asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and how means were assessed in this case.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
53.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £36.88 weekly derived from the value of capital and from the beneficial occupation of a half share of a holding. In assessing the value of capital to an applicant for unemployment assistance purposes the weekly value is calculated by taking 5 per cent of the first £400 and 10 per cent of the balance. The sum so calculated is divided by 52 and this figure is deemed to be the weekly value of the capital. The person concerned was treated as having capital amounting to £5,881.86. The value of this capital was accordingly calculated at £568.18 per annum or £10.93 weekly. The net yearly value of the holding was calculated at £2,700 and as the applicant was deemed to enjoy beneficial occupation of a half share, he was assessed with means of £1,350 yearly or £25.95 weekly from that source. The applicant's total means, therefore, were calculated at £1,918.18 yearly, or £36.88 weekly. Accordingly, his claim for unemployment assistance was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him. He appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquires. When these inquiries are completed his case will be referred to an appeals officer for determination of means and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
54.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will approve a pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned claimed a retirement pension on 1 September 1985. One of the conditions for receipt of retirement pension under the Social Welfare Acts requires the claimant to have a yearly average of at least 24 reckonable contributions over the period from 5 January 1953 or from his year of entry into insurance, whichever is the later, to the end of the last complete contribution year before reaching the pension age. He has no record of insurance under the Social Welfare Acts and does not, therefore, qualify for a retirement pension from the Department. Neither did he qualify for an old age contributory pension on reaching age 66 on 14 October 1985. A yearly average of at least 20 over a similar period is required for this latter pension. His British contributions could only be taken into account to qualify him for a pro rata retirement or old age contributory pension under EC regulations if he had a record of Irish insurance since 5 January 1953. He stated on the claim form that he is in receipt of a pension from the British Department of Health and Social Security.
55.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will explain how the amount being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly was calculated in respect of a contributory retirement pension.
The person concerned is in receipt of a retirement pension at the rate of £49.05 per week. This is the rate appropriate to her yearly average of 32 reckonable contributions over the period from the beginning of the 1965 contribution year to 5 April 1984. She had a total of 616 reckonable contributions in this period. A yearly average of at least 48 reckonable contributions is required to qualify for the pension at the maximum rate which is £51.40 per week at present. Her employment since 1980 was insurable at the reduced rate applicable to permanent and pensionable public servants. These contributions do not include any element of cover for retirement pension or old age contributory pension and are not reckonable for either pension.
56.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free TV licence has not been allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Galway despite the fact that she has been living alone; if she will direct her Department to sanction this immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned submitted an application for a free electricity allowance and this has been approved with effect from the date on which she became the registered consumer of electricity. She was notified accordingly on 17 February 1986. Persons approved for a free electricity allowance are also entitled to a free television licence which may be obtained on production of their pension book and the approval notice for a free electricity allowance at their local post office.
57.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit or assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will now direct her Department to make immediate payment; the date that payment will be made; and the amount including arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim for unemployment benefit or assistance which refers to the person named in the details supplied. Further inquires in the matter will be made if the Deputy will furnish additional information to enable the person concerned to be identified.
58.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons no decision has yet been made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose claim for unemployment benefit was originally disallowed, and who subsequently appealed the decision early in 1985.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 3 December 1984 to 18 March 1985 and his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for work. He appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of his appeal on 15 May 1985. The appeals officer also decided that he was not available for work. He made a further application for unemployment benefit on 14 May 1985 and following inquiries to establish what efforts he had made to secure employment his claim was again disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for work. He did not appeal against the disallowance although advised of his right to do so.
In addition, the matter of the insurability of the employment of the person concerned is being investigated. Extensive inquiries are being made and every effort is being made to have these inquiries completed at an early stage. The person concerned has continued to sign the unemployed register and his entitlement to unemployment benefit will again be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the inquiries and of any fresh evidence of his availability for work.
59.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware of the financial circumstances of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will grant early approval to his application for an increase in his present unemployment assistance allowance of £9.65 per week.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £82.70 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £9.65 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £92.35 less means of £82.70. He appealed against the means assessment and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When the inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, the papers will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means at the earliest available opportunity, and the rate of unemployment assistance payable will be reviewed in the light of the outcome. Weekly payments of £9.65 will continue to be made as they become due.
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the payment of arrears of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 22 November 1985 and pending an investigation of his means by a social welfare officer his claim was put into payment immediately as he had a qualification certificate which had been issued to him in connection with an earlier claim. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum weekly rate of £84.65. There are no arrears due to the person concerned, and further weekly payments of £84.65 will continue to be made as they become due.
61.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if her Department will now approve an application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that an applicant must be available for and genuinely seeking work. The claim of the person concerned was disallowed on and from 20 November 1985 on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of his case on 14 January 1986. The appeals officer also decided that he was not available for employment. He was notified of this decision on 15 January 1986. He made a repeat claim for unemployment assistance on 20 January 1986. Inquiries are being made at present to establish if he now satisfies the required conditions for receipt of unemployment assistance. When these inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined.
62.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
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 22 November 1985 and the papers were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. Following the completion of inquiries, the person concerned was assessed with means of £11.65 weekly derived mainly from the value of board and lodging on his parents' holding. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £20.10 weekly being the maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75 less means of £11.65. Arrangements have been made with his local office to pay a current week and any arrears due this week, and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
63.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is no longer in receipt of free telephone rental.
A free telephone rental allowance cannot be granted to the person concerned as she is under age 66 years and is in receipt of a widow's pension which is not a qualifying payment for the purpose of that benefit, in the case of persons under that age. When the allowance was originally awarded to her she was in receipt of an invalidity pension which is a qualifying payment for that purpose.
64.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford is only being paid £22.60 per week unemployment assistance.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £9.15 weekly, derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parent's home. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £22.60 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75 less means of £9.15.
If dissatisfied, it is open to the person concerned to appeal against the means assessment. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local employment office. Further weekly payments of £22.60 will continue to be made as they become due.
65.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive unemployment benefit applied for on 3 January 1986.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 30 December 1985 and following inquiries, her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. It is open to her to appeal against the disallowance of her claim and a form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
66.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive a single woman's allowance.
The person concerned applied for single woman's allowance on 10 January 1986 and her case was referred to the social welfare officer for investigation of her means. Her entitlement to the allowance will be determined in the light of the outcome of these investigations, which will be completed as soon as possible.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has been signing for a long period of time; if she will make an immediate payment; the total amounts, weekly and arrears, that will be paid to this person and the date of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following investigation of her unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at nil. She was, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate payable in her case of £31.75.
All arrears due, amounting to £332.50, were paid to her on 28 November 1985. An amount of £100 was refunded to the health board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance advanced to her pending the outcome of her claim. The person concerned ceased to sign as unemployed on 5 December 1985.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed, with effect from 13 November 1985, with means of £30.75 weekly. His means are derived from the value of board and lodgings on his father's holding. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £3.05 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80 less means of £30.75. All arrears due were paid to him on 16 January 1986.
He recently appealed against the means assessment and arrangements are being made to refer the papers to an appeals officer who will determine the means at the earliest available opportunity. The rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision. The person concerned ceased to sign as unemployed on 31 December 1985.
69.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an increase in unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £16.25 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging in his parent's home. Following a reinvestigation of his means, a deciding officer revised the previous decision and assessed his means at £8.10 weekly from 2 May 1985 to 20 August 1985 and £10.60 weekly from 21 August 1985. The person concerned is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £21,35 weekly from 2 May 1985, being the then appropriate rate in his case of £29.95 less means of £8.60, increased to £23.15 from 3 July and reduced to £21.15 from 12 August 1985. Arrangements have been made with his local office to pay any arrears due this week. Further payments will continue to be made as they become due.
70.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must be available for work. The person concerned, who was last employed on 24 January 1986, claimed unemployment benefit on 28 January 1986. Inquiries are necessary to establish whether she fulfils the condition of being available for employment. These inquiries, which are continuing, will be completed as soon as possible and her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be considered in the light of the outcome.