asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not in receipt of unemployment assistance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
119.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 6 March 1986 and following investigation of his claim he was assessed with means of £1.70 weekly, derived from the value of the benefit of board and lodgings in his parent's home. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £30.05 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75 less means of £1.70. Arrears due on his claim from 6 March 1986 will be paid to him this week and further weekly payments of £30.05 will continue to be made as they become due.
120.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has been reduced from £34.70 to £25.70 for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
When the person concerned had drawn his maximum entitlement of 390 days unemployment benefit on 10 November 1985 he claimed unemployment assistance. Pending an investigation of his case he was paid unemployment assistance initially on the basis of a qualification certificate, which had been issued in connection with a previous claim and which showed weekly means of 5p. He was, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £34.90, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £34.95, less means of 5p.
On completion of the investigations his means were reassessed from 23 April 1986 at £9.25 weekly, derived from the capital value of a house. In accordance with the revised means assessment he was entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £25.70, that is £34.95 less means of £9.25.
Following confirmation from the Valuation Office of a revised estimate for the capital value of his house, the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £6.35 weekly. His weekly rate of unemployment assistance has, accordingly, been revised to £28.60, that is £34.95 less means of £6.35, and arrears due from 23 April 1986 will be paid to him this week. Further weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £28.60 will continue to be made as they become due.
121.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeals officer will hear an application for disability benefit for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 21 November 1985 after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance of benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 22 January 1986 who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
His appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of his claim as soon as possible. It is not yet possible to give a specific date for the hearing due to the large volume of appeals on hand. However, the person concerned will be notified as soon as the final arrangements have been completed.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will pay an increase in unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Following a recent reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned his weekly means, derived from income from self-employment and from the value of capital, were reduced from £34.90 to £17.70. He is, accordingly, now entitled to unemployment assistance of £76.30 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £94 less means of £17.70. All arrears due on his claim will be paid to him this week and further weekly payments of £76.30 will continue to be made as they become due.
123.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an increase in unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £23.05 weekly derived from income from self-employment. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £9.70 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £32.75 less means of £23.05.
He appealed against the means assessment on 29 April, 1986, and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal his case has been referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination as soon as possible. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of his appeal and of his entitlement to unemployment assistance.
124.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 1 November 1980 and is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £65.10 the maximum rate appropriate to a married man. The records of the Department show that payment has been issued at regular weekly intervals on receipt of monthly medical certificates and all benefit payable has been issued to date.
125.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 11 October 1983 and is currently paid to 4 April 1986, date of the latest medical evidence received. Payment for the period 29 March 1986 to 4 April 1986 was issued on 7 April 1986.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware of the severe hardships inflicted on the people of Wexford who suffer an intolerable delay in getting their disability benefit.
The position generally in relation to disability benefit is that payments are being issued promptly where the claim is made correctly and the claimant is qualified on his or her insurance record.
The issue of payment depends on the receipt of medical evidence of incapacity and any delay or irregularity in the submission or delivery of medical certificates to the Department inevitably delays the issue of payment. These are matters over which the Department has no control.
A recent examination of medical certificates forwarded to the Department showed that a substantial number of claimants failed to quote their RSI number which resulted in delay in payment issuing. However it is not possible to comment on specific cases in the absence of identifying particulars but if the Deputy would arrange to furnish details of any cases which have been brought to his attention, the matter will be attended to.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the unemployment assistance appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
128.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will not receive unemployment assistance even though he had been in receipt of same for the past 30 years.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to unemployment benefit or assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has yet been made on an unemployment assistance claim for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny where the social welfare officer has visited and he has been signing for the last nine weeks.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance in March 1986 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. Following the investigation of means by the social welfare officer at the claimant's home further inquiries were then necessary regarding certain aspects of his means. These have now been completed and his case is being referred to a deciding officer for an assessment of his means.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the deciding officer's decision.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any decision has yet been made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow where the applicant's unemployment assistance has been reduced on two occasions.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim in September 1984 the means of the person concerned were assessed at £15.35 weekly, derived from the value of the benefit of board and lodgings on his brother's holding. He was paid unemployment assistance on the basis of that assessment until his case was reviewed in March 1986.
Following the review his means were assessed at £28 weekly, again derived from the value of the benefit of board and lodgings. This assessment entitled him to unemployment assistance at £5.80 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80, less means of £28.
He appealed against the assessment and, on 5 May 1986, an appeals officer assessed his means at £15 weekly. He was notified of the appeals officer's decision on 9 May 1986. On the basis of the revised assessment he is now entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £18.80, that is £33.80 less means of £15. All arrears due on his claim will be paid to him this week and further weekly payments of £18.80 will continue to be made as they become due.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who is presently working a two-day week and is under A1 insurance can be transferred to J1 insurance with her Department.
Following a review of the employment of the person concerned it has been decided that in her present circumstances J1 is the appropriate insurance category for her and the earlier decision applying the A1 rate of contribution to her employment has been rescinded.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is not in receipt of disability benefit even though he has been submitting certificates since December last.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 10 December 1985. Payment of benefit was not authorised however, as according to the records of the Department, he has no contributions paid or credited since 1979.
The claimant has indicated that he was employed since 1979 and his insurance record is currently being investigated. When the investigations have been completed his entitlement to disability benefit will be reviewed. In the meantime, if his means are insufficient to meet his needs, he should contact his local community welfare officer with a view to claiming supplementary welfare allowance.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be facilitated with an oral appeal hearing for the purpose of a review of his unemployment assistance entitlement following his recent appeal.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £50.50 weekly derived from profit from his holding and also the value of capital based on a deposit account held at his local bank. His means, accordingly, exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case and his claim was disallowed.
He recently appealed against the disallowance of his claim and arrangements are being made to refer his case to an appeals officer for determination. Regulations provide that if the appeals officer is of the opinion that a case is of such a nature that it can be decided without an oral hearing he may dispense with the hearing and decide the case summarily. However, the request for an oral hearing in this case will be considered by the appeals officer. The person concerned will be informed of the outcome at the earliest possible date.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a review of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and arising out of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries.
The inquiries were recently completed and his case has been submitted to an appeals officer for determination. An oral hearing of the case is being arranged and the person concerned will be notified of these arrangements as soon as possible. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
136.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will expedite an appeal in relation to unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
When the person concerned had drawn his maximum entitlement of 390 days unemployment benefit on 12 March 1986 he made a claim for unemployment assistance. Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim he was assessed with weekly means of £27.25, derived from the value of the benefit of board and lodgings on his parents holding. This assessment entitled him to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £6.55, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80, less means of £27.25.
He appealed against the means assessment and an appeals officer, on 2 May 1986, assessed him with means of £25. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £8.80, that is £33.80, less means of £25. All arrears due on his claim will be paid to him this week and further weekly payments of £8.80 will continue to be made as they become due.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will indicate the outcome of the social welfare appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim for social welfare payment which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information, as to the type of claim made, to enable the person concerned to be identified.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is not entitled to a non-contributory pension in her own right; and the reason that despite numerous representations, Deputy Gay Mitchell has not received a detailed reply concerning this matter.
Under the relevant legislation, the means of the person concerned must be taken to be half the weekly value of her husband's ESB pension. Her means arrived at in this way exceed the statutory limit of £48 a week for entitlement to old age pension. The person concerned appealed against the decision in her case but the original assessment was upheld on 14 March last by the appeals officer. She was notified of the result of this decision.
There was some delay due to an administrative error in having the papers forwarded to the appeals officer. Representations from the Deputy on behalf of the person concerned were replied to on 27 May 1985 and 10 October 1985 but there is no record of any subsequent representations. The delay in dealing with the case is regretted.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 is not entitled to a non-contributory pension despite the documentary evidence of financial circumstances which has been forwarded to her Department.
The person concerned received a considerable amount of money from the sale of a farm six years ago. Documentary evidence regarding the disposal of this capital has not been received to date. She was refused payment of an old age pension in April 1985 on the grounds that her means were not fully disclosed. When details of the disposal of the capital are received, her title will be reviewed and she will be notified of the outcome.