asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether a person (details supplied) in County Galway is in receipt of the maximum rate of unemployment assistance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
66.
Following a review of his unemployment assistance claim in May 1981, the means of the person concerned were assessed at £5.75 weekly, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £28.05, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £33.80 less means of £5.75.
Arrangements have now been made with his local office to have his case referred to the social welfare officer for reinvestigation of his means at the earliest available opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the investigation.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cause of the long delay in arranging an oral hearing on the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry against the decision not to pay him unemployment assistance at the maximum rate.
Following a review, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the value of capital and from the profit from his holding, exceeded the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance on 13 May 1986 and, arising from contentions made in support of his appeal, his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. Because of the large workload a social welfare officer has to contend with some delay is inevitable in dealing with certain cases. However, the inquiries in this case will be completed as soon as possible and his case will then be submitted to an appeals officer for determination at the earliest available opportunity. The appeals officer will decide, in accordance with regulations, whether the grant of an oral hearing is appropriate. If he feels that the case can be dealt with without an oral hearing he will decide it summarily.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange to pay unemployment benefit at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for the full period of 15 months and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The rate of unemployment benefit payable on a claim is reduced after 156 days benefit has been drawn where the claimant does not satisfy the special contribution condition of having 280 paid contributions in the seven year period prior to the claim.
The person concerned had drawn 156 days benefit on her claim on 9 April 1986. Inquiries had to be made to ascertain if she satisfied the condition of having 280 paid contributions in the seven year period prior to the claim for entitlement to continuous payment of benefit at the maximum rate appropriate in her case of £34.70 weekly. Pending the completion of the inquiries she was paid at the special reduced rate of £32.75 weekly.
It has now been established that she has the necessary contributions to qualify for payment of benefit at the higher rate. She is, accordingly, entitled to payment at the weekly rate of £34.70 from 10 April 1986 increased to £39.50 from 15 May 1986 in accordance with the equality provisions which were given effect from that date under the Social Welfare Act, 1986. Arrears of benefit due will be issued to her this week. The person concerned is also entitled to payment of benefit on her claim for a period of 390 days, that is 15 months, in accordance with the equality provisions which increased from 312 to 390 days the maximum duration of unemployment benefit payable in the case of a married woman. Further weekly payments of £39.50 will continue to be made as they become due.
69.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment benefit is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for and genuinely seeking work.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 6 August 1985, having been in receipt of maternity allowance up to 2 August 1985. Her claim to unemployment benefit was disallowed as, in the opinion of the deciding officer, she was not available for work. She appealed against the disallowance and the appeals officer also decided that she was not available for work from 6 August 1985.
She again claimed unemployment benefit from 27 February 1986 and her claim was again disallowed by a deciding officer and by an appeals officer on the grounds that she was not available for work.
She last claimed unemployment benefit from 30 May 1986 and, as there was no evidence of specific efforts to secure employment since her previous claim, her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for work. She was notified of the decision and of her right of appeal on 20 June 1986.
70.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision can now be given on the application for social welfare benefit of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin, having regard to his urgent financial need.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 26 May 1986. Inquiries had to be made to ascertain the reason his employment was terminated before payment could be authorised.
These inquiries have now been completed and his claim has been allowed at £85 weekly, being the maximum weekly flat-rate appropriate to a married man with two child dependants. All arrears due were issued to him on 19 June 1986 and further weekly payments of £85 will continue to be made as they become due.
The person concerned is not entitled to pay-related benefit as he had insufficient earnings during the relevant income tax year 6 April 1984 to 5 April 1985.
71.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons the medical referee at her Department decided on 5 June 1986 that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 who was up to then in receipt of disability benefit would not qualify as and from 13 June 1986 despite the fact that his local doctor still certified him as unfit for work; if she will reinvestigate this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of disability benefit to the person concerned was disallowed from 13 June 1986 following an examination by a medical referee on 5 June 1986 who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. He was informed of the decision to disallow payment on 9 June 1986 and he subsequently submitted a final medical certificate advising that he was fit to resume work on 16 June 1986. He has not indicated to the Department that he wishes to appeal the decision to disallow payment for 13 and 14 June 1986.
72.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in deciding the unemployment assistance application made by a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
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.