asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary had disability benefit discontinued of which she was in receipt for over three years despite the fact that her own medical doctor will not certify her fit for work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
74.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 17 September 1986 to 31 October 1986 after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance of benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 26 March 1987 who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Her appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of her claim as soon as possible.
75.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a children's allowance book will be returned to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned ceased to be entitled to child benefit when his only child reached 16 years of age in March 1987. An application for extended benefit in respect of this child was received on 9 April 1987. Child benefit has been awarded and a book at £15.05 payable from April 1987 has been issued to the post office of payment for collection by the claimant. A notification to this effect has also been issued to him.
76.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
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 12 February 1987 by a medical referee who did not then consider him to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination within a few months. Based on the result of the examination on 12 February 1987 a deciding officer decided that he was therefore not entitled to invalidity pension.
The person concerned appealed this decision and arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 28 May 1987. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.
77.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the correct amount of arrears of disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry with particular reference to the six weeks period 12 February 1987 to 21 March 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 19 June 1986. He was not initially qualified for payment, however, as according to the records of the Department at the time he had no reckonable contributions recorded for the 1984-85 contribution year which governed his claim.
The claimant indicated that he had been employed in Britain and his insurance record was requested from the British authorities. It was confirmed that he had sufficient contributions on his British record to qualify for benefit from 19 June 1986. Arrears of benefit payable to 12 February 1987, less the substantial amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced by the health board, were issued to him on 7 April 1987.
There was a delay caused by an administrative error in issuing payment for the period 12 February 1987 to 2 April 1987 and these arrears have now been paid to him. All disability benefit payable has now been issued to 7 May 1987, the date of the latest medical certificate received.