asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider introducing a means test for the purpose of deciding eligibility for unemployment assistance instead of the present system of valuation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
7.
As one of the social assistance schemes unemployment assistance has, of course, always been means-tested. In the normal course the assessment of means is based on a direct examination of the applicant's circumstances. In 1966, however, a special method of assessing farm income by reference to valuation was introduced for small holder applicants in specified areas of congestion.
This method of "notional" assessment assumed an annual income of £20 for each £ of land valuation. The multiplier of £20 remained unchanged up to the 31st March, 1976, since when higher multipliers are being applied to valuations above £15 and above £20, respectively. No further changes in the means test for unemployment assistance are contemplated at present.
I thought the Parliamentary Secretary gave an answer to me in the House that you could opt for another assessment. I sent a case to him in which, under the new method of assessment, the £40 valuation, a man was assessed with £1,220 as his income when he was actually doing farm accounts under the small farm social welfare scheme and the accounts which had to be sanctioned by the County Committee of Agriculture showed £985.
A supplementary question, please, Deputy.
In relation to the facts which were sent by me to the Parliamentary Secretary does he not consider that the valuation is terribly unjust where a man who is doing accounts certified by the Department under the new system is assessed at £1,220 when his actual income is £985?
I recall the Deputy asking for clarification on this during the course of the Social Welfare Bill through the House and I remember replying that a farmer who was affected by the new assessment could opt for assessment on factual income. That is the position.
I am glad to hear that. The bases of assessment vary so much between that for old age pensions and the health board for health cards——
I am afraid we are not having a supplementary question.
On what basis does the Parliamentary Secretary intend to operate?
It will be on the same basis that applies to any other applicant for unemployment assistance.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the present means test and the way it is operating is in any way favourable towards the many thousands of school leavers who are trying to sign on?
The Deputy is raising another matter.
The means test is referred to in the question. In all fairness, I think the Parliamentary Secretary should reply.
It is a separate question totally unrelated to the question submitted. There has been no change in the method of assessment since the means test was introduced by the Deputy's party.
I am asking if the Parliamentary Secretary is satisfied that it operates fairly in relation to the many school leavers in Dublin who are unemployed?
As I have said on many occasions I am not satisfied with many aspects of the social welfare services but I am a hell of a lot more satisfied now than I was in 1973.
Deputy Hussey.
What about the many school leavers who are unemployed?
(Interruptions.)
Order. Deputies ought not to put questions from a sitting position when a Deputy is offering. Deputy Tom Hussey was called by the Chair.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the long delays which at present obtain in investigating certain applications for unemployment assistance? Some people have to sign on for as long as three months at the Garda barracks without getting payment. Will the Parliamentary Secretary try to have those cases expedited or give some assistance to the assistance officers who are investigating those cases at present?
I am not aware of delays of the nature the Deputy mentions but if he has any particular cases of that nature I would be glad to investigate them.
I can give the Parliamentary Secretary a number of them.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is generally accepted that there is great discrepancy in the valuation in different parts of the country and that it is felt that those fortunate enough to have a valuation levelled on them when valuations were first done were treated much more leniently than those whose valuations went on at the end of the time? Would he care to comment on that?
As far as I am aware there has been no change in the method of valuation or in valuations since the scheme was first introduced.
I am speaking of the time when the scheme was first introduced and when valuations were put on certain properties in the beginning. It is accepted that those valued earliest were treated more leniently than those valued latest.
The Deputy must be aware that the question of valuation is a matter for another Minister not for the Minister for Social Welfare.
When assessing for UA on small farmers would the Parliamentary Secretary take into account the high valuation on flax growing land in the 19th century when this valuation was first laid on the land? It is away out of proportion to what they can produce nowadays.
The actual valuation of the land is not a question for the Department of Social Welfare.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that when the system he uses is proven to be faulty he should adopt a system that is much more equitable to those looking for social welfare?
We have done that. I have already replied to a previous supplementary question that if a person is not satisfied with the notional valuation he can opt for a factual income assessment.
8.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) who is signing for it since 4th December, 1975.
A claim for unemployment benefit made by the person concerned on 4th December, 1975, was disallowed by a deciding officer with effect from that date on the ground that she did not satisfy the statutory condition for entitlement to benefit which requires a claimant to be available for employment. The claimant has appealed against the deciding officer's decision and her appeal, at which it will be open to her to attend and give evidence on her own behalf, is listed for hearing by an appeals officer during the present week.
When an appeal takes place and when the person claiming states that she is available for work, how does the deciding officer disprove that?
As the Deputy is aware deciding officers and appeals officers are outside the jurisdiction of the Minister. They are totally independent of him. By virtue of their experience in this field they assess whether a claimant has satisfied all the statutory conditions that apply.
In this case the person is ready and able to work.