asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused a single woman's allowance, on the grounds that she has not shown she had reached the age of 58 years even though her birth certificate, indicating that she was born on 20 September 1926 was included with her application.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
52.
The claim of the person concerned for single woman's allowance was disallowed in September 1984 as she failed to show that she had reached 58 years of age, that is the minimum age at which the allowance is payable.
The deciding officer was not satisfied with the evidence of age provided because the date of birth shown on the birth certificate submitted was not sufficiently clear. Several requests for a new certificate were made but the claimant refused to supply another certificate and indicated that she did not wish to pursue her claim further.
She made a further claim in June 1985 and this claim was disallowed on the grounds that her means, derived from earnings, exceeded the statutory limit. She appealed against the disallowance but an appeals officer also decided that her means exceeded the statutory limit. There was no dispute as regards her age in conjunction with this claim as it had been accepted that she had reached 58 years of age.
She recently requested a review of her case and her papers were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. When the investigations are completed her entitlement to single woman's allowance will be determined as quickly as possible. The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment benefit at the weekly rate of £39.50.
53.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking employment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 24 January 1986 and on the basis of the information available, her claim was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for and genuinely seeking work. She was notified of this decision and of her right to appeal on 22 April 1986.
A form to enable her to appeal against the deciding officer's decision was issued to her on 19 May 1986. When the completed form is returned her case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest possible opportunity.
54.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of small farmers unemployment assistance will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who applied some time ago, as he is a single man with only a very small holding.
Following investigation 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 maximum rate payable in his case. He appealed against the disallowance on 22 April 1986 and arising from contentions raised in support of his appeal his case was again 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 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.
55.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare is she will arrange to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 8 March 1986 to date. Payment of benefit has not been authorised however, as according to the available records he has not the required minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1984-85, the contribution year governing his claim. He has 19 contributions recorded in this year.
The claimant has indicated that he was employed in Britain for the period from 20 August 1984 to 8 January 1985, and his insurance record has been requested from the British authorities. When this information comes to hand his entitlement to disability benefit will be reviewed.
56.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an unmarried mother's allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned has been asked to submit the long version of her child's birth certificate and a copy of her P45 certificate. As soon as these are received a decision will be given on her claim without delay.