asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying social welfare benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
17.
The person concerned claimed occupational injury benefit on 3 November 1982, in respect of an incapacity resulting from an accident at work on 30 October 1982.
Pending the completion of investigation of the accident, he was awarded disability benefit as an interim measure from 4 November 1982, the fourth day of incapacity. Pay-related benefit was also awarded from 15 November, the thirteenth day of incapacity.
Following confirmation of the occupational accident, injury benefit was allowed from the date of the accident and an adjusting cheque was issued on 16 February 1983 for the additional benefit payable over and above the amounts already paid for the period from 30 October 1982 to 10 February 1983.
In error the claim was then closed with effect from 11 February 1983. Unfortunately, there was delay in re-opening the claim when further medical certification arrived. The claim was re-opened on 9 March 1983 and outstanding benefit was paid on 15 March 1983. The claimant has now been paid to 14 May 1983, the date of the latest medical certificate received.
18.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 18 December 1982, fourth day of incapacity, to 12 February 1983, after which date he was certified fit to resume work.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit depended on the reckonable earnings of the claimant in the 1980-81 income tax year. These were not available to the Department at the time the claim to disability benefit was made. Details were however obtained from the office of the Revenue Commissioners and all pay-related benefit due was paid to the claimant on 14 March 1983.
19.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis on which the sum of £22.65 was calculated as the rate of unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Meath as he should be receiving £51.60 per week; the arrears due to him; and when they will be paid.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £22.65 weekly derived from self-employment as a fisherman. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but an appeals officer upheld the assessment at £22.65 weekly.
He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £27.85 being the maximum rate payable to him £50.50 less means £22.65.
20.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not being paid unemployment assistance at the full rate.
The person concerned is receiving unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £8.15, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case, of £25.45 less means £17.30, derived from the letting of his land. His means were recently reviewed and no change in them was found to be warranted.
21.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amounts paid in all unemployment benefit and assistance claims for each week in January and February 1983.
Unemployment payments may be made at local offices of my Department or in certain cases at post offices. The information available includes the actual expenditure at local offices and in respect of post offices the amounts listed by local offices for payment at post offices. The actual accounts for post office expenditure will not be available for some months. I propose to circulate the details available in the form of a tabular statement.
Following is the statement:—
|
Week Ending |
Unemployment Benefit |
Pay-Related Benefit |
Unemployment Assistance |
Total |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
7 January 1983 |
4,216,493 |
1,146,158 |
3,801,224 |
9,163,875 |
|
14 January 1983 |
4,232,194 |
1,171,919 |
3,820,535 |
9,224,648 |
|
21 January 1983 |
4,347,648 |
1,262,486 |
3,828,244 |
9,438,378 |
|
28 January 1983 |
4,400,700 |
1,251,658 |
3,819,817 |
9,472,175 |
|
Total for January |
17,197,035 |
4,832,221 |
15,269,820 |
37,299,076 |
|
4 February 1983 |
4,370,464 |
1,290,713 |
3,800,928 |
9,462,105 |
|
11 February 1983 |
4,310,796 |
1,251,922 |
3,807,542 |
9,370,260 |
|
18 February 1983 |
4,321,216 |
1,274,630 |
3,820,983 |
9,416,829 |
|
25 February 1983 |
4,398,180 |
1,275,259 |
3,769,821 |
9,443,260 |
|
Total for February |
17,400,656 |
5,092,524 |
15,199,274 |
37,692,454 |
22.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of people unemployed in east Cork at the present time, in 1981 and 1982; the number on unemployment assistance in those years; and the number on unemployment benefit.
Details of the number of persons registered as unemployed at the local offices serving east Cork in 1983, 1982 and 1981 are as follows:—
|
Date |
Total number registered as employed. |
Number on unemployment assistance. |
Number on unemployment benefit. |
|
29 April 1983 |
4,216 |
1,625 |
2,417 |
|
30 April 1982 |
3,073 |
1,217 |
1,717 |
|
24 April 1981 |
2,857 |
756 |
1,996 |
What is the percentage increase for the past year?
I do not have the percentages.
Could I have the total number of people unemployed in County Cork?
The total number registered as unemployed is 4,216.
In County Cork?
This relates to east Cork.
What is the percentage increase over the same date last year?
It is about 25 per cent.
Is the Minister aware that east Cork is one of the blackest unemployment spots, and with the harbour area practically on the verge of closure, would the Minister inform his Government that money is urgently required in that area?
I will certainly do that.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's order.