Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Noel Davern

Question:

86 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the problems currently being experienced by part-time firemen whose entitlement to unemployment benefit has been exhausted; when he will sign the necessary order which will effect the necessary changes in relation to re-qualification for unemployment benefit which will alleviate their situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9427/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The Social Welfare Act, 1997, came into effect on 2 April. Its provisions include an important change in the rules relating to the requalification for unemployment benefit which will have a substantial beneficial effect on the incomes of many workers, particularly those in a typical employment such as seasonal and casual workers like dockers and fire fighters.

These workers were precluded from requalifying for unemployment benefit until they had a further 13 PRSI contributions paid subsequent to exhausting their unemployment benefit entitlement. In future, a person will be able to requalify for unemployment benefit by having 13 paid contributions at any stage after the 156th day (i.e. six months) of unemployment. This will mean that, where the 13 contributions are paid between the 156th day and the 390th day, the claimant can requalify for a further 390 days of unemployment benefit immediately after the first 390 days has been exhausted.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

87 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare the figures in respect of all categories of social welfare benefits in County Laois in each month for the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9429/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Details of social welfare recipients by county are compiled annually. A breakdown of recipients in County Laois for December 1995 and December 1996 is contained in the following table.

Laois

Recipients

Benefits, Pension or Assistance	December 1995	December 1996
Old Age Pension (Contributory)	703	679
Retirement Pension	711	762
Old Age Pension (Non- Contributory)	1,826	1,843
Pre-Retirement Allowance	194	170
Disability Benefit	358	422
Invalidity Pension	434	425
Injury Benefit	5	9
Interim Disability Benefit	10	9
Disability Allowance	n.a.	562
Widow's-Widower's Contributory Pension	1,174	1,200
Widow's Pension (Non- Contributory)	367	367
Deserted Wife's Benefit	88	94
Deserted Wife's Allowance	20	19
Lone Parent's Allowance	409	454
Maternity Benefit	49	41
Orphan's Allowance (Contributory)	15	11
Orphan's Pension (Non- Contributory)	7	4
Family Income Supplement	235	247
Carer's Allowance	103	117
Blind Person's Pension	33	35
Live Register	3,320	3,196
Smallholders	115	109
Child Benefit (families)	6,612	6,707