asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider his rejection of the application for a widow's pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork on the grounds that she is earning £3,996 per annum; if he will outline how this excessive figure was arrived at, naming his sources, as she is adamant that her income from her bed and breakfast business is less than £1,000 per annum.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
313.
The claim of the person concerned to widow's non-contributory pension was refused last April because her means assessed at £70.84 per week, after allowing for a deduction of £6 per week in respect of one qualified child, exceeded the then limit of £54 per week applicable to her as a widow under 66 years of age with one qualified child. This limit is now £58 per week.
The local social welfare officer was not satisfied with the estimates of income furnished by the claimant. He then estimated her means based on his local knowledge in relation to the type of business involved. The estimate was examined by the officer's supervisor who agreed with the assessment.
She appealed against the decision but the appeal was disallowed by an appeals officer and the claimant was notified accordingly. An appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive and is only subject to review in the event of new facts or fresh evidence being furnished by or on behalf of the claimant.
314.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who completed the application form in December 1985.
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. There is no trace in the Department of a completed application form for invalidity pension from the person concerned.
315.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the application for a widow's pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned whose husband died on 30 September 1985 claimed a widow's non-contributory pension on 6 November 1985. A social welfare officer has been requested to investigate and report on her circumstances and when his report is received a decision will be given in her case without delay and she will be notified of the outcome. Her late husband has been in receipt of old age non-contributory pension which included an increase in respect of his wife and payment of this pension was continued to her for six weeks after his death.
316.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will receive unemployment and pay-related benefit; if there is any information available giving the reason she was refused unemployment benefit during the three weeks of unemployment in England when she actively sought employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned sought a transfer of her unemployment benefit to the United Kingdom on 25 September 1985 for a period while she was seeking employment in that country. She was given a letter of advice for presentation at an appropriate local office in the United Kingdom for the purpose of continuing her claim. Authorisation of payment was sent to the headquarters of the Department of Health and Social Security in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 25 September 1985. Inquiries are being made of the Department of Health and Social Security to establish the reason for non-payment of benefit as authorised. When these inquiries are completed her entitlement to unemployment benefit for the duration of her claim in the United Kingdom will be examined. On her return from the United Kingdom she again claimed unemployment benefit from 2 January 1986. Her claim was allowed at the maximum rate appropriate to a single person, of £39.50 weekly, and pay-related benefit of £13.57 weekly. Combined weekly payments at £53.07 weekly will continue to be made as they fall due.
317.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the result of an appeal for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
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. His appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who has decided to grant him an oral hearing of his case. He will be informed as soon as possible of the venue and the time of the hearing. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. It is understood that he is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.