Vol. 508 No. 1
637 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be returned his disability allowance in view of the fact that he has been discharged from hospital. [17492/99]
701 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a disability allowance appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was disallowed based on incorrect information in view of the fact he had been discharged from the institution for many months at the time of the decision; and if the appeal will be re-opened and disability allowance restored to him with arrears. [18396/99]
It is proposed to take Question No 637 and 701 together.
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 29 April 1999. At the time of his application he was in full-time institutional care and his claim was accordingly refused. He appealed to the social welfare appeals office in July 1999 and his appeal was subsequently disallowed by an appeals officer on the grounds that he was resident in full-time institutional care.
The Department has had no indication that the person concerned has been discharged from institutional care. The person's entitlement will be reviewed on receipt of documentary evidence relating to his discharge. The Department will be in contact with the person concerned in this regard.
638 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the outcome of the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to his entitlement to an old age contributory pension. [17493/99]
The person concerned was disallowed on his application for an old age contributory pension on the basis that he did not begin paying PRSI until after he reached 58 years of age. The qualifying conditions for the pension require that a claimant has entered insurable employment before the age of 56. He has appealed this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office. He will be notified as soon as his appeal is determined by an appeals officer.
639 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if persons (details supplied) in County Mayo are receiving their full entitlements. [17494/99]
One of the persons concerned is receiving disability allowance at a weekly rate of £32.35 and the other is receiving unemployment assistance at a weekly rate of £23.60. The entitlement in each case has been calculated at half the married rate of the appropriate payment less the means assessable under the relevant legislation. These are the correct rates having regard to their means deriving from a social security pension from the UK and from casual employment.
Free telephone rental allowance, free electricity allowance and free travel, including a companion pass, have been granted to the couple. An application form for free fuel is being forwarded so that their potential entitlement to free fuel allowance can be examined.
With the exception of their possible entitlement to a fuel allowance, both persons are receiving their full entitlement from the Department.
640 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has had his disability benefit withdrawn. [17495/99]
Under the legislation applicable prior to 1 August 1999, a person receiving disability allowance who entered institutional care for the purposes of undergoing medical or other treatment, continued to be entitled to payment for a period of 13 consecutive weeks.
The person concerned entered hospital on 22 April 1999. The disability allowance which he was receiving continued to be paid under these arrangements for the 13 weeks up to 22 July 1999. Payment then ceased as he was still in hospital. Payment was reinstated when he left hospital on 8 September 1999.
641 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the arrears, if any, due from June to September 1999 for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [17496/99]
The person concerned was awarded retirement pension on 5 August 1999 at the maximum rate of £83 per a week with effect from Thursday, 18 June 1998 – Thursday following his 65th birthday – increasing to £89 a week from 3 June 1999.
A retirement pension order book issued to the post office on 18 August 1999, with orders payable from 2 September 1999.
Arrears of retirement pension due for the period 18 June 1998 to 1 September 1999, less the amount of pre-retirement allowance paid for the period 18 June 1998 to 16 June 1999, were issued
on 9 September 1999. The net arrears amounted to £2,317.10 and included the sum of £979 in respect of the period 17 June 1999 to 1 September 1999.
