 1958; that grave inconvenience and hardship were caused to thousands of social welfare recipients who received no money on 6 February due to a one day official strike by the staff in support of their claim for better conditions; if he is also aware that a full official work stoppage is contemplated for 18 February 1985, if a suitable temporary women's employment exchange is not available by that time; the arrangements, if any, which have been made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is accepted that working conditions at the Employment Exchange, Limerick, are inadequate having regard to the number of staff serving there and the number of claimants attending each week. In the long term arrangements are being made by the Office of Public Works for the building of an entirely new purpose built employment exchange which will meet all the Department's needs in Limerick. In the meantime the Office of Public Works has been requested to provide, as a temporary arrangement, alternative premises for use as an employment exchange for women, thus relieving the overcrowding problem in the existing employment exchange. The Office of Public Works have inspected a large number of premises but had found considerable difficulty in finding something suitable. The difficulty in this respect arises because of the nature of the accommodation required to provide for the needs of a public office where large numbers of people attend daily. A suitable premises has been identified and the Office of Public Works is making every effort to secure them as a matter of urgency.
In relation to the one day stoppage that took place on Wednesday, 6 February, persons who did not receive their payments on that date were paid either on the following day, Thursday, 7 February, or on the next day, Friday, 8 February. Notice of further industrial action has been received and as already indicated everything possible is being done to remove the cause of the problem.
454.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for a widow's pension by a person (details supplied) in London.
The claim of the person concerned to a widow's contributory pension has been under investigation for some time. The claimant stated that her husband was employed in Ireland up to the beginning of 1942 but despite exhaustive inquiries it has not proved possible, to date, to trace an insurance number for him. Inquiries are continuing however and a decision will be given on her claim at the earliest possible date. Meanwhile it is understood that she is in receipt of a United Kingdom pension at the maximum rate.
455.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present situation with regard to the issue of an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The old age pension application of the person concerned has been partially investigated and it is expected that the social welfare officer's report on his investigation will be completed shortly. When this report is received, the claim will be referred to a deciding officer and the claimant will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
456.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned did not satisfy the contribution conditions for unemployment benefit during the period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 which governed her entitlement to unemployment benefit at the commencement of her claim on 5 November 1984.
A new benefit year commenced on 7 January 1985 and her entitlement to benefit was governed from that date by her contribution record during period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984. She did not however satisfy the condition of having at least 26 paid or credited contributions during the relevant period and her claim was again disallowed. She continues to sign for credited contributions only.
457.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for payment of all back-money due to a person (details supplied) in County Galway since February 1983.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 21 February 1983 and was assessed with means of £43 weekly, derived from the value of capital. He was paid unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £0.95 the appropriate rate £43.95 less means £43, until he ceased to sign at his local office on 3 May 1983. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £43 weekly.
He made a repeat claim to unemployment assistance on 15 June 1984. For the period 15 June 1984 to 3 July 1984 he was paid unemployment assistance at £5.35 weekly the appropriate rate £48.35 less means £43. Following a general increase in unemployment assistance rates on 4 July 1984 he was paid at £8.70 weekly the appropriate rate £51.70 less means £43.
His claim was reviewed in October 1984 and he was assessed with means of £43.15 effective from 17 October 1984. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £8.55 weekly being the appropriate rate £51.70 less £43.15. Accordingly he has received all unemployment assistance to which he is entitled and there are no arrears of unemployment assistance due to him.
458.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if deserted wife's allowance payments will be reconsidered for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the special circumstances in relation to the annulment of her marriage.
Two of the conditions for the receipt of a deserted wife's payment are that a husband must have left his wife of his own volition and that she must make reasonable efforts within the means available to her to prevail on him to contribute to her support and maintenance.
A claim for a deserted wife's payment received from the person concerned in August 1976 was disallowed because it was held that these conditions were not satisfied in her case. A reapplication from her was disallowed on July 1984 for the same reasons.
It is noted that the claimant has obtained a Church annulment of her marriage but this would not necessarily affect her position under the legislation governing the scheme of deserted wife's payment. She was notified on both occasions when her claim was disallowed of her right to appeal but there is no trace in the Department of any appeal ever having been received from her.
459.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if further to her recent appeal, payments of disability benefit will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of her continued treatment in hospital and her obvious incapacity for work.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 18 October 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
She appealed against the disallowance and was examined on 13 December 1984 by a different medical referee who also considered her to be capable of work.
Her case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing as soon as possible. She will be notified of the time and place of the hearing as soon as the arrangements have been made.
460.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the full entitlement of children's allowance payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
An allowance book at the rate of £12.05 per month payable from October 1984 has been issued to the claimant in respect of the child in question. A payable order for £35.35 in respect of arrears due for the period July 1984 to September 1984 is in the course of issue and will reach the claimant shortly.
461.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free telephone rental allowance was disallowed to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4.
In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance a person in receipt of a qualifying payment must be living entirely alone or only with children under 15 years of age or other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in an emergency.
The person concerned is residing with her daughter who, from the medical evidence furnished, is not permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. The application was therefore disallowed and the applicant was notified to this effect on 3 January 1985.
In the light of the information supplied by the Deputy however, the person concerned has been requested to furnish a more comprehensive medical certificate in respect of her daughter. Her application will be reviewed on receipt of the relevant certificate and the applicant will be notified of the outcome.
462.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was recently approved for unemployment assistance at the rate of £29.95 per week is not getting the full amount; and when he will be paid arrears which are due to him.
The person concerned was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim. His unemployment assistance claim was allowed with effect from 16 November 1984 at the weekly rate of £29.95 but the amount of supplementary welfare allowance received by him had to be refunded to his local health board from the arrears of unemployment assistance due to him.
Weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £29.95 commenced to be paid to him on 8 January 1985 and these are continuing to be made as they become due.
463.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare still has not received his travel pass after three years.
A free travel pass was issued in 1977 to the person concerned who was then an invalidity pensioner. A second pass was issued automatically to him in April 1980 when he was awarded an old age pension. When this duplication came to light, he was asked to return one of the passes.
In the light of the information furnished by the Deputy, the person concerned has been written to concerning the whereabouts of the second pass. When his reply is received, a replacement pass will, if necessary, be issued without delay.
464.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement on the present position with regard to the application for a family income supplement made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and when a decision will be made on the case.
The claim form as originally submitted by the person concerned did not show all the required information and was returned to him for completion. A family income supplement at the weekly rate of £15 from 6 September 1984 has now been awarded. The order book will issue within the next few days and the claimant will be notified accordingly.
465.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to the application for an old age pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he has taken into consideration the fact that this person has signed over her holding to her son and has no income whatsoever from this holding.
It has been decided that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the ground that her means exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension. The assessment of her means comprises of the weekly value of capital and the weekly value of beneficial occupation of a holding, the transfer of half of which has not been accepted for old age pension purposes.
An appeal against this decision has been lodged and the matter has been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The claimant will be notified of the outcome in due course.
466.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in dealing with the application for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and when a decision will be made in this case.
Following exhaustion of his entitlement to unemployment benefit the person concerned claimed unemployment assistance. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. However, he failed to co-operate in the investigation of his claim.
He has been advised that to enable his entitlement to unemployment assistance to be determined he must co-operate with the social welfare officer and he must reveal full details of his means. His case has been referred again to the social welfare officer to pursue inquiries and when they are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
467.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an unmarried mother's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has submitted all the necessary documentation to his Department regarding her domestic situation.
As indicated in a written reply on 22 January 1985 to a previous question from the Deputy about this case, inquiries are ongoing to see if the person concerned satisfies the conditions for receipt of unmarried mother's allowance.
An answer has been received from her to the letter referred to in the previous reply but some further investigation is still necessary before a decision can be given on her claim. This however should not take more than a week or two.
468.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received disability benefit since 4 January 1985.
The person concerned submitted an intermediate certificate on 14 January 1985 in respect of an incapacity for work from 11 January. He indicated on his next certificate that his incapacity has resulted from an occupational accident.
Pending the completion of investigations arising from the accident he was allowed disability benefit on an interim basis from 15 January, the fourth day of certified incapacity and pay-related benefit from 1 February.
Investigations revealed that he had suffered an occupational accident on 4 January from when he had been absent from work. The claim was allowed from the date of the accident. Injury benefit over and above the disability benefit paid in respect of the period to 8 February, and an appropriate adjustment of pay-related benefit from 26 January have now been paid.
469.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate a payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
470.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.
The persons concerned are brothers and postal applicants who applied in writing for unemployment benefit on 13 June 1984 and application forms were issued to them for completion on 18 June 1984. They have not been in touch with their local office since thenand their forms have not been returned. Fresh application forms have now been issued to them for completion. Their claims for unemployment benefit will be considered on the return of these forms.