asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made regarding unemployment benefit for a person in County Meath (name supplied) who has 84 social welfare contributions over the past three years and who applied for benefit in January, 1975; and the reason for the delay in dealing with this matter.
Written Answers. - Meath Social Welfare Applicant.
92.
As the Deputy is aware from a previous reply the person concerned received a decision disallowing his claim in February last on the ground that he then had less than 78 contributions paid in respect of him in a relevant three-year period. He subsequently reported to the local officer that he had other employment with two employers in 1974 for which contributions had not been paid and as a result of action by the local officer contributions were received from both employers on 5th March, 1975. However, the arrears stamping presented certain features which necessitated inquiries to establish whether these contributions were paid in respect of employment which was insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. On the basis of the information obtained to date eight of the contributions have been accepted as properly paid on 5th March, 1975, and the claim to unemployment benefit has been admitted from that date.
Arrangements have been made for payment of all benefit due in the course of the present week. Inquiries regarding the validity of the remaining contributions are still continuing.