asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have an application for a noncontributory old age pension expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
97.
An appeals officer has awarded pension at the maximum rate from the date on which the claimant reached pensionable age. The pension book and arrears have issued.
98.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have unemployment assistance paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is signing on for seven weeks.
The person concerned was paid unemployment benefit up to 3rd March, 1977, on her claim of 11th February, 1977. Her claim was then disallowed for a period of six weeks from 4th March, 1977 on the ground that she refused an offer of suitable employment. She appealed against this decision and arrangements are being made for an appeal hearing, at which it will be open to her to attend and give evidence on her own behalf. She will be notified of the place, time and date of the hearing in due course.
99.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have an application for unemployment assistance sanctioned for a person (name supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 1st March, 1977, following which it was necessary to inquire into his circumstances. These inquiries have now been completed and unemployment assistance is being paid to him at the appropriate rate.
100.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit, not unemployment assistance, on 10th January, 1977, and this claim was disallowed by a deciding officer on the ground that she did not satisfy the statutory condition which requires a claimant to be available for employment. She appealed against this decision but subsequently did not attend an oral hearing of her case which had been arranged before an appeals officer. The appeals officer on the evidence available to him disallowed her appeal. The decision of an appeals officer is final in the absence of new facts or fresh evidence.