asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the number of recipients of unemployment assistance in the employment exchange areas of Galway, Oughterard and Clifden (1) who have had their means reviewed in the twelve months ended 1st March, 1960, (2) whose means have been increased as a result, (3) whose means have been decreased as a result, and (4) whose unemployment assistance has been disallowed as a result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recipients of Unemployment Assistance in Galway.
8.
As the Deputy is aware, the means of holders of qualification certificates must be reviewed when any change occurs in the circumstances of a holder, that is acquirement of property, marriage, change of address. The means of self-employed persons must also be re-examined periodically. Apart from the other reasons mentioned the means of the holder of a qualification certificate must also be re-investigated if his circumstances have not been reviewed for a number of years.
The number of unemployment assistance cases in Galway employment exchange area, Oughterard branch employment office area and Clifden employment exchange area reviewed by officers of my Department, in the discharge of their statutory duties, in the year ended 1st March, 1960, was 291, 168 and 158 respectively. Means were increased in 211 cases, 145 cases and 138 cases respectively, decreased in 35 cases, 18 cases and 9 cases respectively and unemployment assistance was disallowed in 29 cases, 18 cases and 37 cases respectively.
Prior to September, 1958, the assessment of means for unemployment assistance purposes, where such were derived from the occupation of land, was based on values for stock, crops, etc., adopted in 1940. Since September, 1958, up to date values, as are used for old age pensions purposes, have been applied to the assessment of means for unemployment assistance purposes.