asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (name supplied) in County Kerry is not being paid unemployment assistance even though he has been signing since February, 1970; and if he will explain the delay by his Department in acknowledging correspondence in this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Unemployment Assistance.
10.
The person referred to is not entitled to the receipt of unemployment assistance because his qualification certificate was revoked by a deciding officer with effect from 4th February, 1970 on the ground that the applicant failed to show that his means do not exceed the statutory limit in his case for entitlement to unemployment assistance. That decision was subsequently confirmed by an appeals officer and the position is still unchanged despite every effort by my Department, following frequent representation in the case, to establish the true level of the applicant's means.
Recent inquiries by the Deputy about the case were acknowledged in the ordinary way but I regret that the issue of a reply was delayed pending consideration of further general investigations made arising out of the particular case.
Is it not very unfair that this man had to wait 16 months before he was told by the Department that he was not entitled to benefit? Surely a man on £4 10s valuation and with four children is entitled to unemployment assistance?
I understand he was told on several occasions——
Indeed, he was not. I can assure the Parliamentary Secretary of that.
——until there was some indication of what his earnings were his case could not be decided.
It is a disgrace that the Department would not even acknowledge correspondence?