asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is only receiving £13.25 per week unemployment benefit.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
81.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited at the appropriate rate in the governing contribution period. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 6 March 1985 to 12 March 1985 and from 19 September 1985. She did not have sufficient contributions paid or credited at the appropriate rate in the governing contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 and accordingly her claims for unemployment benefit were disallowed. She applied for unemployment assistance and was assessed with means of £15.85 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings on her parent's holding. She appealed against the means assessment but an appeals officer also assessed her means at £15.85 weekly. She is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £15.90 weekly being the maximum appropriate rate payable in her case of £31.75 less means of £15.85. The applicant, however, works one day per week and accordingly she is being paid £13.25 weekly in respect of five days only. Weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
She recently applied for a review of her means and the case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to her will be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
82.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the personal representatives of a deceased person (details supplied) in County Offaly who has an insurance record are eligible for any funeral grants from her Department.
There is no trace of a claim having been received in this case. It would appear, however, from the Department's records that a death grant would be payable on the insurance record of the deceased person. A claim form has been sent to the representatives of the deceased and when it is returned it will receive prompt attention.
83.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the continuing delay in having unemployment benefit paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
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 claimed unemployment benefit on 16 October 1985 but did not satisfy the contribution condition for receipt of unemployment benefit on the basis of her Irish contribution record. She was employed in France during part of the governing contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 and her entitlement to unemployment benefit could not be established until inquiries had been made to ascertain her contribution record in that country. A form for this purpose was sent to the headquarters of the French Social Services requesting details of her contributions in that country for the period concerned. A reply was received, but the information relative to the contribution year requested was not furnished. Another request for these specific particulars was sent to France recently. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit from 16 October 1985 will be determined in the light of the information furnished.
A new benefit year commenced on 6 January 1986 and as the person concerned satisfies the contribution condition, for receipt of minimum rate unemployment benefit, during the governing period 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985 her claim has been allowed at the weekly rate of £35.35 from 6 January 1986.
Arrangements have been made to issue to her this week an order for encashment at her local post office in respect of all arrears of flat rate unemployment benefit due from 6 January 1986. Further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due. The delay in this case is regretted.
84.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
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 at a class which provides cover against unemployment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 30 August 1985. Inquiries had to be made to establish if her employment during the relevant contribution year 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed her claim of 30 August 1985 was insurable at a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment. These inquiries were recently completed and it was established that her employment was not insurable at a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment and accordingly her claim to unemployment benefit was disallowed. The person concerned is being notified of the decision regarding the insurability of her employment, and of her right to appeal against that decision.
85.
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 Wexford.
The person concerned exhausted her entitlement to 312 days unemployment benefit on 6 October 1985. However, she requalified for benefit from 7 October 1985 as she satisfied the condition of having 13 weeks of employment, which was insurable at the appropriate contribution class, since 156 days of benefit had been drawn. According to the Department's records she had only 36 contributions paid and six unemployment credits during the period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governs her claim of 7 October 1985 and consequently her claim was allowed at £33.65 being the appropriate reduced rate payable in her case. She ceased to prove unemployment on 9 February 1986.
86.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to have a person (details supplied) in County Wexford transferred from disability benefit to an invalidity pension.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 15 April 1985. Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. In order that a person may be considered permanently incapable of work, it is necessary for him to, inter alia, have been continuously incapable of work for a period of one year. Therefore, the earliest date on which the claimant can qualify for invalidity pension is 15 April 1986. In addition it is necessary to have him examined by a medical referee for an opinion as to his future capacity for work. Arrangements have been made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee on 6 March 1986. Disability benefit will continue to issue in the meantime to the person concerned on receipt of monthly medical evidence of incapacity.
87.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was not transferred from disability benefit to invalidity pension.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned was examined on 22 November 1985 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work. A deciding officer decided that he was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension. However, arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 6 March 1986. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.