asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 for unemployment assistance, as this person is not in receipt of any income.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
88.
The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 5 July 1985 as a married man with one dependent child and was assessed with means of £51.45 weekly, derived from benefit from his wife's earnings. He was, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £13.10 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £64.55 less means of £51.45, until he ceased signing at his local office in August 1985.
When he applied for unemployment assistance on 7 January 1986 he indicated that he was separated from his wife and it was, accordingly, necessary to refer his papers to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of his means.
A definite arrangement was made to interview the person concerned within the past few days and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome. Prior to the definite arrangement the social welfare officer made several visits to the house address given by the person concerned but he was not available for interview.
89.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly is only receiving £27.60 per week unemployment assistance in view of the fact that he is married with three children.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £51.90 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £27.60 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £79.50 less means of £51.90.
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. Further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
90.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has been reached on the application of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly for unemployment assistance.
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 28 January 1986 and his papers were then 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 determined accordingly.
91.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Galway has received full unemployment assistance since his first application made in January 1985.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed, with effect from 28 January 1985, with means of £23.50 weekly derived from the benefit of board and lodging in his parents' home.
He was, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £7.40 weekly from 28 January 1985 to 2 July 1985 being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £30.90 less means of £23.50, increasing to £9.25 weekly from 3 July to 6 October 1985 when the applicant ceased signing at his local office.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him but an appeals officer also assessed him with means of £23.50 weekly. He resumed signing at his local office on 24 February 1986, and weekly payments of £9.25 will continue to be made as they become due.
92.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Offaly has been refused unemployment benefit in view of the fact that he was in receipt of same up to two weeks ago.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to 390 days unemployment benefit on 18 February 1986. A person who has exhausted entitlement to unemployment benefit cannot requalify for benefit until he has a further 13 weeks of employment which is insurable at a 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 does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 13 requalification contributions.
He then applied for unemployment assistance and, following investigation, his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from capital and from the benefit of board and lodging on his brother's holding, exceeded the maximum rate payable in his case. A form to enable the person concerned to appeal against the means assessment has been issued to him but to date it has not been returned.
93.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an appeal in respect of a decision not to grant unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be heard.
Following reinvestigation, 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. The person concerned has not to date appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and it is open to him to do so. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
94.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick with regard to an appeal against a decision in not granting unemployment assistance; and if an oral hearing can be arranged.
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 and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal and also certain points raised by the appeals officer the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
When these extensive inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, the papers will be resubmitted to an appeals officer for determination of means at the earliest available opportunity. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the appeals officer's decision. The request of the person concerned for an oral hearing has been brought to the attention of the appeals officer.
95.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision will be made with regard to the application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick and if this case will be expedited.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed with means of £23.55 weekly, derived from the profit from a shop. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £82.05 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £105.60 less means of £23.55.
Due to an oversight, however, he was paid at the weekly rate of £80.05 only. Arrangements have been made with his local office to put the claim into payment at the correct rate and to pay all arrears due this week.
The person concerned recently appealed against the means assessment and his case has been submitted 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 appeals officer's decision.
96.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish particulars of her means she failed to show that her means did not exceed the statutory limit. She recently appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions made by her in support of the appeal the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
When the inquiries are completed her case will be submitted 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 the appeal.
97.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
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.