asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department intends to increase (a) the amount of widow's pension and of children's allowance payable in respect of children of widows and (b) the rate of children's allowance payable to families with a large number of children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
29.
As I have pointed out on a number of occasions in the past, the schemes of widows' and orphans' pensions and children's allowances, in common with the other schemes administered by my Department, are under constant review with a view to effecting such improvements in them as may be practicable within the means available. However, the Deputy will no doubt appreciate that improvements in any one scheme cannot be planned without due consideration being given to the needs of equally deserving recipients under other social welfare schemes. In any event proposals for increases in social welfare payments must await consideration in connection with the Budget.
Would the Minister not agree that one of the most deprived households in many respects is that in which the father has been taken away? Would he not also agree that a widow's pension is not sufficient to enable her to rear her family on the same standard of living that family enjoyed when the father was alive and would he not consider in the budgetary measures next year bringing that family——
We are trying to get through questions.
I agree there is need for some priority in the case of widows. As the Deputy noticed, in the last Budget the highest percentage of social welfare increase was that given to widows.
30.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the criteria and procedures used by deciding officers and/or appeals officers of his Department in determining that an insured worker is not available for work.
Under statutory provisions in social welfare legislation, persons are deemed to be available for employment in certain circumstances. These provisions are limited to persons undergoing approved courses of rehabilitation training and to definition of days of unemployment in the special case of night workers. In respect of persons to whom those provisions are not applicable, I am indebted for the following information to the officers referred to in the question, who, as the House is aware, are completely independent in the exercise of their statutory functions and are not subject to direction or control by me or anyone else.
Specific criteria are not used for determining that an insured worker is not available for work; the approach is to apply criteria in determining whether a person is or is not so available. These criteria are broadly whether a genuine desire and intention to obtain work is present, whether domestic or other commitments exist which might limit the person's freedom to accept, or might prevent acceptance of full-time employment which would normally be suitable for him, and whether restrictions are being imposed by the person on the kind, place or hours of employment accepttable to him, any of which would unreasonably diminish his prospects of obtaining work. The determination of availability is made by deciding officers and appeals officers, in the exercise of their statutory functions, through the interpretation and application of any or all of these broad criteria in the light of and in relation to the whole facts and evidence available in each particular case. The procedures followed in the determination of such cases are no different from those used in the generality of cases where title to unemployment payment is at issue.
Would the Minister accept a declaration by the person concerned that he is available for work? Would the deciding officer accept that? Secondly, does the deciding officer visit the home and ascertain the family circumstances or is a declaration by the person concerned of availability for work sufficient?
No.
Would the deciding officer visit the home?
The investigating officer goes to the home.
That is not correct. The investigating officer does not go to the home. This is very important, even though we are on borrowed time. The investigating officer simply listens to the applicant and, if he makes up his mind that the applicant is not available, whether or not he is available, that is it. The Minister should make sure of his facts.
He is entitled to investigate.
But he does not do it. That would be too much trouble.
In view of the fact that we are, like the Government, on borrowed time, I should like to know if the calibre of that reply is any indication of the Government's realisation that it is on borrowed time and, if it is, I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
31.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the position in regard to the maternity allowance claim submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.
A claim for maternity allowance was received on 14th October, 1971, from the person mentioned by the Deputy. As, however, the confinement to which the claim related had taken place on 2nd April, 1971, payment of the allowance could not be made under the regulations since the claim was not received within seven weeks of the end of the period for which the allowance would ordinarily have been payable. A claim for the maternity grant which is payable in respect of confinement had been received on the 30th June, 1971, and was paid. With a view to treating the claimant as favourably as possible in the matter of the maternity allowance claim this latter date was treated as the date of receipt of the claim for that allowance and this enabled the claimant to qualify for it for one week. She was paid accordingly.
Question No. 32 postponed.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.