asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been granted an increase in unemployment assistance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
255.
The person concerned, who is a smallholder, was not entitled to the increases in the rates of unemployment assistance introduced this year as he is a smallholder whose means are assessed on a notional basis by reference to his land valuation. He applied to have his means factually assessed. It was found, however, that this method of assessment was not to his advantage as it did not entitle him to an increase in his rate of unemployment assistance. If he is not satisfied with the result of the factual assessment, he has the right to appeal to an appeals officer.
269.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been terminated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, who is the mother of 10 children, has had a serious kidney operation and is unfit to resume any kind of work.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 12 August 1980. Payment was disallowed from 15 October 1980 following her examination on 9 October 1980 by a medical referee, who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She was notified on 24 October 1980 of the decision to disallow payment and of her right of appeal if dissatisfied with the decision. No appeal has been received and no medical evidence of incapacity for work has been submitted since 28 October 1980.
270.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received unemployment assistance after signing for 18 months.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance in November 1979 and the reason that he is not receiving payment is that his means were assessed at £20.10 weekly which exceeded the maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case. He subsequently appealed against this decision in April of this year and the appeals officer requested a full reinvestigation of the claimant's means. As a result of this reinvestigation, the appeals officer reduced the assessment of means to £18.00 weekly but as this amount still exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance applicable in this case. £16.45, the person concerned did not become entitled to unemployment assistance.
271.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from my Department for three separate periods this year, commencing with a claim from 3 to 17 March 1980. She is not qualified for payment in respect of these claims as she has less than the statutory minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1978/79, the contribution year governing her claims. It is understood, however, that she was in Great Britain during 1978 and inquiries are being made regarding British insurance contributions, if any, which may be taken into account for the purpose of establishing entitlement to benefit.