Vol. 361 No. 11
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason free transport passes which have been issued to persons in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance are being withdrawn when such persons obtain employment in a sheltered workshop or similar environment.
98.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will allow the issue of free transport passes to persons ordinarily in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance but who are obtaining temporary employment in sheltered workshops.
It is proposed to take Question Nos. 97 and 98 together. The free travel scheme applies to all persons aged 66 and over, to blind persons aged 18 and over and to persons receiving social welfare type payments as permanently incapacitated persons. Persons in receipt of a disabled person's maintenance allowance, who are attending a sheltered workshop, are entitled to free travel. If the disabled person's maintenance allowance is subsequently withdrawn by the health board entitlement to free travel ceases.
An extension of the free travel scheme to include persons not in receipt of a qualifying payment would have wide-ranging implications and would give rise to significant increased costs. There are no proposals for such an extension in present circumstances.
99.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when sanction for an old age pension will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
The person concerned was awarded an old age contributory pension at the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 46 reckonable contributions with effect from 27 September 1985, i.e. the Friday following his 66th birthday. An old age contributory pension book containing orders payable from 4 October 1985 was issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he was notified accordingly. Arrears of the pension from 27 September 1985 to 3 October 1985 will be issued to him by payable order in the next few days.
100.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cause of the extraordinarily long delay in having unemployment assistance granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny where the application was made last July.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 31 July 1985 and her means were subsequently investigated by a social welfare officer. Following completion of the social welfare officer's inquiries the papers were referred to a deciding officer for assessment of her means. However, it recently came to light that the papers had been lost in postal transit.
Arrangements have been made for the social welfare officer to again carry out the necessary investigation, as a matter of urgency, and the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome of the investigation. The delay in this case is regretted.
101.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will waive or suspend collection of payment of a blind pension overpaid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12.
The person concerned is in receipt of both blind person and disability benefit at a total weekly entitlement of £92.90. He claimed and was paid an increase in disability benefit in respect of his wife who was not residing with or being supported by him from 6 March 1972 to 10 August 1985 and as a result he incurred an overpayment of £8,287.12. The amount outstanding is legally due to the Department and it cannot be waived. It is being recovered by weekly deductions of £2 per week from his current entitlement which cannot be considered to be excessive. Payment of disability benefit has been issued to 23 November 1985 in accordance with medical evidence received.
102.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 benefit for British insurance stamps which he left at Castlebride Street which was a social welfare office during the second world war, in view of the fact that the Department cannot locate those, but it would affect his entitlement to benefits; if he will accept a sworn affidavit as acceptable evidence in this case.
The person concerned submitted a claim for retirement pension on 25 February 1985 but the claim was withdrawn at his own request. He would be qualified for the pension at the maximum rate but he has opted to continue claiming unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit at present.
Details of his Irish contribution record were sent to the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, in order that that Department might determine his possible entitlement to a British pro rata pension under EC regulations. It is understoond that that Department had difficulty in tracing his British insurance record but that they have now done so and will be in touch with him shortly on the matter.
103.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum amount of a non-contributory old age pension, is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
104.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum amount of non-contributory old age pension, is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together as they refer to a married couple. It was decided on 15 February 1985 that the persons concerned are entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £35.30 from 19 October 1984. Their pensions were increased to £38 a week from 12 July 1985. This is the rate to which they are each entitled having regard to the assessment of their means consisting of half the weekly value of capital, the disposal of a large part of which has not been satisfactorily explained. If their circumstances have disimproved in the meantime it is open to them to apply to have their entitlements reviewed.
105.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will favourably consider waiving or allowing a reduction in the overpayment which is now due for repayment by a person (details supplied) in County Meath in relation to his disability benefit claim, as the error lies solely with the officials of his Department.
The person concerned has made three different claims to disability benefit since June 1983. On his current claim he was plaid at an incorrect weekly rate of £111.30 as opposed to a weekly rate of £74.85 on a previous claim. Accordingly he was overpaid an amount of £1,188.78 in the period from July 1984 to July 1985. Deductions of £6 per week were being made from his current entitlement and the outstanding balance is £1,071.97. However, it has now been decided to reduce the amount being recovered to £3 per week.
106.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £35.80 weekly being the appropriate rate in his case of £67.05 less means of £31.25. His means are derived from the profit from his holding and from the value of capital. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed his means at £31.25 weekly on 10 May 1985. It is open to the person concerned to request a review of his means, by completing an application form available for that purpose, at his local office.
107.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the payment of unemployment assistance has been reduced by £7 per week in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance since January 1984 based on means of £9.25, derived from the value of capital. He appealed against the means assessment in December 1983 and an appeals officer also assessed his means at £9.25 weekly. Following the receipt of fresh evidence the case was referred again to the appeals officer who reduced the means assessment to £7.05 a week with effect from 1 September 1985.
The person concerned is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance from 1 September 1985 at the weekly rate of £61.80, being the appropriate rate in his case of £68.85 less means of £7.05. All arrears arising from the reduction in the means assessment were paid to him on 20 October 1985. Weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
108.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a peson (details supplied) in Dublin who is three years on disability benefit was refused invalidity benefit; and if he will be granted an oral hearing for his appeal.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned was examined by a medical referee on 22 October 1985 who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work. A deciding officer decided that he was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension.
He has appealed against this decision and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 26 November 1985. If he is not found to be permanently incapable of work at this examination, his case will then be referred to an appeals officer who will be informed of his request for an oral hearing.
109.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny can have his claim reconsidered.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £19.20 derived from the benefit of a half share in a holding. His case was reviewed on 11 March 1985 and again he was assessed with means of £19.20 weekly. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at £14.60 weekly being the appropriate rate in his case of £33.80, less means of £19.20.
He has not appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the time allowed for appeal has now expired. However, if his circumstances have changed it is open to him to request a review of his means and a form for this purpose can be obtained at his local office.
110.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the invalidity pension application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will be processed.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. Arrangements are being made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
111.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; when payment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 September 1985.
She is not entitled to benefit as according to the records of the Department she has no contributions paid or credited in 1983-84, the contribution year governing her claim.
She has 48 contributions paid in the 1984-85 contribution year and she will therefore qualify for payment of disability benefit from 6 January 1986 should she remain incapable of work.
112.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who is married with three young children and applied 14 weeks ago for unemployment assistance at Edenderry employment exchange.
According to the records of the Department, the particulars furnished by the Deputy relate to a single man. He was recently assessed with means of £14.65 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents home. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £17.10 weekly being the appropriate rate in his case of £31.75 less means of £14.65.
All arrears due to him were paid on 14 November 1985 and weekly payments of £17.10 will continue to be made as they become due.
113.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pensioner (details supplied) in County Wexford who is living alone will be awarded a free telephone rental allowance; and when this will be credited.
The person concerned was approved for a free telephone rental allowance with effect from 29 April 1982 — the date of installation of her phone. Telecom Éireann has confirmed that the allowance has been applied to her account from that date.
114.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of a non-contributory pension to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The old age pension claim of the person concerned has been partially investigated by the social welfare officer. Details regarding income from sales to a creamery are awaited and when these are received the case will be referred to a deciding officer for decision. If pension is awarded it will be paid from 2 December 1985, the date the person concerned reaches 66 years. The claimant will be notified of the outcome.
115.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to old age pension at the weekly rate of £16 from 4 October 1985. This is the rate to which he is entitled having regard to the assessment of his means consisting of half the weekly value of capital and the income from a holding (the transfer of which is not acceptable for old age pension purposes). An allowance payable in respect of the adult dependant of the person concerned has been withdrawn as she is now in receipt of pension in her own right.
An appeal has been lodged by the pensioner's wife against the rates of pension at present in payment to the couple and a form has issued to enable them to state the grounds of their appeal. On its return the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. The pensioners will be notified of the outcome without delay.
116.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be completed.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish full particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal, the case was returned to the social welfare officer, to afford the person concerned a further opportunity to co-operate in the disclosure of his means. The social welfare officer has been in contact with the person concerned and has requested him to furnish certain information, and when this is forthcoming the social welfare officer will be in a position to complete his report.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome of the investigations.
117.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that a person must be available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 4 July 1985 but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking employment. He was notified of the decision and of his right to appeal but he has not done so to date. Following completion of inquiries to establish what efforts he had recently made to secure employment, his claim to unemployment assistance was allowed from 26 September 1985. He is a postal applicant and arrangements have been made to issue an order this week, for encashment at this local post office, paying all arrears due. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
118.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that a refund of social welfare is paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has not received payment within the past few weeks.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 October 1983 and is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £39.50 the maximum rate appropriate to a single woman. Payment is issued at regular weekly intervals on receipt of medical evidence and all benefit payable has been issued to date.
There have been no significant delays in issuing payment to the claimant over bank holiday periods.
119.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will renew the entitlement to a free electricity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose circumstances have changed.
To quality for a free electricity allowance, a person must reside alone or with categories of persons whose residence is excepted for the purposes of the scheme. Free electricity allowance was terminated in the case of the person concerned as his grandson who resided with him ceased to come within the excepted categories for satisfying the living alone condition of the scheme. Inquiries recently made in this case indicate that the grandson still resides with him and free electricity allowance cannot therefore be restored in his case.
120.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to expedite transfer from disability benefit to an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the applicants's serious illness and urgency of his case.
A form on which to claim invalidity pension has been forwarded to the person concerned and on its return, duly completed, the claim will be dealt with without delay.
121.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cause of the long delay in having a non-contributory old age pension granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The old age pension entitlements of the person concerned have been partially investigated. The social welfare officer is awaiting a copy of a deed of transfer which he has requested. When this is received the case will be referred to a deciding officer for decision. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of Deputy Frank Fahey's representations on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has appealed against the decision to cancel his unemployment assistance.
Following reinvestigation in September 1984, 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 the disallowance but an appeals officer also decided that he failed to furnish particulars of his means. On 18 April 1985 the person concerned applied for a review of his means and he was again refused a qualification certificate, on the grounds that he failed to disclose his means. He appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions made in support of the appeal the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for decision.
The person concerned requalified for unemployment benefit from 1 October 1985 and is in receipt of the appropriate maximum weekly rate of £102.40. Weekly payments of unemployment benefit will continue to be made as they become due.
123.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider his decision and grant a blind pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will accept this representation as an appeal against the disallowance.
It has been decided that the person concerned is not entitled to a blind pension as she does not fulfil the statutory conditions as to means and blindness. The assessment of her means consisting of half the weekly value of a holding exceed the statutory limit of £48 weekly and the ophthalmic inspector has reported that she does not fulfil the conditions as to blindness. In view of the Deputy's question, an appeal form has issued to the person concerned enabling her to state the grounds of her appeal against this decision. On receipt of the completed form the case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
124.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he expects to make a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against a decision to cancel his unemployment assistance which was made in September 1985; and the outcome of that appeal.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. The person concerned appealed against the disallowance and the papers were referred to a social welfare officer to afford him a further opportunity to co-operate in the investigation of his means. If he co-operates, an investigation will be carried out and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
125.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against a decision to cancel his unemployment assistance; and if he will indicate the delay in having this appeal considered and in responding to Deputy Frank Fahey's letter of 12 August 1985.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that an applicant must be available for and genuinely seeking work. The person concerned failed to attend an interview arranged by AnCO and accordingly he was not considered as being available for and genuinely seeking work and his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed from 26 June 1984.
He was advised of his right to appeal against the disallowance and a form to enable him to do so, was issued to him on 3 August 1984. He failed to return the form and another form was issued to him, on request, on 24 June 1985. A hearing of his appeal was arranged for 11 July 1985 but the person concerned failed to attend and an appeals officer decided that he was not available for work. He was notified of this decision on 8 August 1985.
The person concerned has not been in touch with his local office since 18 June 1985, when he last signed as unemployed.
There is no trace in the Department of representations dated 12 August 1985 having been received from the Deputy. However, a reply from the Department regarding the person concerned was issued to the Deputy on 12 August 1985.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive his invalidity pension as he applied for it in April 1985.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 February 1984. His insurance contributions for 1982-83 and 1983-84, the contribution years governing his claim to date, are not reckonable for disability benefit purposes as they were paid at the Class D rate. Accordingly he is not entitled to payment of disability benefit. In connection with his claim for an invalidity pension, a form on which to claim this pension has been forwarded to the person concerned. On its return duly completed the claim will be dealt with without delay.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied for unemployment benefit on the 17 August 1985 is now in receipt of his full entitlements.
A claimant for unemployment benefit who is a landholder but 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 contribution condition of having 78 paid contributions in a three year period. Accordingly, inquiries which are expected to be completed shortly, are being made to establish whether the profit from his holding exceeds £2 daily. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be decided in the light of the outcome of these inquiries. The person concerned has not applied for unemployment assistance but it is open to him to do so.
128.
(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 18 September 1984 and was paid to 11 June 1985.
She did not attend for examination by a medical referee of the Department on 12 June 1985 and as a result payment of benefit was disallowed for the statutory-period of six weeks.
Her explanation for her failure to attend for examination has been accepted and payment of disability benefit for the six week period was issued to her on 18 November 1985.
Her claim was readmitted for payment from 24 July 1984 and payment was issued to 17 September 1985. Payment was disallowed from 18 September 1985 following an examination by a medical referee who considered her to be capable of work. The claimant was certified fit to resume work on 20 September 1985 by her own doctor.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department proposes to issue a free telephone rental allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
To be entitled to a free telephone rental allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying pension or allowance. The person concerned is receiving an American pension which does not provide entitlement under the scheme. Her application had therefore to be disallowed and she was notified to this effect on 10 September 1984 and 30 April 1985.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against a decision to cancel his unemployment assistance.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £19.25, being the appropriate rate in his case of £76.95 less means assessed against him, of £57.70, derived from the income from his land.
He appealed against the means assessment and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal, the papers were referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries were completed recently and his case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination.
The appeal of the person concerned has been listed for oral hearing and notification of the date and venue will be issued to him as soon as they are finalised. The rate of unemployment assistance payable, will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position with regard to an appeal against the decision to cancel his unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
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.
The person concerned appealed against the disallowance and an appeals officer reduced the means assessment to £20.75 weekly, with effect from 4 March 1985. He is accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £9.20 weekly being the appropriate rate in his case of £29.95 less means of £20.75 from 4 March 1985 to 2 July 1985 and £11 weekly being the appropriate rate of £31.75 less means of £20.75, from 3 July 1985. All arrears due were paid on 1 October 1985 and weekly payments of £11 will continue to be made as they become due.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the outcome of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against the decision to cancel his unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was assessed with means, £39.32 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding. Accordingly, as his means exceeded the statutory limit, his claim to unemployment assistance was disallowed. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable determined accordingly. The person concerned ceased to sign at his local office on 4 June 1985.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive the decision on his appeal made two months ago for continuance of disability benefit, as he has a nerve problem and attends a psychiatrist weekly.
The person concerned, having been found capable of work by a medical referee, has appealed against the decision to disallow disability benefit for the period from 17 January 1985. His case was referred on 11 September 1985 to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of the case as soon as possible. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of his appeal immediately a decision is to hand.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has appealed the amount of £21.05 of unemployment assistance awarded to her, will receive the maximum allowance.
Arising out of contentions made by the person concerned in support of her appeal against the amount of means assessed against her, her case was referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed her case will then be referred to an appeals officer for determination. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to her will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £21.05 being the appropriate rate in her case of £31.75 less means of £10.70.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who applied for unemployment assistance in March 1985 will receive payment.
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 disallowance and his appeal is listed for oral hearing on 22 November 1985. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
136.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned has been awarded a contributory old age pension at maximum rate with effect from 1 November 1985. An old age contributory pension book containing orders payable from 1 November 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned applied for unemployment benefit on 5 September 1985 and a claim for unemployment assistance was also taken on that date. Following inquiries it was established that the person concerned did not satisfy the contribution conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit and the case was then referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When the inquiries are completed the entitlements of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cause of the long delay in paying unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who signed for 11 weeks up to 15 October; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until extensive inquiries regarding his means had been completed. Following completion of these inquiries, his means were assessed at £28.90 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging on his parents holding and from the maintenance portion of a student grant. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance from 30 July 1985 at the weekly rate of £2.85, being the appropriate rate in his case of £31.75, less means of £28.90. All arrears due, up to 8 October 1985 when he ceased to sign, will be paid to the person concerned this week.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a free telephone rental allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
To qualify 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.
The person concerned was requested to furnish a medical certificate in respect of his wife. The required medical evidence was not received however and the allowance cannot therefore be granted to him. He was notified to this effect on 30 August 1985. If the applicant is dissatisfied with this decision it is open to him to submit medical evidence in support of his claim. On receipt of such medical evidence in the Department his application will be reviewed and he will be notified of the outcome.
140.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will regrant prescribed relatives allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry having regard to the fact that household circumstances are not good and that her son who is the prescribed relative, who resides with her, is in poor financial circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following a review of the prescribed relative allowance entitlement of the person concerned, it has been decided by a deciding officer that the pensioner is no longer entitled to the allowance on the grounds that she does not fulfil the statutory conditions. A condition for receipt of the allowance requires that but for the presence of the relative — in this case her son — the pensioner must be living alone or with children under 18 years or with persons over 18 years of age who are mentally or physically incapacitated. The pensioner's daughter, who is also living with her, does not fall into these categories. In the circumstances the allowance cannot be paid in this case.
141.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry whose application was made in August 1985.
The person concerned has been in receipt of an old age contributory pension since 19 September 1975. He has been awarded a living alone allowance with effect from 6 September 1985. A book containing orders payable from 4 October 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly. Arrears from 6 September 1985 to 3 October 1985 will be issued by payable order within the next few days.
142.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a claim for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £40.97 weekly, derived from board and lodgings on his parents' holding, from the value of capital and from self-employment as a mechanic. Accordingly, as his means exceeded the statutory limit, his claim for unemployment assistance was disallowed. If he completes and returns the appeal form recently issued to him his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
143.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway, who has no income or property of any type, that he he has registered with the National Manpower Service and has made strenuous efforts to get work; if he will direct that this assistance be restored to this man immediately; the date on which this assistance will be restored; the weekly amount and the total arrears that will be paid; the date that these payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on this very serious matter.
Following reinvestigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 24 July 1985 on the grounds that by failing to disclose details of his means, he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit.
The person concerned appealed against this disallowance and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal the papers were referred to a social welfare officer to afford him a further opportunity to co-operate in the disclosure of his means.
When these inquiries are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination of his means and the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
