Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Unemployment Levels.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

323 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will publish the monthly unemployment figures for Castleisland, County Kerry, which is the fourth largest urban centre in Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21139/97]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Unemployed persons from Castleisland, County Kerry, who are signing on the live register are dealt with by the Tralee social welfare local office. Live register numbers are available for the Tralee local office in general but not for areas within this, such as Castleisland. However, the following shows the number of persons with an address in Castleisland who were signing on the live register on 31 October 1997, broken down by scheme.

Unemployment Benefit	81
Unemployment Assistance	191
Credited Contributions	35
Total Live Register	307

The total live register figure for the Tralee social welfare local office area was 4.066 in October 1997. This figures is 7 per cent lower than the corresponding October 1996 figure, 4,357 and 11 per cent lower than the October 1995 figure, 4,559.

Richard Bruton

Question:

324 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will give details of the supplement, which his Department funds, over and above the basic weekly payment, under the back to work allowance scheme, for unemployment persons or lone parents setting up their own business. [21167/97]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

In addition to the back to work allowance, which pays 75 per cent of the recipient's existing social welfare payment for the first year, 50 per cent for the second year and 25 per cent for the third year, my Department also provides support through training and technical assistance grants.

These grants, which were established in 1995, are aimed at those engaging or about to engage in self employment projects and who require assistance in the following areas:

— preparing a business plan/marketing strategy

— start your own business courses and business skills training

— help with business accounts

— advertising and printing

— small items of equipment

— preparation of subsmission for capital funding etc.

So far this year, my Department has assisted 3,200 back to work allowance participants with grants under the above headings at a cost of £820,000. Assistance by way of grants is arranged through the local jobs facilitators and payment is made direct to the suppliers concerned. I am satisfied that these grants are making a significant impact on the long-term prospects of these projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

325 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been refused disability benefit, in view of the fact that this person, on the basis of her own consultant's advice, is in pain and unfit for work as anticipated under the Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21246/97]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Payment of disability benefit was disallowed in this case by a deciding officer following an examination by a medical assessor who considered that she was capable of work.

In the context of her appeal against this decision the person concerned was examined by another medical assessor who was also of the opinion that she was capable of work. Following an oral hearing of her appeal on 2 September 1996, and taking account of all the evidence available in the case, an appeals officer of the social welfare appeals office decided that she was not incapable of work within the meaning of the Social Welfare Acts and disallowed her appeal.

Subsequent to the appeals officer's decision, the person concerned furnished a report from a hospital registrar. This report was considered by the Department's chief medical adviser who concluded that she could not be regarded as incapacitated on the basis of the medical condition described therein. The appeals officer reviewed the case in the light of the additional evidence and concluded that a revision of his decision was not warranted.

The appeals officer's decision is final and conclusive in the absence of new evidence or new facts or any change of circumstances since the decision was given.