asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was refused unemployment assistance; the reason his means were assessed as £4,105.70 as he owns no land or property and has no income at all at present; and how the figure of £4,105 was arrived at.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
625.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. His means were assessed on the basis that he had a yearly income of £1,820 from self employment cutting timber, and that the yearly value of board and lodging on his brother's farm was £2,285.71. Accordingly the total amount of means assessed against him amounted to £4,105.70 per annum and exceeded the sum of £2,935.40 per annum which is the statutory limit appropriate to him.
626.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £28.90 weekly, the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £2.85. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer on 28 November 1984 also assessed him with means of £2.85 weekly. He is being informed of this decision through his local office.
627.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Galway is in receipt of maximum rate of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £21.15 weekly derived from the profit from land. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him is reduced by the amount of means assessed against him and he is accordingly being paid unemployment assistance at £65.60 being the appropriate rate £86.75 less means £21.15. If he considers that his circumstances have changed since the date his means were last assessed it is open to him to apply for a reinvestigation of his case. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
628.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Galway is in receipt of full social welfare payments.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £4 weekly derived from the profit from a holding, by an appeals officer. The amount of means is deducted from the appropriate rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £45.65 weekly being the long term rate appropriate to a widower with two qualified children £49.65 less £4 means.
629.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of an old age pension will be recommence for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was awarded an old age non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £38.60 from 3 May 1984 increased to £41.30 from 6 July 1984. The appropriate pension book payable from 27 July 1984 issued on 25 July 1984 and a payable order covering arrears of pension due from 3 May 1984 to 20 July 1984 issued separately. A renewal book payable from 5 October 1984 issued on 25 August 1984.
The non-receipt of her pension book payable from 27 July 1984 did not come to light until 2 December 1984 when the Deputy's question was received. In the circumstances, arrangements were made to stop payment on the missing pension book and a payable order covering the period 27 July 1984 to 28 September 1984 was issued direct to the pensioner on 3 December. The local post office has confirmed that she received her pension book payable from 5 October.
630.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be given the result of his appeal.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means of £31.52 weekly derived from the profit from his holding and from the value of capital exceeded the rate payable to him. He appealed on 4 September 1984 against the amount of means assessed against him and arising out of contentions made by him in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries were completed recently and in the light of the fresh social welfare officer's report a deciding officer in a revised decision reduced his means from £31.52 weekly to £24.55 weekly effective from 4 September 1984. He has not however signed as unemployed on or after 4 September 1984 and accordingly no payment of unemployment assistance is due to him. He has been advised of the decision in his case.
631.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry dealt with as soon as possible as he has been assessed as having means of £27.05 weekly and he has no financial means.
An appeal application form to enable him to appeal against the amount of means assessed against him has been sent to the person concerned who is a postal applicant for unemployment assistance. When the completed application form is returned his case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.