asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
125.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and arising from contentions made by him in support of the appeal the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
The inquiries were completed recently and the case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means. The appeals officer decided to hold an oral hearing of the appeal and this was due to take place on 24 February 1986.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the decision of the appeals officer. The person concerned last signed at his local office on 5 November 1985.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, she was assessed with means of £29.40 weekly derived from the value of capital and the benefit from a half share of a holding. She is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at £2.35 weekly being the appropriate maximum weekly rate of £31.75 less means of £29.40.
The person concerned has not appealed against the means assessment to date and it is open to her to do so. A form for this purpose may be obtained from her local office.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the level of social welfare assistance which will be payable to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
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.
Persons in receipt of unemployment benefit are advised by their local offices to apply for a qualification certificate some months prior to the exhaustion of their entitlement to unemployment benefit to minimise the possibility of delay in determining subsequent entitlement to unemployment assistance. A notification advising the person concerned to apply for a qualification certificate was issued to him on 28 November 1985 and a reminder was issued on 18 December 1985. He did not, however, apply until 16 January 1986 and the papers were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means.
When the inquiries are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance determined, accordingly. It is understood that the person concerned is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance at present.
128.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was refused unemployment benefit from 8 February 1985 as she was deemed eligible for work, yet despite this she had applied for several jobs and had evidence to prove this; if this decision will be rescinded; the steps which will be taken to award payments to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for employment.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 18 February 1985 but following the completion of inquiries her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed against the disallowance and at an oral appeal hearing on 23 May 1985 she was given the opportunity of presenting her case. The appeals officer, however, also decided that she was not available for employment and she was notified of that decision. An appeals officer's decision is final in the absence of fresh evidence or new facts. She ceased to sign as unemployed at her local office after 24 May 1985.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to have an application for unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny investigated as soon as possible with a view to having such assistance granted.
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.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of children's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Louth in respect of an additional child born on 2 December 1985.
A claim for children's allowance in respect of the child in question was received on 13 January 1986 and the appropriate allowance book was issued on 14 February 1986 to the claimant's home address.
Due to a clerical error this claim was not dealt with as promptly as normal; any inconvenience caused is regretted.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the evidence submitted in support of her application for unemployment benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow, she will now approve of her application.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for work. The claim of the person concerned was disallowed on and from 2 December 1985 on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing of her case on 10 February 1986. The appeals officer allowed her appeal and all arrears due were paid to her last week. Further payments of unemployment benefit at the appropriate rate of £32.75 weekly, will be made as they become due.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 3 January 1986. Inquiries had to be made to ascertain the reason his employment was terminated with his previous employer. These inquiries, which are now completed, were somewhat protracted because of certain discrepancies in the details furnished. His claim has been allowed at £93.70 weekly, being the maximum flat rate unemployment benefit appropriate in his case.
He is a postal applicant and a voucher for encashment at his local post office in respect of payment to week ending 18 February 1986, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which he received pending the outcome of his claim, issued to him on 20 February 1986. Further weekly payments will issue to him as they become due.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has been signing at Trim employment exchange since September 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 fulfil certain conditions including an assessment of means. The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 23 September 1985 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of means. He was not, however, available for interview, regarding his means when the social welfare officer called on a number of occasions to interview him and he ceased signing on 29 October 1985.
He reapplied for unemployment assistance on 10 February 1986 and following completion of the social welfare officer's inquiries arrangements are being made to refer the case to a deciding officer for assessment of means. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
134.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be paid unemployment benefit further to her recent appeal including documentation stating her efforts to obtain work.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that an applicant must be available for work. The claim of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for work. She recently appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have her case determined by an appeals officer. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
135.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will consider amending the regulations relating to free telephone rental allowance as certain public sector pensioners are not entitled to this allowance on the grounds that many of them are in receipt of less income than eligible contributory or retirement pensioners from her Department who have additional superannuation pensions from their previous employment, and if she will give particular reference to such examples as a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is in such a position.
The free telephone rental allowance scheme was introduced as a measure of assistance for recipients of social welfare type pensions. Of its very nature, therefore, it excludes persons who do not receive such a qualifying payment. Any person, whose means are sufficiently low, may qualify for a non-contributory old age pension which will entitle him, subject to the other conditions of the scheme being satisfied, to a free telephone rental allowance. Inclusion of recipients of non-social welfare type pensions would have serious cost implications for this and other similar schemes administered by the Department and there are no proposals for such an extension in present circumstances.
The person concerned is not in receipt of a qualifying payment for a free telephone rental allowance. Neither are his means, from the information available, sufficiently low to qualify him for an old age non-contributory pension. A free telephone rental allowance cannot, therefore, be granted to him.
136.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on an applicant being the holder of a qualification certificate and to obtain a qualification certificate a person must satisfy certain conditions including an assessment of means. When the person concerned claimed unemployment assistance the papers were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. He was not available for interview when the officer originally called to interview him. Further efforts were made to interview him and the report was recently completed. Arrangements are being made to refer his case to a deciding officer for determination of means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him.
137.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an appeal against a decision to withdraw unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and when a decision will be made on this appeal.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £53.85 weekly, derived from the beneficial occupation of a holding and benefit from his wife's earnings. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at £4.50 weekly being the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case of £58.35 less means of £53.85. 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. The inquiries, which were very protracted, were completed recently.
Arrangements are now being made for the submission of the papers to an appeals officer for determination of means, at the earliest available opportunity. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned will be reviewed in the light of the outcome. In the meantime weekly payments are continuing to be made as they become due. The delay in this case is regretted.
138.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis on which a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan was disallowed unemployment benefit.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for employment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 10 December 1985 and on the information available, her claim was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that she was not available for employment.
She appealed against the disallowance and attended an oral hearing on 12 February 1986 at which she was given the opportunity of presenting her case, but the appeals officer also decided she was not available for employment. She continues to sign the unemployed register and her claim will again be reviewed in the near future regarding her availability for employment, from the day following the appeals officer's decision.
139.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan for a higher rate of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned was assessed, with effect from 12 December 1983, with means of £9.60 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £75.05 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £84.65, less means of £9.60.
He applied for a review of his means last November and the papers were referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation. However, when the social welfare officer called to his home he was not available for interview. The person concerned has been advised to make himself available for interview by the social welfare officer and when the inquiries are completed, his means will be assessed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable will be reviewed accordingly.
140.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the assessment of means which had been made in relation to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who is in receipt of unemployment assistance and who claims to have spent all his redundancy money on household items and furniture; and if the matter can now be reviewed urgently.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £17.75 weekly derived from the value of capital. He failed to satisfactorily account for the disposal of capital amounting to £9,410.00 and the capital was regarded as being in his possession and was assessed for means purposes.
He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £17.20 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £34.95 less means of £17.75. His case will now be referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of means and the rate of unemployment assistance payable will be reviewed in the light of the outcome. Further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
141.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if all arrears of unemployment assistance have been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim of 10 December 1984 the person concerned was assessed with means of £47.65 weekly, and he was paid unemployment assistance on that basis. He appealed against the means assessed against him and an appeals officer reduced the means assessment to £34.20 weekly, derived from self-employment.
He was, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £33.95 weekly being the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case of £68.15 less means of £34.20. He was however in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his appeal and all adjusting arrears of unemployment assistance arising from the reduction in the means assessment were refunded to the health board.
Following a review he was assessed with nil means from 2 July 1985 and was in receipt of unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case, of £72.25, until he ceased signing at his local office, on 20 October 1985.
142.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment will be made of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; when arrears due since 9 September 1985 will be paid; the amount to be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed, with effect from 9 September 1985, with nil means.
He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at the appropriate maximum weekly rate of £31.75. The person concerned was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance, pending the outcome of his claim. Following verification of the amount due to be recouped to the health board, the person concerned was paid adjusting arrears of £41.30 last week, and adjusting arrears due for the period 9 September to 23 October 1985, amounting to £27.42 will be paid to him this week. Further weekly payments of £31.75 will continue to be made as they become due.
143.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the disability benefit appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be held; and the reason for the delay.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 17 October 1985 after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She appealed against the disallowance of benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 17 December 1985 who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
Her appeal has been referred to an appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing of her claim as soon as possible. It is not yet possible to supply a specific date for the hearing due to the large volume of appeals on hand. However, the person concerned will be notified accordingly as soon as the necessary arrangements have been completed.
144.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in relation to his recent claim concerning short time working.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year.
The person concerned, a systematic short time worker, working three days each week, claimed unemployment benefit on 9 January 1986. Inquiries had to be made to establish if his employment during the relevant contribution period 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985, which governed his claim, was insurable at a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment.
These inquiries were recently completed and his claim was allowed at the maximum appropriate daily rate of £7.90. All arrears due were paid on 20 February 1985 and further payments will continue to be made as they become due.
145.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in relation to her recent claim for short time working.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year.
The person concerned, a systematic short time worker who is employed for three days weekly, claimed unemployment benefit on 7 January 1986. According to the Department's records, she did not satisfy the contribution condition of having 26 contributions paid or credited in the contribution period 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985 which governed her claim of 7 January 1986.
The matter of non-payment of contributions was investigated by a social welfare officer. The investigations have now been completed and her claim has been allowed at the appropriate rate of unemployment benefit of £7.90, from 7 January 1986. All arrears of unemployment benefit due were paid last week and further payments will continue to be made as they become due.
146.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on the application for unemployment assistance which was made by a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan last August.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution period.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 23 August 1985. However, as she was employed in the UK during the governing contribution year 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984, her entitlement to unemployment benefit could not be established until extensive inquiries had been made to ascertain her contribution record in that country.
This Department has now been informed by the Department of Health and Social Security, Belfast, that the person concerned had reached the retirement age of 60 years on 27 January 1983 and any employment engaged in after that date was not insurable at a rate which provides cover against unemployment.
Therefore, as she does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 26 contributions paid or credited at the appropriate rate in the governing period 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984, her claim has, accordingly, been disallowed.
147.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the unemployment payment of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is being drastically reduced.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to 390 days unemployment on 15 January 1986. He was, up to that date, in receipt of flat-rate unemployment benefit at £74.50 weekly, being the appropriate rate for a married man with one child. In addition he was in receipt of pay-related benefit at the rate of £3.27 weekly.
He applied for unemployment assistance on 16 January 1986 and his claim was authorised at £67.05 weekly, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with one child dependent. On 17 February 1986 his child reached 18 years of age and the rate of unemployment assistance payable was consequently reduced to £58.35 weekly, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man. Further weekly payments of £58.35 will continue to be made as they become due.
148.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for an invalidity pension of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; if a decision on the matter or the appeal thereof, can be processed with all possible speed having regard to the financial need of the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned has been awarded an invalidity pension from 15 August 1985. A pension book payable from 20 March 1986 will be issued to the designated post office of payment. Arrears in respect of the period from 15 August 1985 to 19 March 1986, less the amount of disability benefit paid during that period, will be paid by payable order.
149.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not been paid an increased rate of disability benefit.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 23 July 1984 and is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £34.70, the maximum rate for a married woman dependent upon her husband.
She was paid at a reduced weekly rate of benefit from 26 July 1984 to 6 January 1986. However, it has now been established that she was entitled to the maximum rate of benefit for this period. Accordingly, arrears of benefit were issued on 25 February 1986.
150.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give a breakdown of the means assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny presently stated as being £42.50 weekly, who is an applicant for a single woman's allowance.
The person concerned was assessed with weekly means of £42.30, derived from income from a holding which she shares jointly with her nephew. The net yearly value of the holding was assessed at £4,400, with the income from the half share of the person concerned therefore amounting to £2,200.
The assessment of the value of the holding was based on a gross annual income of £4,750 less expenses incurred in earning that income, amounting to £350. The application of the person concerned for a single woman's allowance, was disallowed as the means assessed against her exceeded the statutory limit.
151.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who was in receipt of disability benefit until November 1985 and claimed unemployment assistance in mid-December 1985 will receive payment for the period between receipt of disability benefit and unemployment assistance.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that a person must be capable of work. The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to disability benefit on 14 November 1985. However, he continued to submit medical evidence of incapacity to 14 December 1985. He furnished a certificate of fitness on 16 December 1985 and simultaneously claimed unemployment assistance. His claim was allowed from that date.
He applied for retrospective payment of unemployment assistance for the period 15 November 1985 to 14 December 1985 but his application was not allowed, on the grounds that he did not satisfy the condition of being capable of work during that period. He has been advised accordingly.
152.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum amount of a contributory pension has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
One of the qualifying conditions for receipt of contributory pension under the Social Welfare Acts requires the person concerned to have a yearly average of at least 20 reckonable contributions over the period from 4 January 1954 to 5 April 1985, i.e. the end of the last complete contribution year before he reached age 66. He does not satisfy this condition as the Department's records show that he had a total of only 617 Irish contributions in the required period. This is equal to a yearly average of 19.
Where a person has been employed in another EC country his insurance in that country may be combined with his Irish record to enable him to qualify for a pro rata pension, calculated on the basis of the number of his Irish contributions in proportion to the combined total in the relevant period.
The person concerned has 365 British contributions in addition to his 617 Irish contributions which gives a combined yearly average of 31. This entitles him to a pro rata contributory pension at the current rate of £51.45 per week. He would most probably qualify for a noncontributory old age pension at a higher weekly rate on the basis of the income figures supplied with the question. He should complete and submit the appropriate application form for that pension if he wishes to be considered for the noncontributory pension instead of his present pro rata old age contributory pension.
153.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension book, which was forwarded to her Department three weeks ago for a change of name from the Rehabilitation Centre, Kilkenny, for a recipient (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, will be returned to the person concerned.
An invalidity pension book was forwarded to the person concerned on 14 February 1986.
154.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the criteria laid down to ascertain how a person is deemed unavailable for work, especially in relation to Deputy Crotty's Parliamentary Question No. 160 of Tuesday, 11 February 1986 regarding a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who has been refused unemployment benefit for those days she is not employed, on grounds of unavailability, when this would appear a direct contradiction of the facts.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for employment.
The availability for employment of any claimant is a question which is decided by deciding officers and appeals officers. The criteria which they use are broadly, whether a genuine desire and intention to obtain work is present, whether commitments exist which might limit the person's freedom to accept, or might prevent acceptance of, full time employment which would normally be suitable and whether restrictions are being imposed by the person on the kind, place or hours of employment acceptable, any of which would unreasonably diminish the person's prospects of obtaining work. The decisions on availability are made through the interpretation and application of any or all of these broad criteria in the light of, and in relation to, the facts and evidence available in each particular case.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 28 October 1985 but the claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. The deciding officer took into consideration the fact that the person concerned had not made efforts to obtain work, except at one hospital.
She appealed against the disallowance and arrangements are being made to have her case determined by an appeals officer at the earliest available opportunity. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
155.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason payment of unemployment benefit was discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
A person who has exhausted entitlement to unemployment benefit cannot requalify for benefit until she has a further 13 weeks of employment which is insurable at a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment. Any weeks of insurable employment after 156 days of benefit have been drawn are counted for this purpose.
The person concerned exhausted her entitlement to 312 days unemployment benefit on 12 September 1985. Contributions paid by her after the 157th day of benefit were in respect of employment of a casual nature and inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are being made to establish whether her employment for that period was at a class which provides cover against unemployment. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined in the light of the outcome of the investigations. The delay in this case is regretted.
156.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unemployment assistance applied for four weeks ago, will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is a recipient of supplementary welfare allowance.
According to the Department's records the person concerned last signed the unemployed register on 12 November 1983. However, if he is currently unemployed, available for and genuinely seeking work, it is open to him to attend his local employment office and make an application for unemployment assistance.
157.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 January 1986 and is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £102.40, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with four dependent children. There was a delay in payment, due to a departmental error, which is regretted; however, all benefit payable up to 17 February 1986 has now been issued to him.
158.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan was refused unemployment benefit.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for full time employment. When the person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 12 December 1985 he stated that he was available for part time work only and consequently his claim was disallowed. He was advised of his right of appeal but so far he has not done so.
159.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date on which a person (details supplied) in County Galway appealed against the decision to reduce his unemployment assistance; the reason for the long delay in having this appeal considered; and the outcome of this appeal.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim in September 1983, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £40.35 weekly derived from the profit from his holding. He appealed against the means assessment at that time and an appeals officer also assessed his means at £40.35 weekly. He was notified of the appeals officer's decision on 25 October 1984.
He applied for a review of his means in June 1985 and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. The officer called on the person concerned on a number of occasions and requested documentary evidence regarding the number of stock held by him. When the person concerned supplies all the necessary information the report will be completed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable will be reviewed in the light of the means assessed against him. He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £18 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £58.35 less means of £40.35.
160.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date a person (details supplied) in County Galway applied for unemployment assistance; the reason for the delay in having a decision made on his application; and the amount of unemployment assistance being granted to this person.
Following a review the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 22 May 1985 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 full particulars of his holding, transferred to him in 1975.
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, which were necessarily extensive, were recently completed and a deciding officer revised a previous decision and assessed his means at £19.20 weekly derived from profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at £14.60 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80 less means of £19.20. Weekly payments will commence this week. The person concerned was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of his claim and when the amount advanced is known that health board will be recouped and the remaining unemployment assistance, if any, will be issued to the person concerned. Further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
161.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be finalised.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £43.90 weekly, derived from the benefit from his wife's earnings.
He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at £40.75 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £84.65 less means of £43.90. He appealed against the means assessment on 4 February 1986 and his papers have been submitted to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
162.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the unemployment assistance application of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be finalised.
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 January 1986 and his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When these inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
163.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the unemployment assistance application of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be finalised.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with nil means. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate, payable in his case, of £31.75. All arrears due to him were paid on 14 January 1986 and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
164.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be finalised.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed with means of £28.85, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at £88.35 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £117.20 less means of £28.85.
He appealed, on 18 February 1986, against the means assessment and arrangements are being made for submission of the papers to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision. In the meantime, weekly payments of £88.35 will continue to be made as they become due.
165.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly has been disallowed unemployment assistance since he has repaid arrears due to her Department; if his unemployment assistance entitlement will be restored as a matter of urgency; and when this will be done.
Under section 144 (3) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981, a person convicted of an offence under section 144 (1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981, in relation to unemployment assistance shall be disqualified for the receipt of unemployment assistance for a period of six months immediately following the date of the conviction.
The person concerned was convicted of an offence under section 144 (1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981, in respect of charges relating to 13 specified days during the period from 27 July 1984 to 5 October 1984 when he signed the unemployed register, when he was in fact working. In addition to being fined in respect of the offence, he was disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance for a period of six months from 23 January 1986 which is the day immediately following the date of his conviction. Accordingly, he cannot receive unemployment assistance until the six month period has expired.
In the meantime, if he has insufficient means to meet his needs, he should apply to his local health board for supplementary welfare allowance.
166.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the application for unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be finalised and a decision given.
The person concerned reapplied for unemployment assistance on 22 January 1986 and the claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. When the inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly. It is understood that the person concerned is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
167.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a claim for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be finalised.
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 claimed unemployment assistance on 21 November 1985 and the papers were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.
It is expected that the inquiries in this case, which have been very extensive will be completed shortly. The applicant's means will then be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
168.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in relation to an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned reapplied for unemployment assistance on 3 February 1986. Her claim was authorised from that date on the basis of a qualification certificate which has been issued to her in connection with an earlier claim and which recorded means of £4.15. She is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £29.65 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate of £33.80, less means of £4.15.
All arrears due to her were paid on 20 February 1986 and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due. If the person concerned considers that her means have changed since the last investigation it is open to her to apply for a review of her means. A form for this purpose may be obtained at her local office.
169.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons disability payments are not being paid weekly to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who is permanently disabled and in very bad health; if she will now accept monthly certs from her; if she will ensure that proper weekly payments are made in time to her; and if she will make a statement on the reasons for the delay and the inconvenience being caused to her.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned claimed disability benefit from 9 March 1985 and payment of benefit appears to have been issued to her on the receipt in the Department of medical certificates up to 12 February 1986, the date of the latest medical certificate received. Arrangements have now been made to have future disability benefit issued to the person concerned at weekly intervals on receipt of monthly medical certificates while she remains unfit for work.
170.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position in relation to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 who feels that his pension of £45.30 should be higher, but was not allowed on his stamps for 1984-85.
The person concerned is in receipt of old age contributory pension at the rate of £48.25 per week, plus a living alone allowance of £3.40 per week. This is the rate appropriate to his yearly average of 29 reckonable contributions over the period from the beginning of the 1964 contribution year to 5 April 1985. He had a total of 620 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.
The total of 620 contributions includes six paid plus 46 credited contributions for the 1984-85 contribution year. This increased his yearly average from 26 to 29 but did not entitle him to an increase in his weekly rate of pension. The rate of £48.25 is the current rate payable to a person who has a yearly average of from 24 to 29 contributions.
171.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up-to-date position in relation to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who submitted medical certificates from 5 to 17 June 1985, but no payment was made at the time.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 31 December 1984 and all benefit payable in respect of his claim was issued to 12 October 1985 after which date he was certified fit to return to work.
There does not appear to be any record of his having notified the Department that he did not receive payment for the period from 5 June to 17 June 1985 and the cheques issued to him in respect of that period have been cashed and returned to the Department. However, if he did not receive payment for this period, he should notify the Department in writing to that effect and the matter will be looked into.