asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons (details supplied) in Dublin 7 have a social welfare income of only £75 per week; if he will review the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
127.
The husband of the person concerned is entitled to payment of unemployment assistance at the maximum rate of £107.90 being the appropriate rate payable to a man with a wife and five children.
In accordance with statutory regulations the person concerned has applied for, and is receiving, that portion of her husband's entitlement payable in respect of herself and her children. Accordingly he is receiving £37.80 and she is receiving £70.10 a week. She is also in receipt of a fuel allowance of £5 a week.
If the person concerned finds that her means are insufficient to meet her needs she may apply to her local community welfare officer for assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
128.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been in receipt of disability benefit for the past eight years will qualify for invalidity pension; the correct amount payable in respect of disability and/or invalidity in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 27 July 1981. He is paid at the rate appropriate to a married man with one qualified child dependant which is £79.40 per week. He was examined in connection with his claim to disability benefit on 26 January 1988 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination in six months. A deciding officer decided that he was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension. The person concerned has been notified of this decision and of his right to appeal.
If the person concerned were awarded an invalidity pension, he would be paid at the rate appropriate to a married man with one qualified child dependant which is at present £90.80 per week.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the termination of disability benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; when benefit will be restored; the amount to which he is entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 16 May 1987 to 21 March 1988. Social welfare regulations provide that a claimant must leave word where he may be found if he is absent from home.
A sickness visitor of the Department called to the claimant's home on 17 September 1987, 29 October 1987, 12 January 1988 and 16 March 1988. On all four occasions the claimant was absent from home and had left no word as to where he could be contacted. Accordingly; payment of disability benefit was disallowed for the statutory period of nine weeks from 22 March 1988. The claimant was informed of his right to appeal this decision. However, to date no appeal has been received.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of disability benefit was not made to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford for the week ended 31 March 1988.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit from 4 January 1985. His latest payment was for the week ending 8 April 1988.
A cheque for £90.20 issued to the claimant on 30 March 1988 paying him to 25 March and a further payment of £90.20 was issued on 7 April 1988 paying him to 1 April 1988.
Disability benefit cheques appear to have issued in this case regularly in response to the receipt of medical certificates. If the person has not received any of his weekly cheques he should notify the Department with details.