asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason it has not been possible to transfer a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 from disability to invalidity pension, especially in view of the evidence and submissions made by his doctor.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
500.
The person concerned is being paid disability benefit at regular weekly intervals and payment has been made to date. A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to him and on its return, duly completed, the claim will be deal with without delay.
501.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in making an appeals decision on the application for a non-contributory old age pension by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if arrangements can now be made to have the decision given as a matter of urgency in view of the need of the applicant.
The person concerned lodged an appeal on 26 October 1984 against a decision disallowing her claim to old age pension. An appeals officer requested further information on this case before giving his decision. When the social welfare officer called on her to make further inquiries she informed him that she did not wish to pursue the appeal any further and she accordingly withdrew her appeal and confirmed this in writing. She stated that she may reapply for pension at some later date.
502.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded unemployment assistance payments in view of the fact that they have no income at the present time and have furnished his Department with all the necessary data relating to their circumstances.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against this decision and an appeals officer on 5 April 1984 also assessed him with means exceeding the statutory limit. He made a repeat claim to unemployment assistance on 30 November 1984 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. These inquiries are proving to be extensive but when they are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
503.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance payments for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be increased in view of their current level of income.
The person concerned is being paid unemployment assistance on the basis of a qualification certificate showing his means as being assessed at £23.95 weekly. His case has been referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of his means and his rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed when these inquiries are completed.
504.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will have his unemployment assistance payments reconsidered in view of the recent cut he received in his payments further to his previous appeal.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at £20.40 weekly, the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £11.35. His means were derived from the value of board and lodgings in his fathers home. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and following review of his case a deciding officer in a revised decision assessed him with (1) nil means from 27 September 1984 and (2) £16.20 means from 4 November 1984. He was informed that this was a revised deciding officer's decision and as such that he had the right to appeal against it.
It is still open to him to appeal if he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £15.55 weekly the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £16.20 weekly.
505.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when family income supplement payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford and the rate of payment which will be issued to them.
The person concerned has been awarded a family income supplement at the weekly rate of £7 from 6 September 1984. An order book was issued to the designated post office and the claimant notified accordingly on 18 February 1985.
506.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the employment and contribution records of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be forwarded to him as he has requested these some time ago from the central records office at his Department.
The letter received from the person concerned quoted his personal details and asked for his old social insurance number. This was traced and was forwarded to him on 1 February last.
A statement of the insurance contributions paid and credited on his behalf since he first entered insurance in January 1938 has now been forwarded to him. Details concerning his employment are not available in the Department's records.
507.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a non-contributory old age pensioner (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded an increase in her payments.
There is no trace of an application from the person concerned for an increase in her widow's non-contributory pension. In view of the Deputy's question however the local social welfare officer has been asked for a report on her present circumstances. When the officer's report is received her case will be reviewed and she will be notified of the outcome.
508.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be reconsidered for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has no other income.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against this disallowance and he is being afforded another opportunity of disclosing full details of his means and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer to pursue inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him. In the meantime he is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his appeal.
509.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a living alone allowance payment is not being made to an old age pensioner (details supplied) in County Wexford; when payment will be made; and arrears issued.
The person concerned has been in receipt of retirement pension at the maximum personal rate since 21 July 1983. There is no record of receipt of a living alone allowance claim from her. The local social welfare officer has, however, been asked to investigate her entitlement to the allowance and a decision will be made when the officer's report is received.
510.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons pay-related benefits have not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has been on sick leave since mid-December 1984; if he will outline the specific entitlements of this person and, if necessary, make immediate adjusted payments to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 December 1984. He was paid from 20 December 1984, fourth day of incapacity, at £80.15 per week, the maximum rate payable to a married man with two dependent children. He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as the amount of disability benefit payable exceeds 75 per cent of his average reckonable weekly earnings in the 1982-83 tax year which governs his entitlement to pay-related benefit.
511.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the circumstances under which the social welfare allowances payable to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 have been reduced from £32.80 to £15.70; although this person is expected to make some contribution towards his up-keep and his father is a pensioner and his mother is obliged to work so that she can help in the rearing of two children.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at £32.80, the appropriate rate payable to him, as he had been assessed with nil means, based on the income of the household at the time his claim was investigated. His claim was reviewed recently and he was assessed with means of £17.10 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his father's home. Accordingly he is now in receipt of unemployment assistance at £15.70 weekly the appropriate rate £32.80 less means £17.10. He has appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements have been made to have his means determined by an appeals officer. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
512.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons the full rate of unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the total amount of means being assessed against this person; the reasons for this amount; if he will direct his Department to restore this assistance to the former figure; and if he will make a statement on this situation.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £76.90 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £28.70 weekly the appropriate rate £105.60 less means £76.90. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination of his means. The appeals officer requested further information and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his case will again be submitted to an appeals officer and his rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
513.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied eight weeks ago.
The person concerned claimed a contributory old age pension on 12 January 1985. One of the qualifying conditions for receipt of a contributory old age pension under the Social Welfare Acts requires a claimant to have a yearly average of at least 20 reckonable contributions over the period from the beginning of the 1953 contribution year or from the beginning of the year in which he entered into insurance, whichever is the later, to the end of the last complete contribution year before he reached pension age. The Department's records show that he had a total of 111 contributions in the required period which, in his case, is from 5 January 1953 to 5 April 1984. This is equal to yearly average of only three and, therefore, he does not qualify for a contributory old age pension.
The local social welfare officer has been asked to investigate his entitlement to a non-contributory pension and a decision will be made when the investigation is completed.
514.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly as he applied two months ago.
An old age pension claim from the person concerned has been referred to the social welfare officer for investigation. Unfortunately the social welfare officer has been unable to contact the claimant despite visits to his home on three different occasions. Details have been requested from the claimant's solicitors regarding the transfer of a holding and when this becomes available and the officer has been able to contact the claimant the matter will be reported on and referred for decision. When a decision has been made the person concerned will be notified of the outcome and if pension is awarded the appropriate pension book will be issued without delay.
515.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Laois is only getting £70.55 per week unemployment assistance in view of the fact that he is married with two children and feels he should be getting a higher rate.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £1.70 weekly derived from the value of capital. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £70.55 weekly the appropriate rate of £72.25 less means £1.70. His case was reviewed on 29 January 1985 and he was again assessed with means of £1.70 weekly derived from the value of capital. Payments of £70.55 weekly continue to be made as they become due.
516.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Laois as she applied last October.
To be entitled to unemployment assistance an applicant must be a holder of a qualification certificate and to obtain a qualification certificate an applicant must fulfil certain conditions which include an assessment of her means.
The person cencerned claimed unemployment assistance on 13 November 1984 and her case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of her means. She was not prepared to co-operate in the investigation of her case and the social welfare officer was unable to proceed with the inquiries.
She has been advised that to enable her entitlement to unemployment assistance to be determined she must co-operate with the social welfare officer and she must reveal full details of her means. Her case has been referred again to the social welfare officer to pursue inquiries and when they are completed her means will be assessed and her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
517.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit which has been due for eight weeks will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 December 1984. He submitted a claim form to the Department indicating that he was a married man and payment was authorised and issued accordingly. He did not indicate that he wished to claim an increase in respect of children. His rate of payment has now been increased as it has been confirmed that he is a married man with three dependent children.
Payment was inadvertently disallowed from 5 January 1985, because of an administrative error. The error, which is regretted, has now been rectified and all arrears of benefit payable to 6 February 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Midland Health Board, were issued to the person concerned on 13 February 1985.
518.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 4 February 1985 and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
519.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 10 August 1984 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance and she was examined on 21 September 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.
520.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Galway against the decision assessing her weekly means at £34.60; and if he will make an immediate decision on this appeal because of the difficult financial circumstances of this lady since her unemployment assistance was cancelled.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £34.60 derived from the value of board and lodging in her father's holding. She appealed against this decision and an appeals officer on 11 October 1984 also assessed her with means of £34.60. She was informed accordingly. She recently requested that her means be reviewed, and following investigation of her means by a social welfare officer on 30 January 1985, she was assessed with means of £36 weekly. Accordingly her claim to unemployment assistance was disallowed and she has been informed of this decision.
521.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not in receipt of the maximum rate of contributory old age pension.
The person concerned is in receipt of a contributory old age pension since 7 September 1984. He is being paid the pension at the weekly rate appropriate to his yearly average number of contributions during the required period which, in his case, is from 5 January 1953 to 5 April 1984. He has a total of 716 contributions during this 31 year period which is equal to a yearly average of 23. An average of at least 48 is required to qualify for the pension at the maximum rate. There are no contributions recorded in respect of the person concerned for the years 1954 to 1970. He stated that he was self-employed during this period.
522.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have the full rate of unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
To be entitled to unemployment assistance the applicant must be the holder of a Qualification Certificate and to obtain a Qualification Certificate an applicant must fulfil certain conditions which include an assessment of his means. The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. He was not prepared to co-operate in the investigation and the social welfare officer was unable to proceed with the inquiries.
He was advised that to enable his entitlement to unemployment assistance to be determined he must co-operate with the social welfare officer and disclose full details of his means. His case was again referred to a social welfare officer to pursue inquiries. The social welfare officer made a number of void calls before he succeeded in interviewing him. It is expected that the inquires will be completed shortly and his case will be referred to a deciding officer for assessment of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
523.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is married with one child.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 2 December 1983 and was in receipt of the appropriate full rate of unemployment benefit to 5 June 1984 when he exhausted 156 days of benefit. He did not fulfil the contribution condition for continuous payment of unemployment benefit at the maximum rate and accordingly his weekly rate of unemployment benefit was reduced from £65.60 to £56.95 weekly from 6 June 1984. This amount was increased to £60.90 weekly from 4 July 1984 in line with budget increases.
In addition he is in receipt of £1.12 weekly pay-related benefit based on his earnings in the income tax year 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982. Further combined weekly payments of £62.02 continue to be made to him as they become due.
524.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is on unemployment assistance and is dissatisfied with the rate being paid to him as he has six children and is a very small farmer.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £71.80 weekly being the appropriate rate payable to him £99.80 less means £28. His means are derived from the profit from his holding. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer on 6 December 1984 also assessed him with means at £28 weekly, and he was notified accordingly. If he considers that his circumstances have changed since the date on which the appeals officer assessed his means it is open to him to apply for a reinvestigation of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
525.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date on which unemployment benefits will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the weekly amount and the total arrears to be paid; and if he will make a statement on this application.
The person concerned is a landholder who claimed unemployment benefit from 2 January 1985. Inquiries had to be made to establish that he fulfilled the condition of being available for work before his entitlement to unemployment benefit could be determined. These inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at the weekly rate of £111.30 flat rate unemployment benefit being the appropriate rate applicable to a married man with six dependent children.
He is a postal applicant and a paying order for £612.15 was issued to him last week for encashment at his local post office paying all unemployment benefit arrears due from 2 January 1985 to 12 February 1985. Further weekly payments of £111.30 will be made to him as they become due.
526.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is a small farmer with approximately 15 acres and five milking cows, as he has completed 12 claim forms.
The person concerned who is a postal applicant submitting weekly certificates of unemployment claimed unemployment assistance on 19 November 1984. His claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.
It is expected that these inquiries, which are extensive, will be completed shortly, and his claim will be referred to a deciding officer for assessment of his means.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
527.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will confirm that arrears of old age pension payments due to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 have now been paid.
The person concerned reached age 66 years on 24 September 1984 and claimed an old age contributory pension on 12 October 1984. She was awarded the pension at the maximum rate with effect from 28 September 1984, i.e. the Friday following her 66th birthday. An old age contributory pension book containing orders payable from 28 December was issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. She was in receipt of invalidity pension up to the previous week.
All arrears of old age contributory pension payable to her from 28 September 1984, less the amount of invalidity pension paid to her in respect of the period from that date, were issued to her by payable order on 6 February 1985.
528.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to be available for work he must be available for, capable of and genuinely seeking employment.
He was in receipt of disability benefit when he was examined by a medical referee and found to be capable of work and his disability benefit claim was disallowed. During the period 18 April to 11 September 1984 he claimed unemployment benefit. His unemployment benefit was however disallowed on the grounds that he did not satisfy the condition of being available for work. He appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment benefit claim but an appeals officer also decided that he was not available for work and disallowed his unemployment benefit claim. He ceased to sign as unemployed after 11 September 1984.
529.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when PRSI payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
According to the records of the Department the person claimed unemployment benefit on 5 November 1984 and was paid flat rate unemployment benefit of £88.35 weekly from that date, being the appropriate rate payable in his case.
He was also paid pay-related benefit of £34.19 weekly from 26 November 1984 to 4 February 1985 after which date he ceased to sign as unemployed.
530.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a funeral grant in respect of his late brother has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The claim in this case was originally disallowed on the grounds that it had now been made within the prescribed time. However, in the light of all the circumstances, it has been decided to authorise payment and a cheque is being prepared for issue to the person concerned.
531.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any decision has yet been made on the written appeal submitted by persons, (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for a non-contributory old age pension.
It has been decided that the persons concerned are not entitled to old age pension as their means, each consisting of half the weekly value of the husband's earnings from employment exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
An appeal against the decision was received on 28 January 1985 and their cases have been referred to an appeals officer for his determination. When a decision has been made the persons concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
532.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 24 February 1983 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.
533.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the request of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 for a clothes allowance.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the supplementary welfare allowances scheme in the Dublin area, that the person concerned has appealed against a decision refusing an application for assistance for clothing and his appeal is under consideration.
Entitlement to an allowance under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme is, under the legislation, a matter to be determined by the health board having regard to all the circumstances of the case. The person concerned will shortly be informed of the decision on his appeal.
534.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
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 claimed unemployment benefit on 7 January 1985 and following the completion of inquiries her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not genuinely seeking work and accordingly she did not fulfil the condition of being available for work.
She has been advised of the decision in her case and of her right to have her case referred to an appeals officer for determination.
535.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has been signing at Trim employment exchange for over 30 weeks.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions, paid or credited, in the governing contribution year.
The person concerned did not satisfy the contribution condition during the contribution period 6 April 1982 to 5 April 1983 which governed her entitlement to unemployment benefit from 31 May 1984 and her claim was disallowed. Her case was referred to a social welfare officer to investigate non-payment of contributions in respect of her employment during the period in question.
These investigations have recently been completed, following which her claim was allowed at the appropriate rate in her case. She is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue an order for encashment at her local post office paying all arrears due this week. Further weekly payment will be made as they become due.
536.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay full unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £34.65 weekly derived from self-employment as a musician and the value of capital. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £81.30 weekly being the appropriate rate £115.95 less £34.65 means.
His case was recently referred to a social welfare officer for a reinvestigation of his means. When the inquiries are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
537.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay a living alone allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The living alone allowance is an increase paid to persons who are living alone, aged 66 and in receipt of a weekly payment from this Department. The person concerned does not appear to be in receipt of a payment from this Department and in the circumstances a living alone allowance is not payable in his case.
538.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not in receipt of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to unemployment benefit on 10 December 1984. Some considerable time before he exhausted his unemployment benefit he was advised to apply for a qualification certificate to enable him to claim unemployment assistance following the exhaustion of his entitlement to unemployment benefit but he declined to do so and stated that he intended to leave this country.
He continued to furnish evidence of unemployment after he exhausted his entitlement to unemployment benefit and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. It is expected that the inquiries will be completed shortly after which his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
539.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not being paid the maximum rate of unemployment assistance as he is living with his mother and father who are both old age pensioners; and if he will have this case reviewed.
The rate of unemployment benefit payable to an applicant is reduced after 156 days of benefit if he does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 280 paid contributions in a seven year period.
The person concerned, who is an applicant for unemployment benefit, did not satisfy the contribution condition of 280 paid contributions in the seven year period and accordingly the rate of unemployment benefit payable to him was reduced to £30.90 weekly.
540.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as he has lodged approximately 12 claim forms to date.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that an applicant is available for work and to fulfil this condition he must be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from the 14 December 1984 but following the completion of inquiries his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He was notified accordingly on the 18 January 1985 and advised of his right of appeal but to date he has not done so.
541.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary is only getting £39.20 per week pension and when full pension will be granted to him together with full pension facilities.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of an old age pension at the weekly rate of £39.30. This is the rate of pension to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means consisting of the weekly value of capital.
If the pensioner feels that his circumstances have deteriorated since his last assessment, it is open to him to notify this Department to that effect and his case will be reinvestigated.
A free travel pass and butter vouchers were issued automatically at the time this pension was put into payment. The pensioner has not claimed the free electricity allowance or free telephone rental allowance but would not, in any event, satisfy the living alone conditions for these allowances while his son and daughter reside with him.
542.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not yet been paid disability benefit; when this will be paid; and the amount he will receive as he has full credit contributions for pervious years.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 8 January 1985. It did not appear that he was entitled to benefit at the commencement of his claim, as according to the records of the Department he had less than the minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1983-84, the contribution year governing his claim.
Following inquiries it was established that he has sufficient contributions paid and credited in 1983-84 to qualify for benefit at the reduced rate of £77.40 per week. Arrears of benefit amounting to £361.20 for the period 11 January 1985 to 12 February 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received, were issued to the person concerned on 18 February 1985.
543.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason invalidity pension has not yet been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary as he is permanently incapacitated and will never work again; when this pension will be granted; and the amount which will be awarded.
The person concerned has been claiming disability benefit since 26 March 1984. Disability benefit is being paid to him at the rate of £61.40 which is the maximum rate appropriate to a married man who has no qualified children. The corresponding rate of invalidity pension is £70.15.
The regulations governing entitlement to invalidity pension provide that the claimant, apart from satisfying the contribution conditions, must be regarded as permanently incapable of work, in order to qualify for the pension. A claimant is regarded as permanently incapable of work if he has been incapable of work for a continuous period of not less than one year and then is certified as permanently incapable of work. The earliest date on which the person concerned could be transferred to invalidity pension therefore is 28 March 1985, that is the Thursday following the date of completion of one year of incapacity for work. A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to the person concerned for completion and return to the Department.
544.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when this benefit will be paid; and the amount which will be awarded.
The RSI number and insurance number quoted in the details supplied with the question do not relate to the person referred to and it has not been possible to trace a benefit claim for the person concerned. If further details are supplied, every effort will be made to trace the claim in question.
545.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the payment of injury benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
All disability benefit payable to the person concerned to 7 February 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued.
546.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date and details of an appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against the decision not to grant him an old age pension; and if he will now initiate a further investigation of the applicant's means with a view to granting him pension.
It was decided by an appeals officer on 13 December 1983 that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age penson on the ground that he does not fulfil the statutory conditions as to means. The assessment of his means, consisting of the weekly value of capital and his share in the farm exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
More recently the claimant withdrew a claim to old age pension on 16 November 1984 stating he did not wish to pursue his claim. However the Deputy's representations have been accepted as a repeat claim to old age pension on his behalf. The case is being referred to the social welfare officer for investigation and when the inquiries are completed a decision will be made and the pensioner will be notified of the outcome in due course.
547.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is in order for an official of his Department to divulge to an employer or his agent the details of an employee's claim to disability benefit without the consent of the employee; and if such a practice is a breach of confidentiality and an intrusion into personal privacy.
One of the conditions for receipt of disability benefit is that the claimant must be incapable of work. In conformity with its general responsibility for operating adequate control arrangements over disability benefit claims, the Department may contact an employer to check on the absence of a claimant through illness. These checks are to establish whether or not the claimant was absent from work for the period in respect of which benefit was claimed and medical details of the claims are not disclosed to the employer. The practice is a necessary control requirement and is not a breach of confidentiality.
548.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit can be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
An applicant for unemployment benefit who is a landholder but who does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 78 contributions paid in a three year period is not entitled to unemployment benefit if the income from his holding exceeds £2 daily.
The person concerned is a landholder who does not satisfy the 78 contribution condition. His case was referred to a social welfare officer to investigate the income from his holding. Following the completion of inquiries he was assessed with an income from his holding in excess of £2 daily and his unemployment benefit claim was disallowed. He was notified of the decision in his case and his right to appeal and to have his case determined by an appeals officer.
549.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance can be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Following the appeal of the person concerned an appeals officer reduced the amount of means assessed against him from £58.95 weekly to £44.45 weekly with effect from 27 June 1984. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £10.35 weekly being the appropriate rate £54.80 less £44.45 means. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears to him this week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
550.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is entitled to family income supplement payments; and, if so, when these will be issued.
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 £11.50 from 13 December 1984 has now been awarded. The order book was issued to the designated post office on 18 February 1985 and the claimant was notified accordingly.
551.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the application for a contributory old age pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned will reach old age pension age of 66 on 9 April 1985. He claimed a contributory old age pension on 16 January 1985 and will be entitled to this pension at maximum rate with effect from 12 April 1985. An old age contributory pension book will be issued to the designated post office approximately two weeks prior to that date for collection by him and he will be notified accordingly.
552.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to the payment of social welfare benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 11 February 1985 and her claim has been allowed at the weekly rate of £32.75. Weekly payment will commence this week and further payments will be made as they become due. Her entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment benefit will be determined as soon as the inquiries, which are being made to establish her entitlement, have been completed.
553.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the non-payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; if he will make arrangements for arrears of payment to be issued without undue delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 3 July 1982 and was paid to 12 January 1985. Payment was suspended from that date on receipt of information to the effect that he had been working during the period of his claim. The matter is still under investigation. When the necessary inquiries are completed, the person's entitlement to benefit will be reviewed.
554.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive unemployment benefit; and when a decision on his appeal against the medical referee's decisions will be available.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 September 1982 but his claim was disallowed from 25 June 1984 following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance of his disability benefit claim and was examined by a different medical referee who also found him to be capable of work. The appeals officer intends to hold an oral hearing of his appeal and he will be advised of the time and place of the hearing when final arrangements have been made.
He claimed unemployment benefit from 4 December 1984 and his claim has been allowed from that date at the weekly rate of £104.75. He received supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment benefit claim and the amount was reimbursed to his local health board from arrears of unemployment benefit due to him. A further amount of the arrears was held against a sum overpaid to him when he concurrently claimed unemployment benefit and disability benefit. The balance of the overpayment outstanding is being recovered by deductions at £2 weekly from current weekly payments which commenced to be paid to him this week.
555.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when maternity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has paid ten years contributions.
Payment of maternity benefit cannot be approved in this case as the contribution conditions are not satisfied. In order to qualify for payment, the person concerned would have required 26 paid or credited contributions in the income tax year 1982-83 or 1983-84. She has only 16 credited contributions in 1982-83 and 12 credited contributions in 1983-84.
556.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare further to his reply to parliamentary Question No. 690 of 6 November 1984 if he will state the reason a decision has not yet been made in relation to the request for a subsidy from supplementary welfare towards telephone installation costs for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which administers the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in the Dublin area, that the person concerned has been asked for further information regarding her claim for assistance towards telephone installation costs and that the appeals officer will consider her case on receipt of her reply.
557.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant an increase in unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £29.95 weekly which is the maximum rate appropriate to him as a single person residing in a non urban area with nil means assessed against him. His claim commenced on 17 February 1984 and accordingly he will not be eligible for unemployment assistance at the rate applicable to a long term applicant until after he completes 390 days signing as unemployed.
558.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay unemployment assistance in respect of a school-going girl to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
An increase of unemployment assistance for a child dependant terminates when the child attains the age of 18 years whether or not the child is attending school. According to the records of the Department the person concerned has only one qualified child under 18 years of age. He is at present in receipt of weekly payments of unemployment assistance of £62.95 being the appropriate long term rate payable to a married man with one child dependant.
559.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following the recent completion of inquiries about his means the person concerned was assessed with nil means with effect from the date on which he claimed unemployment assistance on 7 January 1985. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £75.00 weekly and all arrears due were paid to him on 12 February 1985. Further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
560.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of the maximum rate of widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The circumstances of the person concerned were reviewed in December 1984 following representations on her behalf for an increase in her widow's non-contributory pension. The local social welfare officer reported that the previous means assessment of £28.84 per week, derived from a life interest in a holding, remains unchanged. Her application for an increase was therefore refused and she was notified of this decision and of her right to appeal against it if dissatisfied. No appeal was received.
Her present rate of pension is £17.30 per week. This is the rate appropriate to a widow over 66 years of age with no qualified children and whose weekly means exceed £28.00 but do not exceed £30.00. Her pension will be increased by £2.70 from 12 July 1985 in accordance with recent budget provisions.
561.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons full pension is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick having regard to the fact that her property has been transferred since 29 November 1984.
The latest assessment of the means of the person concerned, consisting of half the income from the letting of a holding and half the weekly value of capital, entitle her to a weekly pension of £25.50 which includes £3.20 living alone allowance. An overpayment of pension, which arose as a result of non-disclosure capital at an earlier assessment, is being recovered by withholding £4.00 a week from this entitlement and a pension of £21.50 a week is, accordingly, being paid to her. In the light of the information provided in relation to the transfer of the holding, the Deputy's representations have been accepted as a claim to increased old age pension on her behalf. The case is being referred to the social welfare officer for investigation. When the inquiries are completed a decision will be made and the pensioner will be notified of the outcome.
562.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have the rate of deserted wife's allowance increased in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned has been in receipt of the maximum rate of deserted wife's allowance for herself and three children since it was awarded to her in 1980. Her present rate of allowance is £74.25 per week and this will be increased to £79.10 from 11 July 1985 in accordance with the recent budget provisions. If she is in need of extra financial assistance the community welfare officer at her local health centre may be able to help her under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme.
563.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not in receipt of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance as he is married with three children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of unemployment assistance at £36.55 weekly the appropriate rate £75.00 less means of £38.45. His means are derived from self-employment. His case has recently been referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of his means. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
564.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the claim for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to unemployment benefit on 20 September 1984. He is a postal claimant. Unemployment assistance claim forms were posted to him before he exhausted his unemployment benefit, but he failed to return them. He was issued duplicate application forms on 16 October 1984 and when these were returned his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When these inquiries were completed his case was submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of his means. The deciding officer required further information and his case was again referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries.
These inquiries were recently completed and the case papers are at present in postal transit to a deciding officer for assessment of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.