asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will approve a disability benefit appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
115.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 17 February 1986, after which date payment was disallowed on examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 16 May 1986. His entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report. Claims to benefit are decided by deciding officers and appeals officers, who are independent in the exercise of their statutory duties.
Question No. 116 withdrawn.
117.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the continued refusal of the unemployment assistance claim of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will grant him an oral hearing on his appeal.
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 applicable in his case. He appealed against the disallowance and his papers were returned to the social welfare officer to afford him a further opportunity to co-operate in the disclosure of his means. When these inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity. His request for an oral hearing will be brought to the attention of the appeals officer. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of his appeal and of the decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance as quickly as possible.
118.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a refund of PRSI, due to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, will be issued.
The person concerned applied for a refund of PRSI due to him as an employee of a company and also for moneys due to the company. A refund of the employee's share has issued to the person concerned. The company have ceased trading and further inquiries are necessary before a refund of moneys due to it can be made.
119.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford and, if so, when.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on a claimant being the holder of a qualification certificate and to obtain a qualification certificate a claimant must satisfy certain conditions, including an assessment of means. The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 6 February 1986 and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. The investigation was recently completed and arrangements are being made to refer the papers to a deciding officer for assessment of means. The person concerned will be notified of the means assessment and of the decision on his entitlements to unemployment assistance as quickly as possible.
120.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan is not receiving unemployment benefit.
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 does not satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit, on the basis of her Irish contribution record. Her United Kingdom contribution record cannot be invoked for the purpose of her claim as she is not eligible for a transfer of contributions under the provisions of the EC regulations because her last insurable employment was outside this country. An inquiry to the United Kingdom authorities has confirmed that the person concerned is not entitled to a transfer of United Kingdom benefit on the grounds that she has not registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom for the required period prior to coming to Ireland.
121.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive disability benefit.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 March 1986. He was not entitled to benefit at the commencement of his claim as according to the records of the Department he had fewer than the minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1984-85 the contribution year governing his claim. Following inquiries it was established that he had sufficient contributions paid and credited in 1984-85 to qualify for benefit at the reduced weekly rate of £38.05. The arrears of benefit payable to 23 April the date of the latest medical certificate received have been issued to him.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of fuel vouchers issued in each county in the winter of (1) 1984-85 and (2) 1985-86.
It is assumed that the question refers to fuel allowances under the national fuel scheme which is administered by the health boards. The general practice is for allowances under this scheme to be paid by cheque in two or three instalments during the heating season. The number of cheque issues varies as between the different health boards and it is not possible to give precise information in the form requested.
Statistics are available on the numbers of recipients under the scheme for each community care area. These do not, however, correspond in all cases to county areas. The numbers of recipients by area in the 1984-85 heating season is attached. Information for the 1985-86 season is not yet available.
123.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give details, including examples, of the new "weighted basis" system in operation when calculating the value of board and lodgings, for applicants for unemployment assistance in cases where the parents' income is derived from yearly profit from a small holding; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
In calculating the value of board and lodgings in respect of an applicant for unemployment assistance who resides with his parents on a farm the procedure is to estimate the yearly value of the profit from the farm and to divide the amount between all members of the household including the applicant on a weighted basis. In general a weighting of 1.5 is attached to each parent and one to each non-earning dependant including the applicant. For example in the case of a family consisting of parents and three non-earning children the yearly profit from farming would be divided by six.
The method described above has been in operation for a long number of years. The requirement to take account of the value of board and lodgings is designed to achieve a degree of equity between applicants living in good circumstances and those in poor circumstances.
124.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a claim for dental treatment submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary for £187 was refused and when this will be paid.
One of the qualifying contribution conditions for the receipt of dental benefit requires persons over 23 years of age to have had not less than 156 reckonable employment contributions paid before the commencement of the treatment. The person concerned claimed dental benefit on 14 March 1985. According to the records of the Department at that time he had a total of 79 contributions paid up to 5 April 1984. Even taking account of further contributions from that date to 14 March 1985 he could not have reached a total of 156 contributions by the latter date. His claim could not, therefore, be approved. Both the claimant and his dentist were notified of the position on 17 April 1985.
According to the Department's records the position now is that a further 52 reckonable contributions have been recorded in respect of the 1984-85 contribution year bringing his total number of contributions to 131 at the year ended 5 April 1985. Provided a further 25 reckonable contributions have been paid in respect of the 1985-86 contribution year, i.e. giving a total of 156 contributions paid, he will qualify for benefit in respect of any further dental treatment he may require. If he now wishes to claim benefit in respect of further treatment he should arrange with his dentist to have the appropriate application form submitted for approval. He is not, however, qualified for benefit in respect of his claim of 14 March 1985.
125.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been refused unemployment assistance.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the beneficial occupation of a holding and from the value of capital exceeded the maximum rate payable in his case. He appealed against the disallowance on 8 April 1986 and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal his papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity. The person concerned will be informed of the outcome of the appeal and of the decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance as quickly as possible.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of PRSI has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and the reason he was not in receipt of disability benefit for the period from October to December.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance until 9 April 1986, when following reinvestigation, his claim was disallowed from that date, on the grounds that his means, derived from the profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit applicable in his case. he appealed against the disallowance of his claim and arrangements are being made to refer his papers to an appeals officer for determination of means. He will be notified of the outcome of the appeal and of the decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance as quickly as possible. The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 September 1985. He submitted two medical certificates only, both dated 30 September 1985, in support of his claim and as, accordingly, there was no period of incapacity involved, payment of disability benefit was not made.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not been granted unemployment assistance.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 16 April 1986 on the grounds that his means, derived from the profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit applicable in his case. It is open to him to appeal against the decision and have his means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
128.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding the invalidity pension application lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
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 January 1986 by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not incapable of work. He is, therefore, not entitled to invalidity pension.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the invalidity pension application made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned has been in receipt of invalidity pension continuously since 10 June 1982. He is presently in receipt of £115.75 a week being the rate appropriate to a married man with four qualified child dependants.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware of the application of a person (details supplied) in County Cork for unemployment assistance which was refused recently by the Cork exchange; the reasons for this refusal as he has a wife and two children and is receiving only £35 per week supplementary welfare allowance and his wife's disability benefit of £34; and if she will ensure that the case is reviewed in view of the severe hardship in the circumstances outlined above.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries, which were protracted, were recently completed and the case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means. The person concerned will be informed of the outcome of his appeal and of the decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance, as quickly as possible.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on a claimant being the holder of a qualification certificate and to obtain a qualification certificate a person must satisfy certain conditions, including an assessment of means. The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and his papers were referred to a social welfare officer for an assessment of means. When the inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed with means of £29.50 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging in his mother's home. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and on 20 February 1986 an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £29.50 weekly.
He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £2.25 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75, less means of £29.50. The persons concerned has not been in contact with his local office since 28 January 1986.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a review, 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 arising from contentions made by him in support of the appeal the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. It is anticipated that these inquiries will be completed shortly and his case will then be submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means, at the earliest available opportunity. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of his appeal and of the decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance as quickly as possible.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for an increase in the rate of unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £71.15 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £41.30 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £112.45 less means of £71.15. He appealed against the means assessment and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. The inquiries were recently completed and the case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means, at the earliest possible day. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the appeal, and any consequent alteration in the rate of unemployment assistance payable, as quickly as possible. Further weekly payments of £41.30 will continue to be made as they become due.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22.
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 from 11 December 1985. According to the Department's records, she did not satisfy the contribution condition of having 26 contributions paid or credited in the contribution period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed her entitlement to unemployment benefit from 11 December 1985. The matter of the apparent non-payment of contributions by her former employer was investigated by a social welfare officer. The investigations were completed recently and her claim was allowed at the weekly rate of £34.70, which is the maximum rate of unemployment benefit payable to a married woman. All arrears due for the period up to 22 April 1986, were paid on 25 April 1986. Further weekly payments at £34.70 will continue to be made as they become due. Inquiries are continuing in respect of her possible entitlement to pay-related benefit. A P45 which proved to be illegible has been returned to her previous employer. When the details on this form have been clarified, her entitlement to pay-related benefit will be determined.
136.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who made application for smallholders assistance in the first week of January will receive payment.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £28.80 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance of £50.70 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £79.50 less means of £28.80. Arrangements have been made with is local office to pay all arrears due this week and weekly payments of £50.70 will continue to be made as they become due.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
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 16 January 1986 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 28 April 1986. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given on the appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, against the decision not to pay him unemployment assistance at the maximum rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed, with effect from 26 March 1986, at £48.10 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding and from the value of capital. The means exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him and, accordingly, the claim was disallowed. According to the Department's records the person concerned, who was notified of the decision, has not appealed against the means assessment, and it is open to him to do so. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.