asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 was refused a rent allowance; and the outcome of the application for an appeal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
133.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which administers the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in the Dublin area, that a rent supplement under the scheme has been in payment to the person concerned for over two years.
In the course of a recent review of her case she was advised to seek alternative accommodation by applying to Dublin Corporation for inclusion in the housing list but the supplement has continued to be paid.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will reinvestigate the unemployment assistance claim of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny where an appeal has been lodged; and if she will arrange to have the maximum rate of unemployment assistance paid.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the ground that his means, derived from the profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance on 26 May 1986 and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal his papers have been referred to a 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. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to have disability benefit restored as soon as possible to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of his medical condition.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 28 April 1986, 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 and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee as soon as possible. His entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
136.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will not qualify for unemployment benefit.
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 year.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 18 February 1985. His claim was disallowed on the grounds that he had insufficient contributions paid or credited during the contribution year 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed his entitlement to unemployment benefit from 18 February 1985.
On 6 January 1986 a new benefit year commenced with a governing contribution year of 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985. The person concerned produced a form P45 which showed that he had 37 class A1 contributions in that period. These contributions would normally have given him entitlement for unemployment benefit but in view of the nature of his previous employment inquiries had to be made to establish whether this employment should have been insurable at a class which provides cover against unemployment.
These inquiries, which have proved extensive, will be completed as soon as possible and his entitlement to unemployment benefit will then be determined in the light of the outcome of the inquiries.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 13 November 1985 and was paid at the weekly rate of £20.85, that is £67.05 less weekly means of £46.20, derived from his wife's earnings. However, it recently came to light that he was being incorrectly paid at the rate appropriate to a long duration claimant. The correct weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case is £16.75, that is the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £62.95 less means of £46.20.
The error, which is regretted, has since been corrected and weekly payments of £16.75 will continue pending the outcome of the inquiries on his unemployment benefit entitlement.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons (details supplied) in County Kerry are currently in receipt of a reduced pension, as they were in receipt of £45 extra when she was receiving unemployment assistance.
Under existing provisions an old age contributory pensioner is entitled to receive an adult dependant's allowance in respect of his wife while she is in receipt of a short term benefit payment such as disability benefit from the Department. However, the adult dependant's allowance is not payable in a case where the pensioners wife is in receipt of a long term pension payment under the Social Welfare Acts.
In this case the husband qualified for an old age contributory pension from 1 June 1979 at a rate which included an allowance in respect of his wife. She was then in receipt of disability benefit and this continued to be paid to her until she reached age 66 years when it ceased to be payable. She then qualified for an old age contributory pension in her own right at a rate of £49.05 per week. The adult dependant's allowance ceased to be payable to her husband and his weekly rate of pension was revised from £84.20 to £51.40 per week.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Galway is in receipt of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance.
Following reinvestigation, 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 appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal his papers were referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
These inquiries were completed recently 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 the arrangements as soon as possible. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 April 1986. Payment at the weekly rate of £39.50 the maximum rate appropriate to a single person has been issued to 28 May 1986 the date of the latest medical certificate received. She was also paid pay-related benefit at the weekly rate of £19.58 from 30 April 1986. All benefit payable in respect of her claim has been issued to her.
140.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the refusal to pay disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 4 October 1983.
She is not qualified for benefit as regulations provide that where a claimant has no contributions paid or credited for any two consecutive contribution years preceeding her claim, she cannot qualify for payment of disability benefit, or the award of credited contributions in respect of periods of incapacity for work, until she has a further 26 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned had no contributions paid or credited in the years 1977-78 and 1978-79 and has not had 26 weeks of insurable employment since that time.
If her means are insufficient to meet her needs she may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance and in this regard she should contact her local community welfare officer.
141.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare 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 contribution year governing the claim. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 26 March 1986 and according to the Department's records he had only 25 contributions paid in the contribution year 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985, which governed his entitlement to benefit from 26 March 1986. Accordingly, his claim for unemployment benefit was disallowed.
He then claimed unemployment assistance and his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. This investigation will be completed as soon as possible and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome of the investigation.