asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is not in receipt of the maximum rate of pay-related benefit despite the fact he is married with five children.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
327.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 5 December 1985 to 8 January 1986, after which date he was certified fit to resume work. Payment was issued at the weekly rate of £65.10, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with no dependent children.
The person concerned submitted a claim form indicating that he was married and wished to claim an increase in benefit in respect of his wife. He did not claim an increase in benefit in respect of any dependent children. A second claim form has now been issued to him. On receipt of this form in the Department any arrears of benefit due to him will be issued.
Pay-related benefit also issued to the person concerned from 26 December 1985, nineteenth day of incapacity, at the weekly rate of £41.85. This was the maximum rate payable based on his earnings in the 1983-84 income tax year, which governed his claim.
328.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
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.
He has been informed of this decision and of his right to appeal against it, by his local office. If he wishes to appeal, a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
329.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unemployment assistance will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 24 May 1985 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 and was given a further opportunity to disclose his means. Following reinvestigation, he was assessed with means of £30 weekly, derived from contributions from his father. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £54.65 weekly, being the maximum appropriate rate payable in his case of £84.65 less means of £30.
All arrears due from 24 May 1985, less the supplementary welfare allowance received by him from his local health board, were paid to him last week. He was advised of his right to appeal against the revised decision, if dissatisfied.
330.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not in receipt of pay-related unemployment benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned has insufficient earnings during the governing income-tax period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 to be entitled to pay-related benefit with flat-rate unemployment benefit.
On his claim of 11 November 1985, he is in receipt of flat rate unemployment benefit at £39.50 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case.
331.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Clare who is seeking unemployment assistance will be heard.
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 failed to furnish particulars of his home circumstances.
He recently appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to afford him a further opportunity to disclose his means. If he agrees to cooperate 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.
332.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of how a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who is advanced in years, in very poor health and residing in a dilapidated hut, bereft of water or sanitary facilities and who would clearly have died from malnutrition were it not for the assistance of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, was refused a non-contributory old age pension on the grounds that his means exceeded the income limit laid down for this purpose; and if he will initiate an immediate reinvestigation into the case.
The person concerned is a landholder most of whose land is devoted to hay production. The assessment of his means comprises the estimated net profit —£63.46 a week — from the sale of hay in 1985 and the letting value — £19.23 a week — of the part of his holding which is not productively used. The statutory means limit for receipt of old age pension is £48 a week.
If the person concerned is dissatisfied with the decision given on his claim it is open to him to appeal against it stating the grounds on which his appeal is based. A form for this purpose has been issued to him.