asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in having a decision made on the unemployment assistance claim of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny where an appeal has been lodged as his unemployment assistance was reduced by £10.25 per week.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
117.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed with means of £10.75 derived from the value of board and lodging in his parents' home. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer, on 10 February 1988, assessed him with means of £8.40 weekly with effect from 28 May 1987. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £25.60 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £34 less means of £8.40.
The delay in this case, which was due to a clerical error, is regretted. All arrears due to the person concerned will be paid this week and weekly payments of £25.60 will continue to be made as they become due.
118.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the facts in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 he will now restore full disability benefit to the person concerned.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 18 July 1986. Payment was issued to 2 January 1988 at the maximum rate appropriate to a single claimant.
From 4 January 1988 her claim was governed by the 1986-87 contribution year. Because of an administrative error the number of contributions recorded on her behalf was shown as 37 which resulted in payment being issued at a reduced rate.
The record should have shown 49 contributions which entitle her to payment at the maximum rate. The records have now been adjusted and all arrears payable have been issued to her.
119.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16 is considered for pay-related benefit in the 1985-1986 tax year, although benefit only commenced on 4 January 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 16 November 1987. He did not qualify for benefit at that time as he had less than the required minimum of 39 contributions paid or credited in the 1985-86 year which governed his claim from that date. He was however awarded credited contributions on foot of his weeks of incapacity which will reckon towards future entitlements.
From 4 January 1988, his entitlement to disability benefit depended on his insurance record for the 1986-87 year. The person concerned qualified for payment at that point as he had 50 contributions recorded for the 1986-87 year. Disability benefit is now issuing at the weekly rate of £90.20, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with two dependent children.
Although entitlement to flat rate disability benefit can be affected by different contribution years at different stages of a claim, entitlement to pay related benefit remains dependent on the last complete income tax year before the beginning of the pay-related benefit year in which the first day of incapacity for work occurs. This insured person's entitlement to pay related benefit is therefore dependent on his reckonable earnings during 1985-86. He does not qualify for payment as he has insufficient earnings in that tax year.
All disability benefit currently payable has been issued to 8 February 1988, the date of the latest medical certificate received.