asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that a deserted wife receiving maintenance payments does not lose her eligibility for social welfare payment in cases where the amount of maintenance falls below that of the deserted wife's allowance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
180.
Regulations under the Social Welfare Acts provide that a woman may be regarded as having been deserted by her husband if, inter alia, he wilfully refuses or neglects to contribute to the support and maintenance of herself and her children.
The regulations also provide that, in relation to the question of support and maintenance, payments which are inconsiderable may be disregarded.
Each claim is decided on its merits and accordingly it is considered undesirable to specify the amount paid by the husband which could be disregarded in determining whether he is contributing towards her support and maintenance.
181.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a claim for unemployment benefit by a married woman (details supplied) in County Clare was rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The claim for unemployment benefit of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was held to be not available for employment.
She appealed against this decision and after an oral hearing of her case at which she attended and gave evidence on her own behalf, the appeals officer upheld the decision of the deciding officer.
If the person concerned is of opinion that her circumstances have changed and that she is now available for employment, it is open to her to re-apply for unemployment benefit and her claim will be reinvestigated.
198.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of a contributory old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
According to the records of my Department the person concerned was born on 11 January 1914 and on that basis attained pension age of 66 years on 11 January 1980. However, there is no trace of a claim for old age pension having been received from him.
A claim form for contributory pension has been sent to him and as soon as he returns this claim form duly completed a decision will be given in his case without delay.
He was in receipt of disability benefit for the period 3 November 1979 to 8 December 1979 and pending a decision on his claim for old age contributory pension payment of disability benefit is being resumed.