asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be granted an oral hearing of his appeal against disqualification for disability benefit.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
57.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 30 May 1987 after which date payment was disallowed following 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 20 August 1987 who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
His case has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing on his appeal. He will be advised of the arrangements for the appeal in due course.
58.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people receiving social welfare payments who are in receipt of (a) a living alone allowance (b) a free telephone rental allowance (c) a free television licence and (d) a free electricity allowance; if he will also give the figures for those receiving the foregoing allowances who are not actually living alone; and if he would outline the circumstances under which these allowances can be paid to persons not actually living alone.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
Social Welfare Recipients in receipt of Additional Allowances at end of June 1987
|
Recipients |
|
|
1. Living Alone Allowance |
74,500 |
|
2. Free Telephone Rental Allowance |
55,387 |
|
3. Free Television Licence |
126,444 |
|
4. Free Electricity Allowance |
172,367 |
No information is available on the number of recipients of free telephone rental allowance, free television licence or free electricity allowance who do not live alone.
In order to qualify for the living alone allowance the recipient must be living entirely alone. In the case of the free telephone rental allowance, the recipient must be living alone or with an incapacitated person or persons who would be unable to obtain aid in an emergency, or with a child under age 15.
In the case of the free electricity allowance and the free television licence scheme, the recipient must be living alone or with a dependent spouse, a qualified child or another recipient of one of the specified payments. Invalid pensioners or pensioners who require constant care and attention may also have one other person residing with them for that purpose.
59.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare in respect of each category of social assistance, social insurance and occupational injuries insurance payments, the number of claimants who are living alone.
The information the Deputy requires is as follows:
Number of Living Alone Allowances being paid to recipients of Social Welfare payments at 30 June 1987.
|
Scheme |
Number of Allowances |
|
Old Age Contributory Pension |
18,564 |
|
Old Age Non-Contributory Pension |
24,070 |
|
Retirement Pension |
6,807 |
|
Widows (Contributory) Pension |
20,997 |
|
Widows (Non-Contributory) Pension |
3,839 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
45 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
62 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
62 |
|
Death Benefit Pensions |
54 |
|
Total |
74,500 |
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if payment of a child benefit can now be authorised for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin on his application for sick benefit for various dates in 1987, having regard to the fact that he is fully responsible and does maintain his son; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit in respect of a claim from 21 September 1987 to 3 October 1987 at the weekly rate of £42.30, the maximum rate appropriate to a single man. He also claimed an increase in benefit for a child dependant but due to uncertainty about the composition of the claimant's household, inquiries were necessary to establish the question of his entitlement to an increase for the child.
The Department is now satisfied that the person concerned is qualified for an increase in respect of the child and an appropriate adjustment cheque has been issued to him. He was paid the increase at half the normal rate as the child's mother had also been paid an increase for the child at the half rate during the period in question. Further inquiries are necessary in regard to an earlier claim period, from 17 August 1987 to 29 August 1987, and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
61.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, having regard to the alleged overpayment made to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin, the amounts due can be paid by way of a deduction of £10 per week from his allowance having regard to the financial need of the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The overpayment in question arose as a result of incorrect information supplied on a form completed by the person concerned. Arrangements are now being made to reduce the rate of recovery from £20 to £10 a week. The Department has written in this regard to the person concerned.