Vol. 550 No. 4
541 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reasons parents are not given the option of being paid child benefit on a weekly basis as is the case with other welfare payments from his Department; his plans to offer this option to parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9044/02]
The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since 1996.
Following a recent review of his entitlement a deciding officer has decided that he was not genuinely seeking work and disallowed his claim from 12 December 2001.
He has appealed against that decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. An appeals officer has considered the case and is of the opinion that an oral hearing is necessary. The person concerned will be notified of the time, date and venue of the hearing when these have been arranged.
