asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been unemployed for some time.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
631.
Entitlement to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that the weekly sum of pay-related benefit, flat rate unemployment benefit and income tax rebate may not exceed 85 per cent of the net average weekly earnings of an applicant.
The 85 per cent limit applicable to the person concerned is £29.44 and as the flat rate unemployment benefit payable since 31 July 1984 is £96.55 per week pay-related benefit is not payable in this case.
632.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for payment of unemployment benefit on Fridays to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who at present is working a week-on-week-off system of short time.
The person concerned is one of a group of persons employed by a firm which is at present working on a week-on-week-off basis. The arrangements adopted for payment of unemployment benefit in respect of weeks off were discussed with the employment exchange in advance of their implementation. However, if the person concerned or any others of the group wish to have their pay arrangements reviewed they should discuss the matter with the employment exchange staff who will facilitate them insofar as possible.
633.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his Department include for assessment of pay-related benefit a potential tax rebate which a beneficiary has not yet received and may not receive for many months.
In the case of a claimant to unemployment benefit, regulations provide that entitlement to pay-related benefit is subject to the condition that the weekly sum of pay-related benefit and unemployment benefit, together with the weekly amount of any refund of income tax paid may not exceed 85 per cent of the net average weekly earnings of the claimant prior to the unemployment.
Accordingly, in calculating the amount of pay-related benefit due to a recipient of unemployment benefit, only the amount of a tax rebate actually paid to the recipient should be taken into account.
634.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the delay in the issue of a single parent's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and when it will be paid.
The claim of the person concerned for a social assistance allowance is at present under investigation by a local officer of the Department.
Because of recent changes in her address, difficulties have been experienced in establishing where exactly she resides and this has caused delay in dealing with her case. The officer hopes to call on her at her present address within a week or so and on receipt of his report a decision will be given on her claim without delay. Meanwhile she is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the Eastern Health Board.