Vol. 533 No. 1
121 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will pay a qualified adult allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 who is in receipt of unemployment benefit; if arrears are due in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8315/01]
The person concerned made a claim for unemployment benefit on 8 January 2001. As he advised his local office that his spouse's earnings were in excess of £135 per week, he was not entitled to a qualified adult increase and was authorised for payment in respect of himself only. He subsequently supplied a statement of his spouse's earnings from self-employment and, on foot of this, was awarded a qualified adult dependant allowance at the rate of £44.50 per week. Arrears amounting to £336 issued to him on 14 March 2001, and all remaining arrears due will be paid with his normal weekly payment at his post office on 28 March 2001.
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.
122 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the total expenditure on supplementary welfare allowance rent supplement in 2000. [8316/01]
Total expenditure on rent supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in 2000 was £118.6 million. This represented an increase of just over 17% on expenditure in 1999.
123 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if, in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose disability benefit entitlement has been suspended on the basis that this person is not fit for his usual work but is fit for other categories of work, he will indicate the categories of work for which this person is deemed fit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8318/01]
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 1997. Following a recent examination by a medical assessor of my Department he was considered to be capable of work. A deciding officer consequently decided that he is not entitled to payment of disability benefit.
In determining whether a person is incapable of work for disability benefit purposes account is taken initially of whether the person is fit for their usual work. In reviewing continuing entitlement the person's fitness for other categories of work that they might reasonably be expected to carry out, having regard to their medical condition, would be taken into account.
Following the recent examination the medical assessor expressed the view that, while the person concerned could not perform his usual work, there is a range of other types of work in which he could become involved. The person concerned has engaged in work over the course of his claim, having on two occasions been granted the necessary exemptions from the rules of behaviour of the scheme.
In the light of the Deputy's concern in the matter, however, the case is being referred for an appeal. The person concerned will shortly be referred for a second medical examination by a different medical assessor and will be notified of the date and venue of the examination in due course.
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.
124 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for an oral hearing to finalise her unemployment benefit. [8369/01]
The person concerned applied for unemployment benefit on 11 December 2000. The deciding officer, having considered her claim, was of the opinion that she was not available for or genuinely seeking work and accordingly disallowed her claim. The person concerned has appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office. An appeals officer has examined her case and is of the opinion that an oral hearing is necessary. This will be arranged as soon as possible. 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.
