Vol. 397 No. 2
81 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that an old age pension application is processed in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if full entitlements will be granted since all the information sought has been supplied.
It was decided by a deciding officer on 13 March 1990 that the person concerned was entitled to an old age noncontributory pension of £6.10 per week from 6 October 1989 and free fuel allowance from 20 October 1989. This is the rate of pension appropriate to a married person with means of £50.48 per week. Means in this case were derived mainly from British retirement pensions held by the applicant and his spouse.
A book has issued to the person concerned, on 14 March 1990, paying pension and free fuel allowance from 5 January 1990. A payable order covering arrears from 6 October 1989 to 4 January 1990 will issue to him within ten days.
82 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 30 May 1989 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
She appealed the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee who also considered her capable of work. The matter was then referred to an appeals officer, who decided that the claimant was not incapable of work. Thus she was not entitled to the payment of disability benefit from 30 May 1989.
The claimant subsequently submitted additional medical evidence which was referred to the medical adviser for evaluation and then to the appeals officer. The appeals officer decided that it did not warrant a change in his decision. The claimant was notified of the decisions made at all stages of her appeal.
83 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for disability benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 25 October 1989 following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
She appealed the disallowance and was examined by a different medical referee in November 1989 who also considered her capable of work. The matter was referred to an appeals officer in January 1990 for determination. Following an examination of the papers in the case the appeals officer decided to hold an oral hearing in the case in order to allow the claimant an opportunity to present her case personally. No date has yet been fixed for the hearing but the person concerned will be advised of the time and place to attend when arrangements are completed.
84 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can retrospectively submit sickness certificates in order to qualify for disability benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
To qualify for disability benefit a person must satisfy certain minimum insurance conditions. Despite an extensive search within my Department it has not been possible to trace an insurance record in respect of the person concerned. If he has been insurably employed details should be supplied to my Department to enable further investigations to be made.
Credited contributions are not normally allowed in respect of retrospective medical certificates.
