Michael Creed
Ceist:184 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to disability allowance. [10120/10]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 28 April 1999. Following a medical examination on 8 June 1999, it was found that he did not fulfil the medical criteria for the award of the allowance. He was advised of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of appeal on 21 June 1999. He appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and was referred for medical examinations on 9 December 1999 and 27 January 2000. On both occasions he was unable to attend and a further medical examination was arranged for 13 June 2000. The Social Welfare Appeals Office made a final determination on his appeal on 3 April 2001, following an oral hearing held on 14 March 2001. The appeals officer, having considered all the evidence, including information adduced at the oral hearing, allowed the appeal from 24 June 2000. This decision will be communicated to the person concerned shortly. Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
Jack Wall
Ceist:185 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will alter the guidelines in relation to contributory old age pension assessment where a person is in receipt of a reduced pension and where that person has contributions pre-1953, to permit these contributions to be taken into account in assessing the person's pension rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10205/10]
The special flat-rate old age contributory pension, payable at 50% of the maximum personal rate, introduced from May 2000, is designed to benefit people with pre-1953 social insurance contributions who, due to the yearly average rule, failed to qualify for a pension. This is achieved by affording additional recognition to social insurance contributions paid prior to 1953 and is in line with this Government's commitment to ensuring the widest possible coverage for old age contributory pensions. To qualify a person must have paid at least 260 contributions which may comprise all pre-1953 contributions or a combination of pre and post 1953 insurance. The pension is paid at 50% of the maximum personal rate which will be £53 per week from 6 April 2001. To date approximately 13,500 people have benefited from the measure, including 8,500 people who had been in receipt of a pro rata pension at less than 50% of the personal rate and for whom the new pension is more beneficial. Contributions made prior to 1953 are not counted for the purposes of satisfying the average contributions test. Consequently, pensioners who were already in receipt of a pension of at least 50% of the personal rate may not improve their position arising from this measure. Any further improvements in this area must be viewed in a budgetary context.