Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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112. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 receiving an occupational injury benefit. [14786/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied for occupational injury benefit on 28 January 2015 with effect from 20 January 2015.

Award of the claim was delayed as the claimant was a dependant on her spouse’s state pension contributory claim. To ensure that the person concerned got the best financial outcome it was necessary to check with the pensions section the rate of payment she was in receipt of to pay the higher of the two schemes. The amount which she would receive by way of occupational injury benefit was greater than the qualified adult dependant amount paid on her spouse’s state pension so she was awarded the latter. Details of the amount paid on spouse’s state pension contributory claim since January were then sought so that any arrears due could be calculated. These details have now been received and payment of arrears of occupational injury benefit due including this week’s payment have issued to her bank account.

Delays in replying to emails on the dedicated email address are regretted and steps have been put in place to ensure prompt responses in the future.