Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Schemes.

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

334 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have arrangements made for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who suffers from severe arthritis in the hips and knees thus making it impossible for her to travel by bus without assistance and who is in receipt of disability benefit which necessitates her having to travel to Sallynoggin from Ballybrack in County Dublin each week for a medical certificate to be given permission to send in monthly rather than weekly certificates.

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

335 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have arrangements made for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who has been on disability benefit since 1987 and who has severe arthritis in the hip and knees to be transferred to invalidity pension.

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. McCreevy)

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together.

The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 28 April 1987 to date.

She was examined by a medical referee of the Department on 28 January 1992, who expressed the opinion that she was incapable of work and recommended that she should be referred for a further examination on 28 July 1992. As a result, she has been advised that disability benefit cheques will be issued to her weekly on receipt of monthly medical certification.

Invalidity pension is payable to persons who, inter alia, are regarded as being permanently incapable of work. Arrangements are now being made to have the person concerned examined again by a medical referee of the Department to see is she satisfies this medical condition. While there is no record of an application for invalidity pension, her entitlement to this pension will now be considered in the light of the results of this examination.