asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the failure to award an invalidity pension to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick despite the submission of very compelling medical evidence; and if he will reconsider the case.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
82.
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 26 November 1987 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination in nine months. In the interim, in March 1988, the person concerned indicated that he wished to be transferred from disability benefit to invalidity pension. In view of the finding on 26 November a deciding officer decided that he was not entitled to invalidity pension at that time.
As the person concerned was dissatisfied with that decision arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee on week ending 1 July 1988. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be further considered in the light of the report of this examination and if the outcome of the examination is the same as the first one then the person concerned will be invited to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination.
83.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will now finalise an application for unemployment benefit submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 39 contributions paid or credited at the appropriate rate in the governing contribution year.
The person concerned is employed as a temporary nurse. Doubt arose as to whether contributions paid on her behalf during the contribution year 6 April 1985 to 5 April 1986, which governed her claim of 17 November 1987, were correctly paid.
Clarification of the claimant's contribution record was delayed due to administrative difficulties on the part of her employer and details of the claimant's contribution record were not forwarded to the Social Welfare officer until last week. When these details have been checked and the correct contribution class payable for each week of employment for the period since 1985, established, her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined.
84.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an appeal for invalidity pension made by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 30 March 1987. He was examined on 19 May 1988 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination in six months. A deciding officer decided that he was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension.
As the person concerned was dissatisfied with this decision arrangements are now being made to have him examined by a different medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.