asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment benefit has been paid to a person (name supplied) in County Monaghan; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit.
35.
I informed the Deputy on 27th April last, in reply to his previous question about this case, that inquiries were proceeding as to the validity of contributions tendered in support of the person's claim for unemployment benefit. Following completion of the inquiries, a deciding officer has since decided that, during the period represented by the contributions in question, the claimant was not employed in employment which is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. The contributions have, therefore, been rejected and, in consequence, the claim for unemployment benefit has been disallowed on the ground that the statutory condition was not satisfied which requires that at least 26 employment contributions be properly paid in respect of the claimant.
The claimant has, however, lodged an appeal against the decision rejecting the contributions and arrangements are being made for determination of the case by an appeals officer. The benefit claim will be reviewed, if necessary, in the light of the decision on the appeal.
I wish to add that the person has become eligible for unemployment assistance which will be paid, subject to the usual conditions, pending the final outcome on the claim for unemployment benefit.
36.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if there are any circumstances in which a married woman with children would be deemed available for work for the purpose of obtaining unemployment benefit; and, if so, what they are.
There are, of course, circumstances in which a married woman with children would satisfy the condition for entitlement to unemployment benefit which requires that a claimant to that benefit be available for employment. The question of availability for employment arises on every claim to unemployment benefit and is determined on the particular facts and circumstances of each case. The determination is a matter for deciding officers and appeals officers in the discharge of their statutory functions under the Social Welfare Acts.
Married women with children are subject to the same criteria as other claimants to unemployment benefit in regard to their availability for work. It is a fact of life that commitments deriving from marriage and children do, in fact, sometimes constitute an additional impediment in the case of such women.
Is the Minister aware that in practice it is virtually impossible for a married woman with children to obtain unemployment benefit, even if she produces evidence of applications for jobs, together with evidence of adequate means for taking care of her children? The appeals officers are applying the regulations in a certain way and would the Minister consider having the matter thoroughly reviewed?
This is a statutory function of the appeals officer, but I will bring the Deputy's statement to the Minister's notice.
Do the appeals officers operate within the ambit of regulations laid down by the Minister and, if so, is it open to the Minister to change the regulations?
That is a separate question.
There is a set of regulations, but I would want to have notice of the question.
It is a separate question.
Could the Minister give any indication of the number of complaints against the decisions on appeals by deciding officers in any one year?
I have not that information.