John Ellis
Ceist:98 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will be called for an oral hearing in connection with her disability benefit appeal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Payment of benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 18 September 1989 following an examination by a medical referee who considered the claimant to be capable of work. She expressed dissatisfaction with this decision and was examined again on 26 October 1989 by a different medical referee who also considered that she was capable of work.
The claimant appealed the disallowance of benefit and her case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The case has been listed for oral hearing, but no date has yet been set. She will be advised of the time and place to attend when arrangements have been completed.
John Ellis
Ceist:99 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit on 5 February 1990. However, no payment could issue on this claim as my Department's records showed that he had insufficient reckonable contributions in the 1988-89 year. On 26 February 1990, he forwarded a form P.60 certifying that he had paid 52 reckonable contributions for that year. This has now enabled him to be awarded disability benefit at the rate of £95.80 per week, which is the rate appropriate to a person with an adult dependant and two child dependants.
A cheque for £159.70 has issued to him, covering all benefit due up to 19 February 1990, the date of latest medical certificate.
John O'Donoghue
Ceist:100 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the decision to refuse disability in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Payment of benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 3 November 1989 following an examination by a medical referee who considered the claimant to be capable of work. The claimant expressed dissatisfaction with this decision and was further examined on 11 January 1990 by a different medical referee, who also considered her to be capable of work.
The claimant appealed the disallowance of benefit and submitted further medical evidence in support of her appeal. This evidence has been examined by the medical adviser and he has indicated that it does not warrant a change in the findings of the medical referees.
The matter will now be referred to an appeals officer for determination. Should an oral hearing be deemed necessary the claimant will be advised of the time and place to attend when arrangements have been completed.