asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan was reduced to £2.85 weekly.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
125.
Following reinvestigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned he was assessed, with effect from 19 February 1986, with means of £81.80 weekly, derived from the benefit from his wife's earnings, the income from his holding, self-employment and capital. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £2.85 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £84.65 less means of £81.80. It is open to the person concerned to appeal against the means assessment and a form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application for supplementary unemployment assistance made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £59.35, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £106.25 less means of £46.90, derived from the profit from his holding and the value of capital.
He applied for a review of his means on 28 February 1986 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation. When the inquiries are completed his means will be reassessed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable, reviewed accordingly.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has been signing for unemployment assistance since December 1985 and is available for work.
Following investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, she was assessed with means of £38.65 weekly derived from a weekly cash benefit. She is accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £11.95 weekly being the appropriate maximum rate payable in her case of £50.60 less means of £38.65.
Due to an oversight, which is regretted, the claim was not put into payment. The error has now been rectified and weekly payment will commence this week. It is understood that the person concerned was in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance pending a decision on her claim. When the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her is ascertained the remainder of the arrears due, if any, will then be paid.
She appealed against the amount of means assessed against her and arising from contentions made in support of her appeal the papers were referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries were recently completed and her case has now 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.
128.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; 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 means of £26.70 weekly with effect from 26 June 1983, derived from the benefit of board and lodging on his mother's holding and from capital. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £7.10 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80 less means of £26.70. An appeals officer assessed the means of the sister of the person concerned at £24 weekly with effect from 18 April 1984.
She was, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance of £9.80 weekly being the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in her case of £33.80 less means of £24. The papers of both of the persons concerned have been referred to a social welfare officer for an up-to-date investigation of their means. When these inquiries have been completed their means will be reassessed by a deciding officer and the rate of unemployment assistance to which they are entitled determined accordingly.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will carry out an immediate investigation into the case of persons (details supplied) in respect of an investigation for a non-contributory old age pension; if she considers that the action involved by an officer of her Department requires an apology to the aggrieved persons involved; if she will ensure that there is no recurrence of such behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Urgent inquiries are being made in this case but in the time available it has not been possible to obtain full details. When the investigation has been completed the Deputy will be written to and informed of the outcome.