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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Apr 1985

Vol. 357 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

775.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details Supplied) in County Wexford will be paid unemployment benefit further to her current claim; and, if so, when.

The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries had been made to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for employment. The inquiries were recently completed and her claim was allowed at £30.90 per week the rate applicable in her case. All arrears due were paid to her last week, and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.

776.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has been reached on the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny against the decision of his Department to refuse his claim for unemployment assistance.

The appeal of the person concerned against the disallowance of his claim to unemployment assistance was lodged at his local office on 26 March 1985 and it has been referred to an appeals officer for determination.

The appeals officer will deal with the case at the first available opportunity and the applicant's entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.

777.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 19 February 1985 but her claim was disallowed for four weeks on the grounds that she left her employment voluntarily without just cause. It is open to her to appeal against the disallowance of her claim in respect of the period of 19 February 1985 to 14 March 1985.

She satisfied the required conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit from 15 March 1985 and her claim was allowed from that date at £37.25 weekly, being the appropriate rate payable in her case. All arrears due were paid last week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due.

778.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a replacement cheque will be issued to a disability benefit applicant (details supplied) in County Wexford.

A replacement cheque for the period from 9 January 1985 to 12 January 1985 was issued to the person concerned on 10 April 1985. However, because of an oversight, a cheque for £21.84 was issued to her instead of £36.68.

A cheque for the outstanding balance of £14.84 was issued to her on 19 April 1985.

779.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

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 and the case was returned to the social welfare officer to afford the applicant a further opportunity to disclose his means. When the inquiries were completed the case was submitted to an appeals officer.

However, the appeals officer required further information before making a decision and the case has been referred again to the social welfare officer. When these inquiries are completed the case will be resubmitted to the appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.

780.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a free electricity allowance and a television licence to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

An application for a free electricity allowance, which was received from the person concerned on 6 March 1985, has been approved and the ESB has been instructed to apply the allowance to this electricity account from the April/May 1985 billing period onwards.

He also qualifies for a free television licence which may be obtained on application at the local post office.

781.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a free electricity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is in receipt of a disabled person's maintenance allowance.

An application for a free electricity allowance which was received from the person concerned on 13 March 1985, has been approved and the ESB has been instructed to apply the allowance to his electricity account from the April/May 1985 billing period onwards.

782.

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

A payable order for the arrears in question has now been sent to the person concerned.

783.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has been left waiting for his disability benefit cheque which has been late arriving on a number of occasions and which is getting progressively later; and if, as his present cheque is two weeks overdue, he will confirm that all arrears have now been paid and that all future cheques will issue on time.

The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit on an interim basis since 31 January 1985 pending investigation resulting from an alleged occupational accident on 21 January.

There were no delays in the issuing of cheques (eight) in respect of the period to 1 April. There were slight delays in issuing cheques in respect of the subsequent two weeks, resulting from arrears of work accruing from the Easter holidays and the failure of the claimant to indicate his RSI number on the medical certificate for the latter week.

Payments of benefit have therefore been issued in respect of all medical certificates received to date. Further payments will be issued on receipt of completed medical certificates.

784.

(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 20 February 1985. He is not entitled to payment as according to the records of the Department he has not the required minimum of 26 reckonable contributions in the 1983-84 year which governs his claim.

The claimant has been advised to claim supplementary welfare allowance if he is in need.

785.

(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a pension book has not been issued to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.

The widow's pension in payment to the person concerned was increased in March 1985 to include an additional child, with effect from 11 January 1985. The pension order book in payment was due to expire on 29 March 1985, so it was decided to issue a book at the increased rate from the renewal date, 5 April 1985, and to pay the increase for the period from 11 January to 4 April by payable order.

Her renewal book at the lower rate which had already been issued was accordingly recalled for adjustment. Instead, the widow returned her old book containing orders for March 22 and 29 and a book at the higher rate for those two weeks was issued to her on 1 April. The renewal book was not returned by her however until 15 April and a book at the increased rate payable from 5 April was sent to the local post office on the same day for collection by her. It has been confirmed from the post office that she has done so.

786.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of the appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Offaly for an increase in the rate of his non-contributory old age pension.

It was decided by an appeals officer on 20 October 1984 that the person concerned is entitled to an old age pension at the weekly rate of £7 from 15 May 1984 which includes an adult dependant allowance of £2.40). This rate increased to £11.05 from 6 July 1984. These are the rates to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means consisting of half the weekly value of a holding and capital.

If the pensioner feels that his circumstances have changed since the date of this last assessment he should notify this Department to that effect and his case will be reinvestigated.

787.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when six weeks of her late husband's pension to which she is entitled will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

A payable order covering six weeks old age pension due on the death of her late husband has been issued to the person concerned.

788.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare arising out of his reply to parliamentary question No. 685 on 11 December 1984, if he will indicate the result of the appeal for a rent allowance made by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9.

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 appeals officer has not yet reached a decision on the application for a rent subsidy in this case. As soon as a decision has been made the person concerned will be notified accordingly.

789.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan who has appealed against the decision to discontinue payment of disability benefit to her.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 13 February 1979 and payment was issued to 7 July 1984. Payment was disallowed from that date following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

Following a further medical referee examination, when she was again found capable of work, her case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer decided that she was incapable of work from 9 July 1984 to 12 November 1984 when she claimed maternity allowance and also from 18 February 1985 when her maternity allowance ceased. A cheque for £589.50, all disability benefit payable from 9 July 1984 to 12 November 1984, was issued on 22 April 1985. No medical certificates have been received for the period after 18 February.

790.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan who is being certified by his doctor as unfit for work.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 25 July 1983.

He is not qualified for benefit as regulations provide that where a claimant has no contributions paid or credited for any two consecutive contribution years preceding his claim, he cannot qualify for payment of disability benefit, or the award of credited contributions in respect of periods of incapacity for work, until he has a further 26 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid. According to the records of the Department, the person concerned had no contributions paid or credited since October 1979.

791.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension book at the full rate will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that all arrears of supplementary welfare allowance have now been recovered.

The overpayment referred to will have been fully recovered by 22 May 1985 and an invalidity pension book at the maximum rate payable from 23 May 1985 was issued to the person concerned on 3 April 1985 and should now be in his possession.

792.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.

It has been decided that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the grounds that his means were not fully disclosed. Details regarding the disposal of capital and the transfer of a holding were not provided to the social welfare officer. If the person concerned is now prepared to make a full disclosure of his means, he should notify the Department to that effect and his case will be reinvestigated.

793.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will restore smallholders assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.

The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his holding exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means exceeding the statutory limit.

He recently requested a review of his means and his case is being referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. When these inquiries are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome.

794.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be granted an extension of payment on behalf of her son who is attending Mitchelstown vocational school and reached the age of 16 on 6 March 1985.

There is no record in the Department of an application for extended children's allowance from the person concerned. An application form has therefore been issued to her. On receipt of the completed application form in the Department an early decision will be given in the case and the applicant will be notified of the outcome.

795.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the application for invalidity pension made by a person (details supplied) from County Louth will be granted.

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 20 July 1982 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Arrangements are being made to have him examined on 24 April 1985 by a medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.

796.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free telephone rental allowance has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that in the doctor's opinion this person, his wife and his daughter are significantly handicapped and living in a remote area.

To be eligible for a free telephone rental allowance a person, in receipt of a qualifying payment, must be living 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. All three members of the household in question are in receipt of qualifying payments. In order for one of them to qualify for this allowance, therefore, the other two must be permanently incapacitated, as required by the scheme. The Department's medical adviser is not satisfied that this is the case and accordingly the allowance cannot be granted.

797.

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 and arising from contentions raised in the appeal it was necessary to return the case to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries were recently completed and the case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. His case will be dealt with at the earliest opportunity and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.

798.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a free telephone rental allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

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 able to summon aid in an emergency.

Both the person concerned and his wife with whom he resides are in receipt of qualifying payments. Either of them could therefore qualify for the allowance if the other is permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme. From the medical evidence furnished this is not the case and accordingly the allowance cannot be granted. It is open to the pensioners to furnish additional medical evidence in support of their claim. Forms for this purpose were issued to them on 19 April 1985. Their entitlement to the allowance will be reviewed in the light of any new medical evidence received.

799.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for an increase in unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

The appeal of the person concerned was referred to an appeals officer and he also assessed his means at £11.20 a week derived from the value of board and lodgings on his brother's holding. He was notified accordingly.

Weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £20.55 being the appropriate rate £31.75 less £11.20 means continue to be made to him as they become due.

800.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a free telephone rental allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.

The person concerned was approved by the Department for a free telephone rental allowance and he was notified accordingly on 22 February 1985.

Telecom Éireann have been advised of the decision in the case and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which the applicant is provided with telephone service.

801.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an invalidity pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

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 was forwarded to him on 22 January 1985. To date the completed form has not been returned to the Department. A duplicate form has now been issued to him. On its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.

802.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an appeal for an increase in his old age pension on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

It has been decided that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension at a higher rate than £26.50 which includes a living alone allowance of £3.20. The assessment of his means consisting of the weekly value of capital and the letting value of lands entitle him to the rate at present in payment.

An appeal against the decision has been lodged and the case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeal will be decided as soon as possible and the pensioner will be notified without delay.

803.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

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 person concerned reached age 66 years on 27 January 1985. The Department's records show that he had a total of 450 contributions in the required period which, in his case, is from 4 January 1954 to 5 April 1984. This is equal to a yearly average of only 15 and, therefore, he does not qualify for a contributory old age pension. There is no record of any contributions having been paid or credited in respect of him from 1956 to 1977.

He is in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate.

804.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when maternity benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.

The authorisation of payment of maternity benefit was held up for some time while difficulties regarding her contribution record were being resolved. The claim has now been authorised for payment for the 14 week period from 19 March 1985 until 24 June 1985.

805.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an appeal for disablement benefit under the occupational injury scheme will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and, if so, when.

The claim of the person concerned for disablement benefit in respect of occupational asthma, was disallowed on the 29 March 1985 on the grounds that the person's employment was not included in the prescribed employments for occupational asthma. It is a condition of entitlement that the person must have been engaged in an employment prescribed in respect of the prescribed illness.

The person concerned has been issued with a form of appeal for completion if he wishes to pursue an appeal against the decision.

In the meanwhile disability benefit and pay-related benefit have been paid to the date of the latest medical certificate received.

806.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £2.80 weekly the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £28.95. His means are derived from the value of board and lodging on his father's holding.

He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer on 26 March 1985 also assessed his means at £28.95 weekly. He has been informed accordingly and payments of £2.80 weekly continue to be made as they become due.

807.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be granted to a contributory old age pensioner (details supplied) in County Kerry who is living alone and whose official application was lodged on 20 December 1984.

The person concerned is in receipt of a contributory old age pension since 7 October 1977. He claimed a living alone allowance on 30 January 1985 and following an investigation by the local social welfare officer, this allowance has been awarded to him with effect from 21 December 1984, i.e. the Friday following his wife's death. A supplementary book containing orders payable from 5 April 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him. The arrears in respect of the period from 21 December 1984 to 4 April 1985 will be issued to him in the next few days.

808.

(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.

The person concerned does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit.

He claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for an investigation of his means. Following the completion of inquiries his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means from the profit of his holding and from capital exceeded the statutory limit.

He was advised of the decision in his case and of his right to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer.

809.

(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the final payment of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 31 December 1984 and was paid to 11 March 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received.

On receipt of the parliamentary question his employer was contacted and it was established that he was absent from work through illness until 18 March 1985. Payment for the period 11 March to 18 March was issued to him on 19 April 1985.

810.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the rate that will be paid.

The person concerned has been paid all disability benefit payable to 20 March 1985, the date of the latest medical evidence received, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance already advanced. Benefit totalling £458.55 was issued to him on 28 March 1985.

He is not entitled to pay-related benefit as he has no reckonable earnings in 1983-84, the income tax year which governs his claim.

811.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 December 1984 to 12 January 1985 after which date she was certified fit to resume work. Benefit was paid at the weekly rate of £37.25 the maximum rate appropriate to a single woman.

She was also paid pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £14.20 from 31 December 1985, nineteenth day of incapacity.

All benefit payable in respect of her claim has been issued to her. There was a delay initially in making payment as she failed to quote her RSI number on the medical certificates submitted in support of her claim.

812.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons payments of disability benefit have been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway despite the fact that a medical referee has made a provisional assessment that the person has a 10 per cent faculty loss; if, in view of this situation, he will now direct his Department to pay all disability payments due and to ensure that future payments are made on a regular basis; the date on which all arrears and weekly payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 6 September 1984 and all benefit payable was issued to 16 February 1985, when she was certified fit to resume work.

She also claimed disablement benefit in respect of her occupational accident on 8 March 1984 and following a medical referee examination on 12 February 1985 the extent of her disablement was provisionally assessed at 10 per cent in respect of the 13 month period from 6 September 1984 to 5 October 1985. A cheque for £335.40, the amount appropriate to the assessment was issued on 6 March 1985.

813.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance which is due to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly has not been paid.

The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 21 December 1984 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. He failed to make himself available for interview. Consequently no further progress could be made in the investigation of his claim.

He has been advised that if he is now willing to co-operate in the investigation of his means he should notify his local office to this effect and arrangements will be made to refer his case to a social welfare officer for inquiries. Following the completion of inquiries his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.

814.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied for disability benefit for one week was referred to a medical referee; if this is the usual procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit for the period 14 February 1985 to 16 February 1985. Because of an administrative error he was referred for examination by a medical referee on 15 April 1985. His claim from 14 February 1985 was not affected however, as he was certified fit to resume work from 18 February 1985.

815.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason maternity benefit which was applied for in February 1984 has not been paid to a person in County Monaghan.

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 require 26 contributions paid on credited in the income tax year 1982-83. The person concerned has no contributions paid or credited in that year.

816.

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

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 September 1981 and payment was issued to 10 January 1985.

Payment was disallowed from 11 January 1985 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

She appealed against the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee who found her to be incapable of work from that date.

Accordingly payment of benefit was restored from 11 January 1985 and all benefit payable has been issued to her.

817.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when occupational injury benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who submitted a new claim.

The person concerned was paid injury benefit from 18 September 1984 to 24 November 1984 in respect of an incapacity which resulted from an accident at work on 7 September 1984. He subsequently claimed further injury benefit from 11 March 1985 in respect of the same incapacity. The incapacity commenced after the expiry of the maximum injury benefit period, (26 weeks from the date of accident), and injury benefit therefore was not payable.

He also claimed disablement benefit and arrangements are being made for his examination as soon as possible to assess his disablement.

A decision on the claim will then be made

In the meantime he has been awarded disability benefit from 11 March, the first day of incapacity and pay-related benefit from 1 April, the nineteenth day of incapacity.

Benefit has been paid to the date of the latest medical certificate received less sums deducted in respect of unemployment benefit paid and supplementary welfare allowance advanced which has been refunded to the Southern Health Board.

818.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid unemployment assistance.

The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 9 April 1985 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.

He is at present in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his unemployment assistance claim.

819.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for a widow's pension to be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who was divorced from her first husband, a British citizen, and whose second husband died in May 1984; and in view of the fact that this lady has no income and has a six year old son to support, if he will confirm that this pension will be paid without further delay.

The person concerned has been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £51.05 with effect from 18 January 1985, the Friday following the date of receipt of her claim. This is the maximum rate of non-contributory pension payable to a widow under 66 years of age with one qualified child.

A pension book with orders payable from 15 February 1985 was sent to the designated post office on 19 April for collection by her and she was notified accordingly. Arrears for the period from 18 January 1985 to 14 February 1985 will be sent direct to her shortly by payable order.

820.

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

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 28 January 1985. Payment was not authorised however, as he submitted an incorrect revenue social insurance number under which no contributions were recorded in 1983-84, the contribution year that governed his claim. The matter was subsequently resolved and the arrears of benefit payable less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the Southern Health Board were issued to him on 15 March 1985.

All benefit payable in respect of his claim has been issued to 9 April 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received.

821.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork even though he was in hospital and submitted the necessary documentation.

Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 26 November 1984, following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.

He appealed against the disallowance and he was examined on 18 December 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 as soon as possible. He will be notified of the time and place of the hearing when the arrangements have been made.

There is no trace of hospital certificates having been received from the claimant.

The claimant has again been advised to forward medical evidence for the period of hospitalisation and his claim will then be reviewed.

822.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork for the past three weeks, and when payments will resume.

All disability benefit payable to 15 April 1985, the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued to the person concerned.

Payment is normally made on receipt of medical evidence of incapacity in the Department, but due to an administrative error there was a delay in issuing payment for the period 26 March to 15 April 1985. Payment for this period was issued on 19 April 1985.

823.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as it was withdrawn on 18 March without explanation.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 26 February 1985 and payment was issued to 18 March 1985 when he submitted a final medical certificate certifying that he was fit to return to work.

He submitted a further claim to disability benefit from 25 March 1985 and stated that he was last employed on 22 March 1985. All benefit payable in respect of this claim has been issued to 10 April 1985 after which date he was again certified fit to resume work.

Question No. 824 postponed.

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