Vol. 407 No. 6
118 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the deductions made from the unemployment assistance of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 following her win of £17,500 from the national lottery since the bulk of the money has now been spent.
Following investigation, the person concerned was assessed with means of £19.80 per week, derived from capital, from 5 December 1990. This assessment left her entitled to payment at the weekly rate of £32.20.
She applied for a review of her means on 15 April 1991 and her case has been referred to the social welfare officer for re-investigation. When these inquiries have been completed, her entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed.
119 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current position regarding the unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
Following consideration, an appeals officer recently reduced the means assessed in this case with effect from 5 December 1990. The means are derived from the net yearly value of his farm.
This reduced assessment leaves him entitled to payment at a higher rate and the arrears due will be paid this week.
120 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare the up to date position regarding the unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
Following investigation, the person concerned was assessed with means of £73.10 per week from 26 June 1990. The means are derived from the net yearly value of his farm. This assessment exceeded the maximum short term rate of £68.90 then payable in his case. The 1990 budget increases raised the short term rate to £76 on 19 July 1990 after which he became entitled to payment at the weekly rate of £2.90.
He appealed against the decision to the independent social welfare appeals office and an oral hearing of his case was held on 11 April 1991. It is expected that the appeals officer will issue his decision soon.
He last signed the unemployed register on 11 December 1990 and is currently on a social employment scheme.
121 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the payment date in Carrick-on-Suir employment exchange has been changed to a Tuesday; the reason for this change; if his attention has further been drawn to the hardship this change is causing to families who are dependent on social welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The normal payment day for unemployment assistance generally throughout the country is Tuesday. The change of payment day for unemployment assistance recipients in Carrick-on-Suir branch employment office from Thursday to the previous Tuesday was introduced during the special payment arrangements at Easter. It was decided to bring forward payments due on Thursday, 28 March 1991, by two days. From that date payment has been made on Tuesday each week.
122 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social Welfare the latest figures for the number of people in receipt of (a) unemployment benefit and (b) unemployment assistance in the Shannon and Newmarket-on-Fergus Garda districts of County Clare.
At the end of April 1991, there were 464 persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and 373 persons in receipt of unemployment assistance at the local social welfare office in Shannon.
At the Newmarket-on-Fergus local office, there were 94 persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and 93 persons in receipt of unemployment assistance.
123 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made on increasing the rate of unemployment assistance payable to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Based on an independent appeals officer's finding, the person concerned has been assessed, for unemployment assistance purposes, with means of £38.10 from 4 April 1990. The means are derived from self employment as a motor mechanic. This assessment gives him a current entitlement of £18.90 per week.
He requested a review of his means on 8 April 1991 and the social welfare officer has been asked to carry out a further investigation. On completion of this investigation, the claim will be referred to a deciding officer for decision.
