M. J. Nolan
Ceist:101 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the unemployment assistance claim of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned made his latest claim for unemployment assistance on 1 March 1990. The social welfare officer is in correspondence with the claimant's solicitors before interviewing the claimant to determine his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be decided without delay once the necessary inquiries are completed.
Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:102 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made regarding the application for a non-contributory old age pension of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned applied for old age non-contributory pension on 19 October 1989. His claim was investigated by a social welfare officer who requested details of his means and other circumstances including the disposal of money to family members, bank account statements and certain details of income and expenditure in connection with his holding. The information requested was not provided in full on the occasion of the officer's visit nor in response to two subsequent letters.
A deciding officer considered that the applicant failed to give a comprehensive and satisfactory explanation of his means. In the circumstances his application for pension was rejected by the deciding officer on the grounds that he failed to show that his means did not exceed that statutory means limit.
A letter will issue shortly to the person concerned advising him of the outstanding information required in order that his claim to pension may be reviewed. In addition, the social welfare officer will visit him again to explain the requirements and to give whatever assistance is possible in gathering the necessary information.
Patrick McCartan
Ceist:103 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in response to an application from the Darndale/Belcamp Unemployment Action Group for funding as a voluntary organisation; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An application under the scheme of grants to voluntary bodies in the social services area has been received from the organisation concerned. The application is at present being processed and as soon as a decision is made the organisation concerned will be notified.
Patrick McCartan
Ceist:104 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the purpose of the requirement of recipients of social welfare to inform the local employment exchange/office if he/she is absent from the State for any period; if there is a limit on the period of time of absence; if this requirement applies to Northern Ireland; if any change will be introduced in relation to Northern Ireland, in light of the Supreme Court ruling in the McGimpsey case; and if the requirement applies to visits to other EC countries.
The purpose of such notifications arises from changes which I introduced in July 1988 to facilitate persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance who are temporarily absent from the State usually on holidays. I provided a similar facility for those who represent Ireland in an amateur sporting capacity at an international event held abroad. In the case of those holidaying abroad a limit of two weeks in any calendar year applies. Absence from the State is construed as including periods in Northern Ireland and there is no differentiation between EC member states and other countries.
This improvement extended to persons holidaying abroad existing arrangements which previously only applied to persons holidaying within the State. A two week limit applies also in these cases and the local office must be notified. There are no proposals for further changes in these holiday arrangements.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:105 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the Class J PRSI contributions paid in respect of participants in social employment schemes will be reckonable when calculating contributions and credits for contributory old age pensions.
Class J PRSI contributions are payable in respect of participants in social employment schemes and this provides cover for occupational injuries benefit.
Participants in such schemes are credited with contributions which are reckonable for the average test condition for old age contributory pension purposes where the preceding insurable employment was at the class A rate of contribution.
Michael Bell
Ceist:106 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a grant available to the Redeemer Women's Group, Dundalk, County Louth, under the grants for locally based women's groups 1990; the amount of the grant; the method of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An application under the scheme of grants for locally based women's groups has been received from the organisation concerned. The application is at present being processed and as soon as a decision is made the organisation concerned will be notified.
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:107 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Welfare when (i) a living alone allowance and (ii) arrears of a free fuel allowance for March and April 1990 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and when a free travel pass will be granted to her.
The person concerned has been granted a living alone allowance with effect from 9 March 1990. An allowance order book is being prepared and will be available at the designated post office shortly. She will be advised when the book can be collected.
Her application for a free fuel allowance has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. She appears to be in receipt of an occupational pension which may bring her income above the qualifying limit for free fuel purposes. On receipt of the officer's report an early decision will be given in the case.
The records of my Department show that a free travel pass was issued to the person concerned on her 66th birthday, in April 1988. There is no record of any correspondence from her regarding her free travel entitlement since that date.
Liam Hyland
Ceist:108 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a decision on the old age pension appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned applied for old age non-contributory pension in mid-November 1989.
His claim has been investigated by a social welfare officer who requested details of his means and other circumstances, including information on proceeds from the sale of property. A deciding officer considered that the applicant failed to give comprehensive and satisfactory details of his means. In the circumstances his application for pension has been rejected by a deciding officer on the grounds that means were not fully disclosed.
Following representations appeal forms were issued on 4 May to the person concerned for completion. To date, these forms have not been returned.
When the grounds of appeal are put to my Department the case of the person concerned will be referred to an appeals officer for determination.