asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the rate of unemployment assistance will be increased for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford further to his recent appeal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
41.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from self-employment, exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and an appeals officer assessed him with means of £48.75 weekly. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance of £6.05 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £54.80 less means of £48.75. He applied for a review of his means on 14 April 1986 and arrangements are being made to refer his papers to the social welfare officer for reinvestigation. When these inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, his means will be assessed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable will be determined accordingly.
42.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a living alone allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Louth who is in receipt of a retirement pension.
The person concerned is in receipt of a retirement pension since 30 May 1985. He submitted a claim for a living alone allowance in March 1986. The local social welfare officer has been asked to investigate his entitlement to this allowance and a decision will be made when the officer's report is received.
43.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be communicated to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who appealed against a reduction in the rate of unemployment assistance on 3 January 1986.
The person concerned appealed against the means assessment on his unemployment assistance claim, and arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal it was necessary to return the papers to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
The inquiries were recently completed, and the papers were submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means at the earliest available opportunity. The person concerned will be informed of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible.
He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £10.85 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £58.35 less means of £47.50, derived from the profit from his holding. Further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
44.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be granted on appeal to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment and capital exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and, arising from contentions made by him in support of his appeal, it was necessary to return the papers to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. On the recent completion of the inquiries the case was referred to an appeals officer who has decided to hold an oral hearing of the appeal. The person concerned will be notified of the date and venue for the hearing as soon as these arrangements have been made.
He will be informed of the outcome of the appeal and of the decision on his entitlement to unemployment assistance as quickly as possible.
45.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will make a statement regarding the benefits due to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if an oral hearing of his appeal can be arranged shortly in view of his need.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for employment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 27 March 1986 but, following inquiries, his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for employment. He appealed against the disallowance and furnished evidence of his efforts to obtain employment. In the light of the fresh evidence, a deciding officer revised the earlier decision and arrangements are being made to pay all moneys due, as soon as possible.
46.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an appeal against the decision to reduce unemployment assistance by £10 to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim, the means of the person concerned were assessed, with effect from 5 September 1984, at £10 weekly, derived from self-employment as a fisherman. He is, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at £82.35 weekly, being the maximum appropriate rate payable in his case of £92.35 less means of £10. He recently applied for a review of his means and his papers were referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. The rate of unemployment assistance payable will be determined in the light of the investigation and the person concerned will be informed of the outcome as quickly as possible. Further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.