asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be reached regarding the claim to PRB of a person (details supplied) in County Meath.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
35.
The person concerned made a claim for unemployment benefit on 24th January, 1976, and was paid at the maximum weekly rate applicable in his case up to 3rd April, 1976. The information furnished with his claim was insufficient to enable the amount of his earnings during the 1974-75 income tax year, on which his entitlement to pay-related benefit depended, to be ascertained. The further inquiries which were necessary have now been completed and his weekly entitlement to that benefit has been assessed. In the meantime it had been decided by a deciding officer that he was not unemployed from 15th March, 1976, to 7th April, 1976, in respect of which period he had signed the unemployed register. As a result he had received payment of unemployment benefit to which he was not entitled. Arrears of pay-related benefit due to him are, accordingly, being withheld towards recovery of the amount overpaid.
The claimant has been notified of his right to appeal against the deciding officer's decision, if dissatisfied.
36.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Offaly is not receiving the full amount in unemployment assistance.
The maximum rate of unemployment assistance is not payable to the person concerned on his application of 13th March, 1976, as his weekly rate of means was assessed for unemployment assistance purposes at £3.25. On the basis of this rate of means, which is derived from self employment and from ownership of land, he is entitled to unemployment assistance at a reduced rate subject to the usual conditions for receiving it. He has applied for a reassessment of his weekly rate of means and when the necessary inquiries have been completed a decision will be given and he will be notified of the result.
37.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (name supplied) in County Offaly, who is claiming unemployment assistance for the last nine weeks, has not been paid.
When the person concerned made his application for unemployment assistance on 9th March, 1976, he was not the holder of a qualification certificate which is a prerequisite for entitlement to unemployment assistance. The necessary inquiries regarding the applicant's means for unemployment assistance purposes have been more protracted than is usual in such cases but every effort is being made to complete them speedily. Decisions on the application for a qualification certificate and for unemployment assistance will then be given without delay.
38.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Offaly was not paid unemployment benefit from the 5th March last.
In order to be entitled to unemployment benefit on her claim of 13th March, 1976, the person concerned would require to have had at least 26 employment contributions paid since her entry into insurance. The records of this Department showed that a total of only seven contributions was paid in respect of her. On the information supplied by the claimant, however, it appears that she had had employment for which further contributions had been paid but in respect of which a stamped insurance card could not be produced and also employment in respect of which contributions had not been paid. Further inquiries are accordingly being made in the matter. Every effort will be made to complete them and to give a decision on the claim to benefit at an early date.