Frank Crowley
Ceist:123 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a decision has been made regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has made a supplementary welfare claim.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on 5 April 1989 on the basis that by failing to supply full details of his means he had failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit for receipt of a qualification certificate.
He appealed against the disallowance and an appeals officer also decided that he had failed to disclose full details of his means. He made a new claim for unemployment assistance on 22 December 1989 from a new address. The investigating officer has experienced difficulty in contacting the claimant in relation to the current claim. This is delaying the investigation and decision procedures.
He has been in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance at the maximum rate since April 1989, the date his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed.
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:124 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a free fuel allowance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if a rebate in respect of the loss of his allowance from 10 November 1989 to date will be paid.
The free fuel allowance of the person concerned was suspended on 3 November 1989 when he transferred from invalidity pension to old age contributory pension.
An application form for free fuel allowance was issued to the person concerned. On receipt of the completed form the case will be investigated and entitlement to free fuel allowance will be reviewed. In the interim the allowance is being restored on a provisional basis with effect from the date of the suspension.
Michael Lowry
Ceist:125 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for a free fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
The person concerned applied for free ful allowance on 12 January 1990. The case is at present under consideration. A decision will be made as soon as possible and the person concerned notified of the outcome.
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:126 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare the agreements which exist between Ireland and Jersey for Irish people to avail of social welfare benefits; and if he intends to establish reciprocal arrangements, comparable to those existing between ourselves and our European partners.
Negotiations are currently taking place between my Department and the United Kingdom Department of Social Security for a new reciprocal agreement on social security which will cover Irish people resident in the Channel Islands, including Jersey. The new agreement will be broadly similar to the arrangements which apply with other EC member states under EC Regulations.
It is hoped to finalise the negotiations this year and to have the new agreement in operation early in 1991.
Gerry O'Sullivan
Ceist:127 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to amend the free travel regulation, in order to enable recipients of invalidity pensions to nominate a person, other than a spouse, to accompany them when travelling.
The free travel scheme applies to persons aged 66 and over, blind persons aged 18 and over and to persons receiving social welfare type payments as permanently incapacitated persons. The scheme enables persons who come within these categories and their spouses, when accompanying them, to travel free.
I am conscious of the fact that the scheme cannot be used by some people because their disability prevents them from travelling alone. The representations in this regard which have been made to me singled out severely physically and mentally handicapped recipients of disabled person's maintenance allowance. The Government have now decided to extend the free travel scheme to enable a companion to travel with a recipient of disabled person's maintenance allowance. This was announced in the budget last week. Detailed arrangements under which this extension will operate are currently being prepared.
In the light of the operation of the new arrangements the question of extending this facility to other categories of recipients could then be considered.
Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:128 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the application was made in September 1989.
The person concerned has been awarded a living alone allowance with effect from 22 September 1989, the Friday following her 66th birthday.
An allowance book containing orders payable from 19 January 1990 will issue to her this week. A payable order covering arrears due from 22 September 1989 will issue within three weeks.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:129 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is living alone, will be awarded a living alone allowance; and, if so, when the allowance will be paid.
The person concerned is due to be interviewed shortly in connection with her application for the living alone allowance.
On completion of the necessary investigations her case will be referred for decision and she will be notified of the outcome.