asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, did not qualify for the full increase in unemployment assistance.
Written Answers. - Kerry Social Welfare Payments.
120.
The person in question was paid the full increase of unemployment assistance due to him under Schedule B, section 4, of the Social Welfare Act, 1978 which applies to smallholders whose means are assessed on a notional basis for the purposes of entitlement to unemployment assistance and whose land valuations exceed £10 but do not exceed £15.
121.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a non-contributory old-age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
A non-contributory old age pension has not been granted to the person concerned as the social welfare officer has appealed against the decision of the local pension committee to award pension at the maximum rate, on the ground that the claimant's means exceeded the statutory limit for entitlement to a pension. A deed of transfer of the claimant's farm has been executed and the appeals officer awaits confirmation that the deed has been stamped before he gives his decision.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, did not qualify for a contributory pension.
There is no trace of a claim for an old age contributory pension from the person concerned and it would appear from the records of my Department that he would be unlikely to satisfy the necessary contribution conditions for entitlement to such pension. However, if he wishes to obtain a formal decision on the matter he should submit a claim on the form which is obtainable at any post office. He has been awarded a non-contributory old age pension at the maximum rate with effect from 26 May 1978.
123.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, ceased to qualify for unemployment benefit.
A deciding officer of my Department held that the person concerned was disqualified under the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts for receiving unemployment benefit for a period of six weeks on the ground that he had voluntarily left his employment without just cause. He appealed against this decision and after an oral hearing of his case the appeals officer upheld the decision of the deciding officer. Payment of unemployment benefit has been made to the claimant from the termination of the six weeks' period of disqualification.