asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an increase in unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
58.
The person concerned applied for a review of his means and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. When the inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are completed, 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 £37.80 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £76.95, less means of £39.15, derived from benefit from his wife's earnings. Further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due.
59.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on an appeal for unemployment benefit made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking employment.
The unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was disallowed from 6 January 1986 on the grounds that she was not available for and genuinely seeking employment. She appealed against the disallowance but following an oral hearing of her case on 19 March 1986 an appeals officer disallowed her appeal.
The person concerned again claimed unemployment benefit on 27 March 1986. Inquiries are being made to establish whether she now fulfils the condition of being available for and genuinely seeking employment. When these inquiries are completed, her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined, and she will be informed of the decision as quickly as possible.
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment benefit could not be determined until inquiries had been made to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for work. These inquiries were recently completed and her claim was allowed at £34.70 weekly, which is the maximum flat rate unemployment benefit, appropriate to a married woman. All arrears due will be paid this week and further weekly payments will be made as they become due. Inquiries, which will be completed as soon as possible, are being made to ascertain whether she is entitled to pay-related benefit.
Question No. 61 withdrawn.
62.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total amount paid by way of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance, both locally and by post, at each of the following offices, during 1985; Dunfanaghy, Dungloe; Letterkenny; Ballybofey; Buncrana; Donegal; Ballyshannon; Carrick-on-Shannon; Manorhamilton; Cavan; Bailieborough; Belturbet; Drogheda; Dundalk; Ardee; Carrickmacross; Castleblayney; Clones and Monaghan.
Statistics are not kept in such a form as would enable the information sought by the Deputy to be readily supplied. The compilation of the information sought by the Deputy would involve a very considerable amount of staff time and resources and, due to other work commitments, cannot be undertaken at present.
63.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a supplementary welfare allowance has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Meath in view of the fact that she has no means.
It is understood from the NorthEastern Health Board, which administers the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in County Meath, that the person concerned has been in receipt of a supplementary welfare allowance at the maximum rate since 14 March 1986.
A supplement to the allowance in respect of her rent was withdrawn when evidence was received that she was not living alone. The board is being asked to re-examine her entitlement to the supplement.