asked the Minister for Social Welfare if PRSI social welfare payments have been returned in full for the period December 1984 to July 1987 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; if not, the steps, if any, which have been taken by his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
66.
According to the records of the Department, no PRSI contributions have been paid on behalf of the person concerned in respect of the period December 1984 to July 1987.
However, following an inspection of the employer's records by an officer of the Department on 13 October 1987, arrears of PRSI contributions in respect of the period 4 December 1984 to 10 July 1987 were established. These arrears have been reported to the Collector General's Office of the Revenue Commissioners for necessary collection action.
In the meantime, credited contributions have been allotted to the record of the person concerned. Unemployment benefit has been paid to her and a claim for dental benefit was approved on 18 November 1987.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when sick benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been off work since 13 November 1987 and who has furnished the necessary medical certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned submitted medical evidence of incapacity to the Department on 11 December 1987 in respect of an illness which began on 14 November 1987.
The regulations provide that a person who, without good cause, fails to give notice of incapacity or to submit medical evidence within seven days of the commencement of incapacity is disqualified from receiving disability benefit in respect of any period more than seven days before the date on which such notice or medical evidence is received.
If the person concerned can furnish good cause for not submitting medical evidence in time, her entitlement from the beginning of her illness will be reconsidered. Accordingly her claim has been authorised for payment from 4 December 1987 at the weekly rate of £71.80 which includes a weekly personal rate of £42.30 in respect of herself and child dependant allowances in respect of three children amounting to £29.50 a week.
She has also made a claim for an increase in benefit in respect of her niece, and an inspector of the Department has been requested to visit her to determine if she is wholly or mainly supporting the child. Upon receipt of the inspector's report her claim in respect of her niece will be reviewed.
The person concerned has also been in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance since 18 November 1987 and an overpayment of this allowance has occurred for the period from 4 December 1987 to 12 December 1987. A cheque for £57.10 was issued to the person concerned for the period from 4 December 1987 to 10 December 1987, on 15 December 1987 and a further cheque for £14.70 will issue today in accordance with the latest medical evidence received.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the Revenue Commissioners have completed their investigation into a firm (details supplied) in Lucan, County Dublin, in order to determine the entitlements to social welfare payments including pay-related benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement as to when this person can claim her entitlements.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 2 July 1987.
Initially, it appeared that the claimant was not entitled to benefit at the commencement of her claim as according to the available records she had less than the minimum of 39 contributions paid or credited in the year 1985-86, the contribution year governing her claim.
However, following further inquiries into the claimant's employment record, it transpired she had sufficient contributions paid and credited in the year 1985-86 to qualify for benefit at the maximum rate appropriate to a married woman whose spouse is employed.
Her claim was allowed and an adjustment cheque was issued on 11 August 1987. All benefit, including pay-related benefit, payable to 10 December 1987, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued to her.