asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be taken on the application for unemployment benefit from a person (name supplied) in County Donegal which was made in August 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Unemployment Benefit Application.
10.
The application of the person named in the question was for unemployment assistance, not unemployment benefit, and as he was not the holder of a qualification certificate for unemployment assistance his means position had to be investigated. He is 28 years of age and it was open to him to apply for a qualification certificate at any time since his 18th birthday, even while employed. On completion of the means investigation, he was granted a qualification certificate by the decision of a deciding officer given on 26th October, 1973, and was immediately paid unemployment assistance on the basis of that decision at a rate which was subsequently adjusted upwards following a decision on appeal.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that when a Deputy makes representations and a decision has been reached, as soon as may be after such decision the Deputy or Deputies concerned should be notified?
I agree that where a Deputy has made representations and a decision has been taken and where it would not in any way delay the granting and receipt of the benefits to the person on whose behalf the application was made, as a matter of courtesy the Deputy or Deputies concerned should be informed.