asked the Minister for Social Welfare when his Department will decide on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 who had already been deemed ineligible to receive unemployment benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
494.
The person concerned who applied for unemployment benefit from October 1984 was employed as a part time cleaner from May 1981 to June 1984 for less than 18 hours a week. Her employer had been deducting contributions at the Class A rate in respect of this employment. The relevant regulations relating to part time employment provide that, where such employment is for less than 18 hours a week and the person is not mainly dependent for her livelihood on the remuneration derived therefrom, the employment is insurable for occupational injury benefits only at the Class J rate. Before the claim of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could be decided a formal decision on the correct rate of PRSI contribution applicable in her case was sought. A deciding officer held that she was not mainly dependent on her earnings from her part time employment and decided that the employment was therefore insurable at the Class J rate of contribution which counts for occupational injury benefits only.
The person concerned has appealed against this decision and her appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who will decide the case as early as possible. Her claim to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
495.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not qualify for unemployment benefit or assistance.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 2 April 1984 but his claim was disallowed from 20 June 1984 on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. He applied for unemployment benefit on 16 July 1984 but his entitlement could not be determined until inquiries had been made to establish that his employment during the period from 5 November 1983 to 22 November 1983 was insurable at a class of contribution which provided cover against unemployment. The case was referred to a social welfare officer to make these inquiries. He was not at home when the social welfare officer called at his house but arrangements have been made for the social welfare officer to call on him again this week so that the inquiries can be completed. His unemployment benefit claim will be determined in the light of the outcome of these inquiries.
496.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an appeal can be carried out in an unemployment assistance case and the applicant (details supplied) paid his due entitlement.
The person concerned was assessed with means of £19.20 weekly with effect from 23 November 1983 derived from the profit from his holding. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer on 30 December 1983 also assessed him with means of £19.20 weekly. Following representations on his behalf his case was again referred to an appeals officer who confirmed his previous decision. He is accordingly at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £60.30 being the appropriate rate £79.50 less means £19.20. If he considers that his circumstances have changed since his means were assessed by the appeals officer it is open to him to apply for a further investigation of his means.
497.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid children's allowance in respect of his son whose birth certificate was lodged with his Department on 19 October 1984; and the reason for the delay in payment.
A letter to the person concerned enclosing an application form for children's allowances was returned undelivered to the Department by the postal authorities. It was therefore necessary to have the case investigated by a social welfare officer. Inquiries in the matter are now completed and an allowance book, payable from November 1984 at the appropriate rate, has been issued to the claimant.
498.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is married with three children has now been waiting nine months for payment of children's allowance; if he will have a book made available to her at an early date; and the reason for the continuing delay.
Due to a clerical error a renewal book did not issue in this case for the period July 1984 to June 1985. A book has now issued, however, and a payable order covering arrears due will issue shortly.
499.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will issue on an unemployment assistance appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned lodged an appeal against the amount of means assessed against him last week and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer at the earliest opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
500.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the dire financial circumstances of a person (details supplied) in County Galway following the recent reduction in unemployment assistance payments from £77 per week to £36 per week; and if, in view of the fact that there are ten young children in the family, he will make an early decision to restore unemployment assistance payments in this case.
Following re-investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were reassessed at £86.05 per week. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £36.95 weekly being the appropriate rate £123 less means £86.05. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries after which it was submitted to an appeals officer.
The appeals officer required further information before making a decision and the case has been referred again to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed the case will be re-submitted to an appeals officer for determination of his means and his rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
501.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the full rate of unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned has been assessed with means of £21.90 weekly from 2 July 1984. His means are derived from capital and an assurance company pension. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £9.85 being the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £21.90. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal and to have his means determined by an appeals officer. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
502.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a family income supplement will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
It has been decided that family income supplement is not payable to the person concerned on the ground that the weekly rate of supplement calculated in his case is less than £1, the minimum amount payable under the relevant legislation. The claimant has been notified of the decision and of his right to appeal if he is dissatisfied with it.