Occupational injury benefit in Offaly
Payment was delayed pending investigation of the work-related incapacity; interim disability benefit was unavailable because the claimant lacked sufficient contributions.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Offaly has not yet received any occupational injury benefit; and if he will ensure that benefit will be paid promptly.
Comment on this
The person concerned claimed injury benefit on 28 November 1980 in respect of incapacity due to an accident at work on 10 November 1980. Payment could not be made pending inquiries as to the nature and origin of the incapacity.
Ordinarily in such cases payment of disability benefit is made on an interim basis pending completion of the inquiries, but the person concerned was not entitled to such payment because she had not sufficient contributions in the governing contribution year. The last insurance card to her credit was for the year 1976-1977.
On completion of the inquiries it was accepted that the incapacity was in fact due to an accident at work. The claim to injury benefit was allowed and payment has been made for the period from 10 November 1980 to 6 March 1981, when she was certified fit to resume work.
24.