Charles Flanagan
Ceist:35 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of a reduced rate non-contributory pension of £40.50 per week. This is the rate of pension appropriate to a married person with weekly means between £30.00 and £32.00.
He applied for a review in September and his case is being investigated. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:36 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the basis on which it is claimed by the medical referee that a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not permanently incapable of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A medical referee of my Department who examined the person concerned on 2 November 1990 expressed the opinion that, while the person concerned was incapable of work at present he was not permanently incapable. This opinion was arrived at by the referee following his examination of the client and after reviewing the medical papers from previous medical referee examinations and the opinion expressed by the client's general practitioner. In cases where clients are called to medical referee examinations the client's general practitioner is invited to submit medical evidence in support of the client.
The person concerned indicated to the medical referee at the last examination that he was due to have further medical tests shortly. If he considers that the results of these tests have a material effect on this claim he may submit them to the Department and his case will be reviewed. He may also make them available at a further examination by a medical referee which will be arranged.