asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance payable to a person (details supplied) in Dublin is being reduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance.
7.
The rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned was reduced because of a reinvestigation of his circumstances following which a deciding officer increased the assessment of his weekly rate of means which are derived from the benefit or privilege of free, or partly free, board and lodging enjoyed by him in his parents' home. He was notified of this decision and of his right to appeal against it if he was dissatisfied.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say what was the weekly award made to this young man?
On reinvestigation there was a deduction of 90 pence per week and the present rate is, I think, £8 per week.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the person in question has since been notified that the award would be reduced further to 90 pence per week?
The only thing I can tell the Deputy is that it does appear this person had the right of appeal to an appeals officer and to date no appeal has been forwarded by him.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary assure me or indicate to me now what the amount is to which this person is entitled this week?
I could not tell the Deputy that. The only thing I can tell him is that both the Minister and his Parliamentary Secretary have repeatedly stated that decisions in these things are matters in the first instance for the deciding officer and ultimately for the appeals officer. Neither the Minister nor the Parliamentary Secretary can influence these decisions.
I understood from the Parliamentary Secretary that this person has had his allowance reduced from £8.90 per week to £8. May I take it the latter figure represents the amount to which this person is entitled?
I stand corrected. The weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to him had to be reduced to 90 pence per week—that is, £8.90 less £8. The Deputy is right in saying it is 90 pence at present.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary know the conditions he referred to as being enjoyed by this young man? His elderly father is in receipt of £30 a week. His mother is an invalid. How can the Department say in these circumstances that this elderly couple are obliged to keep this young man who was for so long an insured worker?
All I can say to the Deputy is that this young man has not availed of his right of appeal to an appeals officer. If he does that I have no doubt his case will be reviewed by the appeals officer.