Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Ivan Yates

Question:

755 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will have his unemployment assistance claim approved further to a recent appeal hearing in view of the fact that, if he is so approved, he will be eligible for the back to work allowance scheme and has prospects of employment. [19763/00]

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

The person concerned had been in receipt of unemployment assistance since June 1998. To establish that he satisfied the statutory conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work, he was interviewed by an inspector of the Department in March 2000.

The deciding officer, having considered the Inspector's report, was of the opinion that the person concerned was not genuinely seeking work and that he had failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit in his case. His claim was disallowed accordingly.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office on 9 June 2000. Following an oral hearing on 13 September, 2000, the appeals officer, while accepting that the person concerned was genuinely seeking work, was not satisfied that he had shown that his means did not exceed the statutory limit and disallowed the appeal. He has been notified of the decision.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance at the rate of £149.40 per week.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Ivan Yates

Question:

756 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a short-time unemployment benefit claim of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be approved on appeal, further to the data she is submitting proving her availability for full-time employment. [19764/00]

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

The person concerned applied for unemployment benefit on 10 January 2000 and payment was approved from that date.

On 30 May 2000 her entitlement was reviewed and she was requested to provide details of her availability for and her efforts to find employment. The person concerned responded on 15 June 2000 stating that she was not in a position to undertake full-time work. She also submitted a letter stating that she was about to start work for two days each week.

Having considered her claim, the deciding officer was of the opinion that she was neither available for nor genuinely seeking full-time employment and disallowed her claim, accordingly, with effect from 13 July 2000.

The person concerned appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office and her case has been considered by a appeals officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the week commencing 2 October 2000.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims and the insurability of employment must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.