asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if new regulations regarding unemployment assistance are now being introduced by his Department.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
166.
The reason the person concerned was not entitled to unemployment assistance was that the value of his means, derived from his father's farm on which he is employed, exceeds the statutory limit for entitlement in his case.
There are no proposals on hand for new regulations regarding unemployment assistance. As indicated, however, in a reply of 19 November 1980 to a question from Deputy O'Keeffe, certain improvements in the making of assessments of board and lodging of persons claiming unemployment assistance were introduced on 2 April 1980 following a review of the operation of this aspect of the scheme. As a result of these improvements the assessment of board and lodgings of a person living at home does not normally exceed 12½ per cent of the nett family income of the household and may often be considerably less.
This limit is not appropriate, however, where the person concerned is participating in the working of a farm or business and consequently entitled as a right to a return for this participation and it did not apply in the case of the person referred to in the question. This, however, made no difference to the claimant since the application of the new limit would still not have entitled him to assistance due to the substantial nature of his father's holding and the income derived from it.
167.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) alleging that a citizen is in receipt of unemployment assistance in four different centres with a resulting income of £220 per week and that the recipient travels 100 miles in his own car in the process; if he will have this allegation investigated and the steps taken to ensure that frauds of this nature are not perpetrated in the future.
My attention has been drawn to the newspaper report referred to by the Deputy. In accordance with its normal practice my Department are bringing the case in question to the notice of the Garda authorities for investigation. They will, of course, have the full co-operation of my Department in any inquiries they may wish to make.
168.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway, has not received disability benefit since 29 September 1980, having been declared fit for work by a medical referee and later been declared unfit for work when he applied for a job; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 6 March 1972 to 27 September 1980. Payment was disallowed after that date following his examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the decision to disallow payment and he was again examined by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
His claim has now been referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer proposes to hold an oral hearing of the appeal at an early date. He will be notified of the time and place of the appeal hearing as soon as the necessary arrangements have been made.
At the appeal hearing the person concerned will be afforded an opportunity of furnishing information to the appeals officer regarding the circumstances in which he was regarded as unfit for work when he applied for a job.
169.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of a non-contributory widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
A claim for a widow's non-contributory pension, made by the person concerned, was rejected on the ground that her means exceeded the statutory limit of £1,196.00 per annum. Following an appeal by the widow an appeals officer has upheld the decision.
The appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive and can only be reviewed in the light of new facts or fresh evidence.