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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1960

Vol. 179 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Review of Donegal Unemployment Assistance Cases.

48.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the number of unemployment assistance cases reviewed by officers of his Department in County Donegal in each of the past two years, and the number of cases in which payment of assistance was (i) reduced, (ii) increased and (iii) discontinued.

As the Deputy is aware the means of holders of qualification certificates must be reviewed when any change occurs in the circumstances of a holder e.g. acquirement of property, marriage, change of address. The means of self-examined persons must also be re-examined periodically. Apart from the other reasons mentioned the means of the holder of a qualification certificate must also be re-investigated if his circumstances have not been reviewed for a number of years.

The number of unemployment assistance cases in County Donegal reviewed by Officers of my Department, in the discharge of their statutory duties, in each of the two years ended 31st January, 1959 and 1960 was 475 and 1,198 respectively. Unemployment assistance was reduced in 258 cases and 719 cases respectively, increased in 66 cases and 111 cases respectively and discontinued in 45 cases and 146 cases respectively.

Prior to September, 1958, the assessment of means, for unemployment assistance purposes, where such were derived from the occupation of land, was based on values for stock, crops etc., adopted in 1940. Since September, 1958, up to date values as are used for old age pension purposes, have been applied to the assessment of means for unemployment assistance purposes.

Is this the Minister's method of saving money in his Department?

He has many methods.

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