asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not receive arrears due to him from his old age pension since 18 October last to date.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
58.
Following a reinvestigation of his claim the person concerned was awarded an increase in his old age pension with effect from 4 March 1983. His book was recalled for adjustment on 19 March last and a book at the increased rate was issued to him on 2 April 1986. The arrears due, less the amount of pension previously overpaid in his case was issued on 28 April 1986.
59.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 29 January 1986 but his claim was disallowed on the grounds that he had insufficient contributions paid or credited during the contribution year 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985, which governed his claim. He then applied for unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.
Pending the completion of the investigation of his means his claim has been put into payment on the basis of a qualification certificate issued to him in connection with a previous claim showing weekly means of £2.65. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £29.10, being the appropriate maximum weekly rate payable in his case of £31.75, less means of £2.65. 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.
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon had his unemployment assistance reduced by £24 per week; the way in which his means were assessed; and if she will give a complete breakdown.
Following a reinvestigation of his unemployment assistance claim the weekly means assessment of the person concerned were increased from £31.85 to £56.25. The means are derived from profit from his holding and from capital.
In calculating his means the deciding officer took into consideration the gross yearly income of the farm at £6,061 less expenses of £3,154.84 incurred in earning that income leaving a net annual profit of £2,906.16, taken as £2,900. The person concerned was also deemed to have capital amounting to £446.35. The yearly value of this capital calculated in the prescribed manner for unemployment assistance purposes is £24.63. The applicant's means were, accordingly, assessed at £2,924.63 or £56.25 weekly.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £28.40 being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £84.65, less means of £56.25.
He recently appealed against the means assessment and arrangements are being made to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
61.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who is working three days per week short time is not being allowed to sign for the other three days but rather only being allowed sign for two days.
The unemployment benefit entitlement of systematic short time workers is restricted so that the sum of the number of days in respect of which benefit is payable and the number of days worked may not exceed five in the calendar week.
The unemployment of the person concerned from 7 January 1985 was initially treated as systematic short time working and, accordingly, he was paid unemployment benefit in accordance with the statutory provisions for systematic short time workers.
However, following extensive inquiries in the matter, it has since been established that the provisions governing systematic short-time working should not apply in his case. All arrears of unemployment benefit due to him from 7 January 1985 will be paid next week.
62.
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 if she will confirm that payment has been made and all arrears due paid.
It has not been possible to trace receipt of a claim to 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.
63.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to have an appeal against the disallowance of unemployment assistance heard immediately for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as she has no other source of income.
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 appealed against the disallowance and in this connection a form was issued to her for completion but to date she has not returned the completed form to her local office.
When the completed form is received her case will be submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means and her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
64.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment assistance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will arrange to have an early hearing for his appeal.
Following a re-investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned his means were assessed at £52.80 weekly derived from self-employment. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £19.45, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £72.25 less means of £52.80.
He appealed against the means assessment and the papers have been submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means at the earliest possible date. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to the person concerned will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
65.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to have an early appeal heard on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, who was recently refused unemployment benefit.
The appeal of the person concerned against the deciding officer's decision of 25 March 1986 to disallow her claim to unemployment benefit was received at the local employment office on 30 April 1986.
Arrangements are being made to have her case submitted to an appeals officer for determination, at the earliest available opportunity. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be considered in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
66.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not yet been sanctioned for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, despite the fact that he has been signing for 15 weeks.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case.
He appealed against the disallowance on 3 March 1986 and arising from contentions made in support of his appeal the papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. On completion of the inquiries the case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination of his means. The appeals officer, however, requested further information before giving his decision and it became necessary to return the papers again to the social welfare officer.
When the inquiries are completed the papers will be re-submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means as soon as possible. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome. He is at present in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an increase in payment of unemployment assistance will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned applied for a review of his means and the case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation.
Extensive inquiries had to be made in the case but these were recently completed. His case is now being referred to a deciding officer for an assessment of his means and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
He is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £37.80 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.