Eamon Gilmore
Question:864 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in receipt of a disability pension from Australia is eligible for the back to education allowance. [11406/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
Questions (803, 804)
Written answers
The allowance is a second chance education opportunities programme. It is designed to encourage and facilitate certain groups that receive social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, consequently, their prospects of returning to the active work force.
The person concerned is not in receipt of a social welfare payment and is, therefore, ineligible for participation in the scheme.
Michael Ring
Question:865 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo had their unemployment benefit stopped. [11429/04]
View answerSince 10 March 2003 the person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit. Last February he was asked to provide details of his efforts to find full-time employment. His response led the deciding officer to conclude that he had failed to show that he was available for and genuinely seeking full-time work. His claim was disallowed from 11 March 2004.
The person lodged an appeal with the social welfare appeals office. An appeals officer believes an oral hearing is now required. The person concerned will be advised of the date and venue for the hearing when arrangements have been made.
Under social welfare legislation decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. They are statutorily appointed and I have no role in such decisions.