asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any proposals to extend or alter the free travel pass scheme whereby elderly widows will be allowed to travel with a companion as in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
61.
Under the free travel scheme the right to free travel belongs to the person who satisfies the qualifying conditions. In the case of married couples, however, the scheme allows the spouse of the qualified person to travel free with them. Extension of the scheme to enable persons other than spouses to travel with the qualified person would have cost implications. There are no proposals at present for such an extension.
62.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will finalise the sick benefit claim of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been fully insured since 1957; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 11 April 1988 to 16 April 1988, the day before he was certified to resume work. Payment was not authorised as according to the available records he had not the minimum of 39 contributions paid or credited in 1986-87, the contribution year governing his claim.
The person concerned submitted a statement of earnings for 1986/87, which showed 43 paid contributions. The necessary inquiries to confirm this level of contributions have been completed and the person concerned is qualified for benefit at the maximum rate appropriate to a married man.
All benefit due was issued on 14 June 1988.
63.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is in receipt of long term disability benefit has not received two payments; when a payment of same will issue; and the reason payments are so irregular.
The person concerned is in receipt of disability benefit whereby payment is issued weekly on receipt of monthly medical evidence. Payment was suspended on 14 May 1988 as no medical certificate had been received from the person concerned since 15 March 1988. A certificate for May 1988 has now been received and all payment due to 18 June 1988 was issued on 15 June 1988.
Disability benefit cheques can only issue when the appropriate medical evidence is received in the Department and any delay or irregularity in the submission or delivery of medical certificates inevitably delays the issue of payment.