asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a large number of persons in County Kerry have had their unemployment assistance discontinued and that some appeals are under consideration for over two months; the cause of the long delay in dealing with these appeals; and the number of additional staff employed by his Department in County Kerry since 1st July, 1975 on the investigation of payments of unemployment assistance to small farmers and other persons.
Written Answers. - County Kerry Unemployment Assistance.
103.
I am aware that some persons in County Kerry have had their qualification certificates withdrawn and hence have ceased to be entitled to payment of unemployment assistance on the ground that their means exceeded the statutory limit for entitlement to such a certificate or, that by failing to furnish necessary information they had not shown that their means were within the statutory limit. In a number of these cases there had been concealment of means by the applicant on the original application.
Only two appeals made more than two months ago have not so far been decided. In one of these the hearing was adjourned at the request of the appellant's solicitor. The second case in which a large overpayment is involved, is due for hearing during week commencing 12th January, 1976. The answer to the final part of the question is "None".