Ivor Callely
Question:77 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number and percentage of all social welfare recipients with an address in or who live in the Dublin area.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
At 31 December 1992 there were approximately 235,000 people in receipt of a weekly social welfare payment including pensioners and recipients of sickness and unemployment payments with an address in or living in the Dublin area (city and county). This represents about 29 per cent of all such recipients.
There were also 138,650 families in receipt of monthly child benefit in this area, or some 29 per cent of all recipients.
Tony Gregory
Question:78 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare the result of a review of the refusal to provide a clothing allowance to a person (details supplied) arising from Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 22 October 1992.
The person in question was refused a clothing and footwear allowance on grounds of means. I understand from the Eastern Health Board that a review of the case has now been carried out and that a decision will be communicated direct to the person concerned in the coming days.
Michael Finucane
Question:79 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 23 March 1993. In order to qualify for this payment he needed at least 39 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year 6 April 1991 to 5 April 1992. According to the records of my Department he had only 13 A1 contributions for that tax year. He indicated that he was employed for the duration of this period and this was investigated by an officer of my Department. Repeated efforts to contact the employer failed. However, after further investigations, my Department is now satisfied that special contribution credits can be awarded for this period.
His claim has now been authorised for payment and all arrears due will be paid this week.
Richard Bruton
Question:80 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has had consultations with the Central Statistics Office regarding the estimated effect of the change in eligibility for unemployment payments for students and school leavers on the number reported unemployed and on the seasonal adjustment factors applied in calculating the underlying trend.
The Central Statistics Office is kept aware on an ongoing basis of any changes affecting eligibility for unemployment payments which would have an impact on the live register. Seasonal adjustment of the live register series is carried out by the Central Statistics Office using standard statistical procedures. The impact of the change in the eligibility criteria for students on the live register seasonal adjustment factors has been negligible since the latter are calculated on the basis of seasonal patterns over a long number of years.