asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an application for unemployment benefit from a married man (name supplied) in County Offaly was received in his Department circa 10th October, 1974, and on each succeeding week since; the amount, if any, paid and the dates of each payment; and if no payments have been made, the reason for non-payment.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit and Assistance Applications.
49.
It is correct that the person named made a claim for unemployment benefit on 10th October, 1974, and that he has continued to claim each week since. No benefit has been paid because the claim was rejected by a deciding officer on the ground that the claimant was not available for work from the date mentioned. This decision was upheld by an appeals officer on 10th December following an oral hearing at which the person attended and gave evidence. However, the deciding officer has reviewed the case in the light of developments subsequent to the date of the appeal hearing and has now admitted the claim with effect from 3rd January, 1975.
50.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (name supplied) in County Meath who was in receipt of disability benefit and who has been signing for unemployment benefit for the past nine weeks; and the reason for the delay in dealing with the case.
All unemployment benefit due to the person named in respect of his claim made on 4th December, 1974, has been listed for payment at his local post office during week commencing 15th February, 1975. The delay in determining the claim arose from the fact that the claimant did not qualify for benefit on his Irish record due to a deficiency of contributions paid or credited in respect of him in the 1973 contribution year. By virtue of EEC regulations, however, he was enabled to qualify through the taking into account of contributions acquired in 1973 in Great Britain. Inquiries to establish the British insurance record were not completed until 10th February, 1975.
How did he qualify for disability benefit? Would it not automatically follow that he should qualify for unemployment benefit when he had been dealt with by the medical referee?
I have no information to that effect. My information is that he did not qualify for this benefit.
The main thing is he got his money.
51.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (name supplied) in County Meath who has been signing at the employment exchange for the past five weeks and who has not been visited to date by an officer to have his means investigated: and the reason for the delay in dealing with this case.
This person initially claimed unemployment benefit on 13th January, 1975. When it was established that he failed to satisfy the contribution conditions for benefit, he made application on 30th January for unemployment assistance. This application has been decided and all unemployment assistance due to him from 13th January has been listed for payment at his local post office in the week commencing 15th February. There has been no undue delay in dealing with the case.