Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1990

Vol. 396 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

42 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if PRSI contributions paid by farmers and self-employed persons will be refunded when contributors reach 66 years of age, in circumstances where their total insurance record would not be sufficient to make them eligible for an old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

One of the qualifying conditions for entitlement to contributory old age pension for the self-employed, which is payable at age 66, is that the person must have entered insurable employment before reaching age 56. Farmers and other self-employed persons who were aged 56 or over on entering insurable self-employment for the first time and who as a result cannot qualify for a contributory old age pension, are entitled to a refund of the old age pension element of the contribution, provided that they are not eligible for the award of a noncontributory old age pension. The old age pension element of the contribution represents approximately 50 per cent of the total contribution.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

43 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is satisfied with the present methods of examining and deciding on eligibility of applicants for a free telephone rental allowance who are residing with other persons; if he will give details of the procedures involved; if he will outline the changes he proposes to make in the procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

In order to qualify for a free telephone rental allowance a person must be in receipt of one of a number of specified payments and reside either entirely alone or only with persons who come within certain excepted categories. These excepted categories are: children under the age of 15; or people who are so permanently incapacitated that they could not summon help in an emergency.

A pensioner residing with a person aged over 66 in respect of whom an adult dependant allowance is payable, may qualify for free telephone rental allowance where either the pensioner or adult dependant is so permanently incapacitated that they could not summon help in an emergency.

The procedures for examining and deciding on the eligibility of applicants for a free telephone rental allowance where the applicant is residing with other persons are as follows: (a) confirmation is required of the date of birth of all persons residing in the household and this procedure determines the eligibility or otherwise of any household member on age grounds; and (b) medical evidence is required from a registered medical doctor in respect of any household member aged over 15 so as to confirm their inability to summon help in an emergency.

This medical evidence is generally referred to the Department's medical adviser for his opinion. When the medical adviser has given his opinion a decision is then made on the claim for free telephone rental.

Many of the applications are referred to social welfare officers for investigation. I am having the procedures in these cases examined with a view to speeding up the decision process. The operation of the scheme is kept under continuous review and modifications and improvements made as required.