asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay to date in giving a decision on the claim for an old age pension for an applicant (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
192.
A decision was delayed in this case because the results of an investigation carried out by a social welfare officer of my Department and sent by him for decision by an appeals officer, did not arrive. I have had the case urgently re-examined and I am happy to say that a pension book and all arrears due were issued to the applicant on 12 May 1980. I regret the delay which occurred although it was unavoidable in the circumstances.
195.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway and when payment will issue.
The person concerned has not been paid unemployment benefit as a deciding officer has held that he is not entitled to benefit on the ground that he is not available for employment. He has appealed against this decision and arrangements have been made to have an oral hearing of his case at an early date.
196.
asked the Minister of Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford, the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid in the meantime and when payment will issue.
The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned cannot be decided until details of her employment record in the United Kingdom are obtained from the British authorities. Those details are awaited. She is not entitled to unemployment benefit on the basis of her Irish contribution record. Unemployment assistance has not been paid to her in the meantime because although she has been given the necessary forms she has not completed them to enable her entitlement to unemployment assistance to be determined.