asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the invalidity pension of a person (details supplied) in County Meath has been reduced and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
57.
The current rate of invalidity pension in payment to the person concerned is £77.70 per week, that is, the rate appropriate to a married man who has no qualified child dependants.
A qualified child is a child under the age of 18 years who is normally residing with the pensioner. The youngest son of the person concerned attained that age on 13 July 1985 and an increase in invalidity pension was no longer payable in respect of him after 18 July 1985, that is the Thursday following his 18th birthday, when he ceased to be a qualified child for invalidity pension purposes.
However, the person concerned continued to be paid for this child to 1 October 1986. This has resulted in an overpayment of £666.19. This overpayment will be recovered by deducting £3 per week from his pension. The person concerned has been informed of the position and has been asked to return his pension book for adjustment.
58.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit cheques have not been paid for some weeks to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; the reason for a reduction from £41.10 to £32.50; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 November 1986. Benefit was authorised from 27 November 1986, the fourth day of incapacity at the weekly rate of £41.10.
The claimant submitted a final certificate indicating that she would be fit to return to work on Monday 16 February 1987, the date on which she was examined. The claimant could not be paid for the date on which she returned to work or for Sunday 15 February 1987. She was paid to Saturday, 14 February 1987 on the final certificate, for a period of five days, payment for which amounted to £34.25. All benefit payable in respect of her claim was issued to 14 February 1987, after which date she was certified fit to, return to work.
59.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Louth.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 January 1987.
One of the conditions for payments of that benefit is that at least 26 contributions must be paid or credited on a claimant's behalf in the contributions year governing the claim.
The person concerned is not entitled to payment of disability benefit because according to the records of the Department she has only a total of 21 credited contributions recorded for the 1985-86 contribution year which governs her claim.
However, if the claimant remains incapable of work she should continue to submit medical certificates to the Department so that credited contributions can be awarded. These credited contributions while not entitling her to payment preserve the continuity of the contribution record for the duration of the illness.
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the application for an invalidity pension of a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be approved.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
Arrangements are being made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee on 16 April 1987. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.