Vol. 399 No. 10
108 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the entitlement to benefits, available under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, of persons engaged on projects and courses sponsored by FÁS; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Subject to certain specific statutory exclusions, every person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet his needs and the needs of his dependants is entitled to assistance under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme.
The legislation provides for payment of a basic allowance and supplements in respect of special needs, e.g., rent or mortgage interest above a certain level and special heating or dietary needs. The maximum basic allowance, plus a supplement, where appropriate, is payable to a person with no means. Where a claimant has means, the maximum basic allowance is reduced by the amount of his means. There is also provision for once-off payments in respect of exceptional needs.
109 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age non-contributory pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The person concerned, who will be 66 years on 7 September 1990, applied for old age non-contributory pension on 23 May 1990.
Her claim is with the social welfare officer awaiting investigation of her means.
110 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
On 20 March 1990 a claim to disability benefit from 5 March 1990 was received from the person concerned. A query relating to some claim details was sent to the client on 9 April. A reply, together with medical certificate stating the client was fit to resume work on 13 March 1990, was received on 1 May 1990. Full payment in respect of the period from 8 March to 12 March 1990, inclusive, was made on 10 May 1990.
111 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the outcome of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to have unemployment assistance paid.
Following investigation the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 29 November 1989 by decision of a deciding officer on the grounds that he failed to show that his yearly means did not exceed the statutory limit.
He appealed against the decision and on 11 May 1990, an appeals officer also disallowed his claim on the same grounds.
He made a further claim for unemployment assistance on 5 June 1990 and his case has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. On completion of the investigation, his case will be referred as soon as possible to a deciding officer for decision and he will be informed of the outcome.
