asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an applicant for unemployment assistance (details supplied) in County Wexford has been asked to provide details of the income of his parents, with whom he does not reside.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
43.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is dependent on a claimant being the holder of a qualification certificate and to obtain a qualification certificate the claimant must satisfy certain conditions, including an assessment of means.
In accordance with the provisions of the legislation governing the unemployment assistance scheme, the value of any benefit or privilege derived by a claimant from any source must be taken into account in the assessment of means. In practice, this is taken to mean the value of board and lodging to the claimant residing in the home of his parents or a relative. The purpose of the assessment for board and lodging of claimants living with relatives is to achieve a degree of equity as between claimants living in relatively better off circumstances and those whose circumstances are poor.
In this case the social welfare officer to whom the case was referred is satisfied that the claimant is mainly residing with his parents. He has, accordingly, requested that details of their earnings be submitted in order that the value of board and lodgings enjoyed by the claimant can be determined. As soon as the required information is received his case will be submitted to a deciding officer for assessment of means. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of this assessment.
44.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the invalidity pension application of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The person concerned appears to satisfy the medical and contribution conditions for invalidity pensions. It will be necessary for him to formally apply for pension and a claim form has now been forwarded to him.
45.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Invalidity pension is payable to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work.
The person concerned was examined on 20 September 1987 by a medical referee who did not consider him to be permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination in nine months. A deciding officer decided that he was not therefore entitled to invalidity pension.
The person concerned was notified on the 17 November 1987 of this decision and of his right to appeal. No appeal has been received to date but this parliamentary question has been taken as an appeal on his behalf and arrangements are being made to have him examined by a different medical referee on 21 December 1987. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of that examination.