asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a deciding officer assessed means at £10.65 per week against a person (name supplied) in County Kerry who is an unemployed school leaver who did his leaving certificate this year and cannot find any work; how the figure of £10.65 was calculated and the reasons for the discrepancy between this figure and other figures assessed as means against persons in a similar position throughout the country.
Written Answers. - Kerry Means Assessment.
37.
The means of the person concerned were assessed by a deciding officer for unemployment assistance purposes on the basis of the estimated value to him of the benefit or privilege of free board and lodging in his father's household. The latter has a business and a holding and the assessment took into account the net income of the parents and the number of non-wage earning members of the household. As will, no doubt, be apparent to the Deputy, assessment of means in cases of this kind depend directly on the circumstances of the individual households concerned, and accordingly the question of there being any discrepancy between the assessment in this case and those in the case of other persons in a similar position throughout the country does not arise.
The applicant was advised of his right to appeal against the deciding officer's decision if he was dissatisfied with it but so far he has not done so.