asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
105.
There is no record of the person concerned having claimed unemployment assistance at Galway employment exchange.
He was paid disability benefit for a total of 52 weeks from 12 January 1976 to 11 January 1977, when his entitlement to further benefit ceased as he had not the required minimum of 156 contributions paid since his entry into insurance. He has continued to submit medical certificates and credited contributions have been awarded on foot of these.
106.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited at the appropriate class in the contribution period governing entitlement to benefit.
Following inquiries it has been decided that the employment of the person concerned during the period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984, which governed entitlement to unemployment benefit on her claim of 29 October 1985, was not insurable at a class which provides cover against unemployment.
107.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding on the unemployment assistance appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a review of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed with means of £36 weekly effective from 11 September 1985, derived from the value of board and lodging on his parents' holding. This exceeded the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him and his claim was, accordingly, disallowed from that date.
According to the Department's records, the person concerned did not appeal against the amount of the means assessed against him. If he wishes to appeal, a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office. He has not signed at his local office since 10 September 1985.
108.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding on the unemployment assistance appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned appealed against the means assessment of his unemployment assistance claim and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
The inquiries in this case have been very protracted because the social welfare officer was unable to obtain the information necessary to complete his report. It is expected however that the inquiries will be completed very shortly and his case will then be referred to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity. The rate of unemployment assistance payable will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
The person concerned is at present entitled to unemployment assistance of 15p weekly, being the appropriate rate in his case of £33.80 less means of £33.65. The delay in this case is regretted.
109.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the maximum rate of unemployment assistance to be paid immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Galway backdated to September 1985.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £10 weekly, derived from self-employment as a fisherman.
He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £74.65 weekly, being the appropriate rate payable in his case of £84.65, less means of £10.
If the person concerned considers that his means have changed since the last investigation it is open to him to apply for a reassessment of means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office. Weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
110.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal against a reduction in unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £11.15 weekly. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £22.65 weekly, being the appropriate rate payable in his case of £33.80 less means of £11.15.
The person concerned has not to date appealed against the means assessment and it is open to him to do so. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office. Weekly payments are continuing to be made as they become due.
111.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal against a reduction in unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned appealed against the means assessment on his unemployment assistance claim and, arising from contentions raised in the appeal, the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
When the inquiries are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination and the rate of unemployment assistance payable will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £21.25 weekly, being the appropriate rate in his case of £33.80 less means of £12.55 derived from the value of board and lodging and from self-employment as a fisherman. Weekly payments are continuing to be made as they become due.
112.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal against a reduction in unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim for unemployment assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquiries in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
113.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Under the provision of section 35 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981, a person who loses his employment by reason of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute at his place of employment is disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit unless he comes within certain categories which are exempt from this general disqualification. The claim to unemployment benefit of the person concerned, from 9 December 1985 was disallowed by a deciding officer under this section of the Act.
He recently appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer at the earliest available opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. The person concerned ceased to prove unemployment after 1 January 1986.
114.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will restore payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 3 December 1985, after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee as soon as possible. His entitlement to benefit will then be reviewed in the light of the medical referee's report.
115.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for immediate payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He failed to supply particulars of his capital. He recently appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to refer his case to an appeals officer for determination of his means. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
116.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for a transfer from an invalidity pension to a retirement pension for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
There is no record of receipt of a claim for retirement pension from the person concerned. A retirement pension claim form has been issued to her and her entitlement will be examined when she returns the completed form to the Department.
117.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the four months' delay in the payment of an unmarried mother's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; when this money will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned applied for unmarried mother's allowance on 22 October 1985. She was visited by a social welfare officer in connection with the claim on 23 January 1986. The delay was caused by pressure of work owing to the general increase in claim numbers experienced for some time and the reduced availability of staff. On receipt of the officer's report, which is expected within a couple of days, a decision will be given on the claim without delay.
118.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has not received payment of unemployment benefit.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 11 November 1985 and following inquiries his claim was recently disallowed for six weeks from the date of last employment, on 21 October 1985, on the grounds that he left his employment voluntarily without just cause. Inquiries had to be made to ascertain the reason the employment was terminated and these inquiries were somewhat protracted because of a discrepancy in the details furnished by the employer and employee.
Arrangements are being made at present to notify the person concerned of the decision and to advise him of his right to appeal against the disallowance. Following the expiry of the period of disallowance, payment of unemployment benefit has been authorised at the appropriate weekly rate of £38.05. Payment, inclusive of arrears, will commence this week and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
119.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed with means of £19.20 weekly, derived from self-employment as a handyman. He appealed against this decision and an appeals officer, on 26 September 1985, also assessed him with means of £19.20.
Accordingly, he is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £60.30 weekly being the maximum weekly rate payable in his case, of £79.50 less means of £19.20. If the person concerned considers that his means have changed it is open to him to apply to have them reviewed. A form for this purpose can be obtained from his local office.
120.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position in regard to an application for an old age pension of a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
There is no record of receipt of an application from the person concerned for transfer to old age contributory pension. He is at present receiving a retirement pension at the rate of £84.20 per week, which is the maximum rate for a person under 80 years whose wife is under 66 years. It would be of no advantage to him to transfer to an old age contributory pension as there would be no increase in the rate of payment.
121.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite an early decision on the unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He failed to supply details of his self-employment as a carpenter. He applied on 15 August 1985 for a review of his means and although he was advised of the consequences of not disclosing his means he failed to co-operate with the social welfare officer and his claim was, accordingly, disallowed.
He appealed, on 20 January 1986, against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to refer his case to an appeals officer for determination of means, at the earliest available opportunity. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to pay arrears of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The person concerned signed at his local office for the period 10 September 1984 to 15 November 1984 and was paid on the basis of a qualification certificate he held at that time, showing means of £20.85 weekly. Subsequent inquiries in October 1985 established that his means were nil for the period in question but due to an oversight, which is regretted, adjusting arrears were not then paid. Arrangements have now been made with his local office to pay arrears amounting to £191.13, due to him, this week. The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum weekly rate of £72.25 and weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
123.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will be paid unemployment assistance.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, made in September 1984 was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against this decision and he was given a further opportunity to disclose his means. The appeals officer also decided that he had failed to furnish details of his means, and he was notified accordingly.
The person concerned applied again in September 1985 to have his means assessed but he again failed to co-operate with the social welfare officer in the investigation of his means and, accordingly, his claim for unemployment assistance has recently been disallowed. He will be informed of the decision and of his right to appeal against it, by his local office.
124.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has signed on at Trim labour exchange in September-October 1985.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on an applicant being the holder of a qualification certificate, and to obtain a qualification certificate an applicant must satisfy certain conditions, including an assessment of means.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 10 September 1985 and the papers were referred to the social welfare officer for investigation of her means. She was not, however, available when the social welfare officer called to interview her, and she has not been in touch with her local office since 22 October 1985. Arrangements will be made to have her means investigated, if she contacts her local office and indicates that she is available for interview.
125.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal lodged on 1 October 1985 of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and the case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer required further information which necessitated the return of the papers to the social welfare officer.
It is anticipated that the inquiries will be completed very shortly and the case will then be referred to the appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. It is understood that the person concerned is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Galway is entitled to dental benefit.
One of the contribution conditions for receipt of dental benefit requires persons over 23 years of age to have had not less than 156 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions were paid. The person concerned claimed dental benefit on 9 December 1985. According to the records of the Department she had a total of 111 weeks of insurable employment up to 5 April 1985. Contributions paid between 6 April and the date of claim, would not have been sufficient to bring the claimant to the required total.
In the circumstances her claim could not be approved. Both the claimant and her dentist were notified accordingly on 31 December 1985. Arising from information supplied by the Deputy it appears that she may have had some earlier employment for which contributions have not been recorded. This matter is being investigated further and the Deputy will be contacted when inquiries have been completed.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when social employment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until extensive inquiries at present being made by a social welfare officer have been completed. The inquiries will be completed as soon as possible and his means will then be assessed.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
128.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding an unemployment assistance appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means, he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal, the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. It is anticipated that the inquiries will be completed this week and the case will then be referred to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of his appeal.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has been claiming disability benefit for a number of weeks and whose employer has apparently closed his business and appears not to have returned her social insurance contributions.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 January 1986. She was not entitled to benefit at the commencement of her claim as according to the records of the Department she had less than the minimum of 26 contributions paid or credited in 1984-85, the contribution year governing her claim.
It has now been ascertained that she had sufficient contributions paid in 1984-85 to qualify for benefit at the maximum rate appropriate to a married woman. All benefit payable to 21 January 1986 the date of the latest medical certificate received has been issued to her.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the refusal to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick although he is available for work and has no means of his own; if he will have this case fully reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He failed to provide particulars of his home circumstances.
If he is now willing to co-operate in the disclosure of his means, it is open to him to inform his local employment office accordingly. His case would then be investigated by a social welfare officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined accordingly.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction in unemployment benefits payable to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The rate of unemployment benefit payable to an applicant is reduced after 156 days of benefit where he does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 280 paid contributions in a seven year period. The person concerned was in receipt of flat rate unemployment benefit at the maximum rate appropriate in his case until 24 December 1985 when he exhausted 156 days of benefit. He does not satisfy the contribution condition for further payment at the maximum rate and, accordingly, his weekly rate of unemployment benefit was reduced from £93.70 to £81.10 from 25 December 1985.
Weekly payments of £81.10 will continue to be made as they become due.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when smallholders' assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance cannot be determined until inquiries regarding his means have been completed. The inquiries will be completed as soon as possible and the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth was refused supplementary welfare payments by the North Eastern Health Board.
It is understood from the North Eastern Health Board, which administers the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in County Louth, that the person concerned made an application under the scheme for assistance towards his mortgage repayments. The applicant was advised that before the matter could be further considered he should approach the local authority to which the repayments were being made for a review of the rate of repayment because of his reduced circumstances.
The health board recently reviewed the application and has now awarded an allowance of £25 weekly.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made regarding an application for unemployment assistance on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Longford which was made in early November 1985.
Following the exhaustion of his entitlement to unemployment benefit on 14 March 1985, the person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 15 March 1985 and was paid continuously until 14 January 1986 after which date he ceased to sign as unemployed.
He was paid on the basis of an existing qualification certificate showing means of £7.65 weekly. He was, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the current rate of £26.15 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £33.80 less means of £7.65.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason recipients of disability benefit were excluded from the 75 per cent extra allowance for a week at Christmas.
The special Christmas payment for social welfare recipients has been confined to pensioners and certain other long term beneficiaries since its inception in 1980. Recipients of short term payments such as disability benefit have not been included. This year for the first time the bonus payment was also paid to persons in receipt of unemployment assistance at long term rates. These were considered to be a particularly deserving category. In all some 524,000 persons benefited from the payment at a cost of £20.4 million.
136.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan was refused unemployment benefit.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for work. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 10 December 1985 but her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance on 20 January 1986 and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive unemployment assistance.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. The inquiries, which are extensive, will be completed as soon as possible and the entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will then be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has not received unemployment benefit.
When the person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 6 January 1986 it was necessary to make certain inquiries before the claim could be authorised. The inquiries were completed recently and the claim has been authorised at the appropriate weekly rate of unemployment benefit of £39.50, from 6 January 1986. The person concerned is a postal claimant for unemployment benefit and arrangements have been made to issue a voucher to him this week for encashment at his local post office paying all arrears of unemployment benefit due. The person concerned is also entitled to pay-related benefit of £12.98 weekly with effect from 27 January 1986.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned has been issued to 3 December 1985 after which date no further medical evidence of his incapacity was received in the Department. He has been requested to submit medical evidence of his incapacity subsequent to 3 December 1985 and his employer has been asked to submit details of the period of his absence from work. When this information is received any benefit payable will be issued without delay.
140.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any proposals to extend entitlements to free electricity or television licence in this country to all recipients of invalidity benefit from the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Extension of the schemes in question in the manner suggested by the Deputy would have significant cost implications for these and other schemes administered by the Department. There are no proposals for such an extension in present circumstances.
141.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive an increase in his smallholder's assistance.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £28.85 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. On the basis of the information available in the Department, the person in respect of whom he wishes to claim an increase in his unemployment assistance is not an adult dependant within the meaning of the Social Welfare Acts. Accordingly, he is in receipt of unemployment assistance at £2.90 weekly being the appropriate single rate of £31.75 less means of £28.85. She may however be entitled to claim unemployment assistance in her own right. The situation will be explained to the person concerned when he calls to his local office this week.
142.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has recently been made redundant is not entitled to pay-related insurance benefit.
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 a claimant since the beginning of the income tax year in which the claim is made. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 5 November 1985 and has been in receipt of £74.50, which is the appropriate maximum rate applicable in his case, since that date. The 85 per cent applicable to the person concerned was calculated at £73.16 and as the flat rate of unemployment benefit payable exceeds that amount, pay-related benefit is not payable in this case.
143.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an application for a contributory old age pension for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and when it is hoped to have the final decision made on this application.
A claim for contributory old age pension was received from the person concerned on 8 January 1986. He has been awarded the pension at the maximum personal rate with effect from 11 October 1985, i.e. three months prior to the receipt of his claim. A contributory old age pension book containing orders payable from 3 January 1986 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by him and he has been notified accordingly. The amount of pension for the period from 11 October 1985 to 2 January 1986 will be issued to him by payable order in the next few days. His wife is in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension at a rate which exceeds the amount of the adult dependant allowance to which he would otherwise be entitled in respect of her.
144.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be paid 50 per cent disability as stated in a letter dated 19 October 1985.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 24 October 1985. Payment of benefit was not issued on her claim because of an administrative error. However, the matter has now been rectified and all benefit payable from 24 October 1985 to 1 February 1986, in accordance with medical certificates received, has now been issued to her.
As the person concerned is in receipt of a contributory widow's pension, therefore, disability benefit is paid at half the single rate.
145.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if free telephone rental will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
To qualify for a free telephone rental allowance, a person in receipt of a qualifying pension must be living alone or only with children under 15 years of age or other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon aid in an emergency.
An application for the allowance from the person concerned was rejected in 1984, as his wife was not, from the information furnished, permanently incapacitated as required by the scheme.
There is no record in the Department of receipt of any further application for the allowance from the person concerned. However, if he now considers that he satisfies the conditions for receipt of the allowance it is open to him to make a fresh application. Application forms are available at post offices.
146.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding applications for invalidity benefit made by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned was examined on 12 December 1985 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work. A deciding officer decided that he was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension.
However, arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.
147.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the circumstances in which his investigating officer decided that a person (details supplied) in County Carlow was not available for employment; and if he will now arrange to have her claim for unemployment benefit approved.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 2 December 1985 after having been in receipt of disability benefit from July 1982. A deciding officer, on the basis of the facts before him, which indicated that she had made no efforts to secure employment disallowed her claim on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed, on 16 January 1986, against the disallowance and her case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity.
Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
148.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick against a decision refusing him unemployment assistance.
The unemployment assistance claim dated 8 November 1984, of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit. He was informed of the disallowance and ceased signing at his local office on 29 January 1985. According to the records of the Department the person concerned did not appeal against the disallowance of his claim.
He reapplied for unemployment assistance on 25 November 1985 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means. When the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to a qualification certificate will be determined accordingly. The person concerned has not signed at his local office since 25 November 1985.
149.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £16 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodging on his parents' holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of £15.75 weekly, being the appropriate maximum weekly rate in his case of £31.75 less means of £16.
He appealed against the means assessment on 15 January 1986 and his case has been referred to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
150.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an invalidity pension has yet not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who suffers from severe coronary artery disease; and when this will be granted to him.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. Arrangements are being made to have the person concerned examined by a medical referee. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.