asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance payments will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the fact that he has no income other than social welfare assistance from the health board and in view of his recent appeal.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
70.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £50 weekly, derived from self-employment in which he said he was engaged. His means, accordingly, exceeded the maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case and his claim was disallowed.
He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and arising from contentions raised by him in support of his appeal his papers were referred to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries were completed his case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination. The appeals officer assessed the means of the person concerned at £32.30 weekly but as his means still exceeded the maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable in his case he was not entitled to payment and he was notified accordingly.
71.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if full arrears of disability benefit payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if a statement of payments to date will be issued to him.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 May 1984 and is currently being paid at the weekly rate of £74.50, the maximum rate appropriate to a married man with one dependent child.
Due to an administrative error he was underpaid by £70 for the period from 5 May 1986 to 17 May 1986. An adjustment cheque for this amount has now been issued.
Payment of benefit is issued on receipt of monthly medical evidence and all benefit payable has been issued to date. A statement of benefit paid has been sent to the person concerned.
72.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a reduced amount of unemployment assistance is being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will arrange to have his case reinvestigated and have the full rate of assistance paid.
Following investigation of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £5 weekly derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £26.75 being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £31.75, less means of £5.
He appealed against the means assessment and arising from contentions raised by him in support of his appeal the papers were returned to the social welfare office for further inquiries. The inquiries were recently completed and his case was submitted to an appeals officer for determination of means at the earliest possible date.
The unemployment assistance entitlement of the person concerned will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
73.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an oral hearing will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 17 April 1986, after which date payment was disallowed following an examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work.
He appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have him examined by a different medical referee as soon as possible. The question of whether an oral hearing may be necessary will not arise until the medical referee's report is received.
74.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give details regarding the claim for unemployment benefit made by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and the reason this benefit has not been granted.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must have at least 26 paid or credited contributions in the contribution year governing the claim. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 12 August 1985 and according to the records of the Department he had no contributions paid or credited in the contribution year 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984, which governed his claim. Therefore, his claim for unemployment benefit was disallowed.
He then claimed unemployment assistance and following an investigation of his means by a social welfare officer his claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from benefit from his wife's earnings, exceeded the statutory limit. He was notified accordingly.
The person concerned signed the unemployed register for three days only, from 12 August to 14 August 1985. He has not been in contact with his local employment exchange since then.
If he is still unemployed and considers that his means have changed since the last investigation it is open to him to reapply for unemployment assistance and for a review of his means. The necessary forms may be obtained at his local employment exchange.
75.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry against the decision to reduce his unemployment assistance will be decided having regard to his poor financial circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Following a review of his unemployment assistance claim the means of the person concerned were assessed at £6.70 weekly derived from self-employment. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £77.95 being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £84.65, less means of £6.70.
He appealed against the means assessment and arising from contentions made by him in suport of his appeal his papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries. When the inquiries were completed his case was referred to an appeals officer for determination. An oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned has been arranged for 11 June 1986 and he has been notified accordingly. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
76.
Mr. Cowen
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who has been sending in certificates for some time.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 20 August 1984.
She is not qualified for benefit as regulations provide that where a claimant has no contributions paid or credited for any two consecutive contribution years preceding her claim, she cannot qualify for payment of disability benefit, or the award of credited contributions in respect of periods of incapacity for work, until she has a further 26 weeks of insurable employment for which the appropriate contributions have been paid.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned had no contributions paid or credited in the years 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83 and 1983-84 and has not had 26 weeks of insurable employment since that time.
77.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress that has been made in recent weeks in relation to an appeal application of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for unemployment assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter indicating when a final decision will be taken.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from self-employment and from the value of capital, exceeded the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance and arising from contentions raised in support of his appeal his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. These inquiries have been completed and his case has been submitted to an appeals officer for determination. An oral hearing of the case will be arranged as soon as possible and the person concerned will be notified of these arrangements. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
78.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will approve a supplementary application for unemployment assistance from a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
The person concerned applied for a review of his unemployment assistance claim in April 1986. On the recent completion of inquiries in connection with this review his weekly means assessment was reduced from £68.50 to £23 with effect from 15 April 1986. His means are derived from self-employment. He is, accordingly, entitled to unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £49.25 being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £72.25, less means of £23.
Arrears of unemployment assistance due from 15 April 1986 will be paid to the person concerned next week and further weekly payments of £49.25 will continue to be made as they become due.