Vol. 412 No. 2
83 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will have his rate of old age non-contributory pension payments increased; if so, when; and the rate at which payment will be made in view of the fact that the social welfare officer has completed the processing of same.
Following an examination of his circumstances it was decided in June 1991 to increase the old age non-contributory pension of the person concerned from £11 to £23 per week with effect from 3 May 1991. This rate consists of a basic entitlement of £19 and an over 80 age allowance of £4.
In July, the person concerned appealed this decision. Before determining the appeal, the independent social welfare appeals office requested the social welfare officer to clarify certain points about the appellant's circumstances, in particular whether the person concerned was deriving benefit from a holding which he transferred to his daughter in November 1989.
Inquiries have only recently been completed in this matter and the case has been returned to the social welfare appeals office to have the appeal decided. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as quickly as possible.
84 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is receiving his correct rate of unemployment benefit; and if he is eligible for pay-related benefit.
The person concerned is not entitled to an increase in respect of his wife, because she is currently in receipt of unemployment benefit. He is entitled to receive half the increase for his dependent child. His wife is being paid the remaining half of the child increase in this case. The person concerned is also receiving pay-related benefit since 9 September 1991.
The rate of payment due in this case comprises £50 personal rate, £6 half the child dependent increase and £8 pay-related benefit — a total of £64.
85 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date upon which an appeal against the refusal of disability benefit dated 31 March 1978 by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was received in his Department; the result of the appeal; the date upon which the decision was communicated to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 22 April 1977 to 29 August 1977 and from 8 September 1977 to 4 March 1978. She was examined by a medical referee on 14 February 1978 who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Her claim was disallowed and there is no record of an appeal against this disallowance. She claimed unemployment benefit from 6 March 1978 to September 1978.
In April 1991 her husband made a claim for carer's allowance in respect of her. This claim was not allowed as she was not in receipt of benefit or pension from the Department. She was advised to claim disabled person's maintenance allowance.
86 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) has not been paid unemployment assistance as he has been signing on for some considerable time.
Following investigation, the unemployment assistance of the person concerned was disallowed from 2 August 1991 on the grounds that he failed to disclose full details of his means. In particular he failed to provide the social welfare officer with details of the household income.
He has changed his address since his initial claim and made a further claim on 30 September 1991. The social welfare officer has arranged an interview with him for 7 November 1991.
