Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Nov 1988

Vol. 384 No. 8

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

142.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis on which a medical referee was able to determine a person (details supplied) in County Kildare as being fit for work when he previously had to retire from his job as a result of ill health; the reason for this decision, particularly since the only result will be a further cost on the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As indicated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 2 November 1988 on this case, the person concerned is not a claimant of the Department of Social Welfare. He had been in receipt of sickness benefit from the United Kingdom while resident in this country.

The UK social security authorities requested my Department, under reciprocal arrangements provided for by EC Social Security Regulations for Migrant Workers, for a medical opinion on the person concerned. The person was referred to a medical referee of the Department who having medically examined him, expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was then referred to a different medical referee of the Department who also expressed the same opinion. The relevant papers in the case were then returned to the UK authorities.

It is understood that the UK social security authorities disallowed the claim for sickness benefit and that the person concerned has lodged an appeal.

Medical referees are fully qualified and experienced doctors who form their professional opinion in an independent manner. Every effort is made to ensure that the interests of persons referred for medical referee examination are fully safeguarded. Their own certifiers are advised of the forthcoming examinations and invited to submit an appropriate medical report including references to any recent consultant examinations. Any such reports are taken into account by the examining medical referee. In addition it is open to a certifier to attend the examination if he or she so wishes. In arriving at his opinion the medical referee carries out a clinical examination and all medical referee reports are reviewed by the medical adviser.

If the needs of the person concerned in this case exceed his means, it is open to him to apply to his local community welfare officer for help under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

143.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 will have disability benefit restored.

The person concerned was considered by an appeals officer to be capable of work. She has continued to submit medical certificates and arrangements have been made to have her case referred to a medical referee of the Department. Her entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.

144.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 30 August 1988. Social welfare regulations provide that, where no contributions have been paid or credited for two consecutive years, a claimant does not qualify for payment of benefit or for the award of credited contributions. In order to requalify for credited contributions, a claimant would require to have at least 26 contributions paid at the appropriate rate since the last blank year.

The person concerned had no contributions paid or credited from the 1978-79 contribution year to the 1986-87 contribution year. Contributions paid since the 1986-87 contribution year have been at a modified rate and are not reckonable for disability benefit.

145.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will arrange for payments to be brought up to date.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 July 1988 and again from 23 August 1988. The case has been reviewed and all benefit payable less advances of supplementary welfare allowance has now been issued to 21 November 1988 the date of the latest medical certificate received.

There was a delay in issuing payment as medical certification appears to have been incomplete and it was necessary to verify the periods the person concerned had been absent from work.

Barr
Roinn