asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit has been refused to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
48.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit up to 29 October 1985, when he had drawn his maximum entitlement to 390 days benefit. To requalify for unemployment benefit he requires at least a further 13 weeks contributions paid at the appropriate class providing cover against unemployment. Weeks of employment since the date on which he received 156 days of unemployment benefit may count for this purpose.
He then applied for unemployment assistance and was paid initially on the basis of a qualification certificate issued in connection with a previous claim showing weekly means of £1. He was, accordingly, in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £75.95, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £76.95 less means of £1.
Following a review of his claim he was disallowed from 12 March 1986 on the grounds that his means derived from benefit from his wife's earnings exceeded the statutory limit. He recently appealed against the disallowance and his case is being referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal. All arrears due on his claim will be paid to him this week and further weekly payments will continue to be made as they become due. When the social welfare officer completes his investigations the means of the person concerned will be reassessed and the weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable will be determined accordingly.
49.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the grounds on which social welfare payments were reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Following reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim in March 1985, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £27.65 weekly derived from profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £39.40 being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £67.05 less means of £27.65.
If he considers that his means have changed since the last investigation, it is open to him to apply for a review of his case. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local employment office. In the meantime, weekly payments of £39.40 will continue to be made as they become due.
50.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and at what rate.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until inquiries by a social welfare officer into his means had been completed. These inquiries were only recently completed and his case is now being submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of his means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the decision of the deciding officer.
51.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is entitled to unemployment benefit; if she will ensure that either unemployment benefit or assistance payments are made to him as soon as possible; and, if so, when.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions which provide cover against unemployment, paid or credited in the contribution year governing the claim.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 3 February 1986. According to the records of the Department he had only 23 contributions in the contribution year 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985, which governed his claim. Therefore, he was not entitled to payment of benefit. However, further inquiries are being made both to establish the number of weeks of insurable employment in the relevant contribution year and also, in view of the part-time nature of the employment, to establish if the employment should be insured at a contribution class which provides cover against unemployment. When the inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be determined.
Pending a decision on his unemployment benefit claim the person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and following investigation of his means by the social welfare officer his entitlement was determined at £31.75 weekly, that is the maximum appropriate rate payable in his case. All arrears due on the claim less a refund of supplementary welfare allowance paid to him while awaiting a decision on his claim, will be paid this week. Further weekly payments at £31.75 will be made as they become due.
52.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the unemployment assistance application of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when all arrears due will be paid.
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.
53.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath for seven weeks when certificates were sent to the Department.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 28 January 1986 when payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who considered him to be capable of work. He appealed the decision to disallow benefit and was examined by a different medical referee on 2 April 1986 who also expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
His appeal was referred to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer, after holding an oral hearing at which the claimant was present, decided that he was not incapable of work within the meaning of the Social Welfare Acts during the period from 29 January 1986 to 8 March 1986 (after which date he was certified fit to resume work by his own doctor) and is not entitled to be paid disability benefit in respect of that period. He was informed of the appeals officer's decision on 2 May 1986.
54.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the reinstatement of unemployment assistance payment to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who has been waiting for almost six months for a decision in respect of an appeal lodged.
The person concerned appealed against the disallowance of his unemployment assistance claim and arising from contentions raised by him in support of his appeal the case was returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
These inquiries were extensive as detailed information was required regarding stock on the claimant's farm. However, it is expected that the inquiries will be completed this week. The papers will then be submitted to an appeals officer for determination of the claimant's means, at the earliest possible date. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeals officer's decision.
55.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware of the problems experienced by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 regarding his social welfare cheque which was mislaid in the post and was cashed; and, if she is aware that he has been unable to obtain reimbursement of this amount due to him in disability benefit from 17 February 1986 to 27 February 1986 or even proof that the cheque which was mislaid and cashed with a signature similar to his own and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 February 1986 to 22 March 1986. On 18 March 1986 he notified the Department that he did not receive payment for the period from 20 February 1986 to 26 February 1986. As the cheque was cashed, it was necessary to have the matter investigated. These investigations are still underway. It has been decided in the meantime, however, to issue the person concerned with a replacement cheque which was sent to him on 7 May.
56.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive small-holders' unemployment assistance.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined when extensive inquiries into his means, at present being made by a social welfare officer, have been completed. It is expected that these inquiries will be completed shortly. His case will then be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of his means and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.