asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be processed by her Department; and if she will give an undertaking having regard to the hardship being caused, that the appeal will be processed expeditiously.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeal.
51.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance in April 1985 and he was assessed with means of £42.95, derived from benefit from his wife's earnings. He did not appeal against the means assessment.
He applied for a review of his case in September 1986 and his papers were referred to a social welfare officer for reinvestigation of means. These inquiries will be completed as soon as possible and his case will then be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means at the earliest available opportunity. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of this assessment.
In the meantime he is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £27.05, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £70 less means of £42.95.