asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a person in Newmarket, County Cork appealed against decisions which refused him unemployment benefit and assistance last November and that this person has had no income since then; and if he will investigate the matter.
Written Answer. - Unemployment Benefit and Assistance.
103.
A claim to unemployment benefit made on 29th October, 1973, by the person in question was disallowed by a deciding officer on the ground of deficiency of contributions. A statutory condition for title to unemployment benefit requires that at least twentysix employment contributions be paid or credited in respect of the claimant in the governing contribution year, in this instance 1972. The claimant had only nine contributions for that year during the remainder of which he was self-employed as a lorry owner-driver. He did not lodge an appeal against the decision of the deciding officer on the benefit claim.
The person also made, early in November, 1973, an application for a qualification certificate for unemployment assistance. The application was refused by a deciding officer on the ground that the applicant's means, as calculated for the purposes of the Unemployment Assistance Acts, exceeded the statutory limit applicable to his case. An appeal was made against the decision of the deciding officer, but the decision was upheld by an appeals officer. The person was notified accordingly and given details of the means assessment made in his case. In the absence of new facts or fresh evidence the appeals officer's decision is final.