asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway, he will itemise in detail how his weekly rate of means was calculated at £7.74 per week for the purposes of the Unemployment Assistance Acts; if he is aware that this person has absolutely no means whatsoever and has been unable to obtain work despite persistent efforts since September 1977; and if, in the circumstances, he will make arrangements to have the case reconsidered with a view to gaining unemployment assistance at the full rate.
Written Answers. - County Galway Unemployment and Assistance Applicants.
270.
The rate of means of the person concerned is the weekly equivalent of estimated earnings of £400 a year from self-employment and £2.60 a year in respect of the beneficial occupancy of his sister's house. This assessment was made by an appeals officer of my Department.
The case was designated for reinvestigation in the normal course on 1 March, six months after the initial application for unemployment assistance. However in view of the circumstances mentioned in the question, I have arranged to have the reinvestigation of the applicant's circumstances carried out immediately.
271.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will itemise in detail how the weekly rate of means of £12 was calculated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway who is an applicant for unemployment assistance; if he is aware that the person concerned is a school-leaver and has no means of his own; and if he will have the decision not to grant unemployment assistance reconsidered in the circumstances with a view to granting benefit at the full rate.
The assessment which was made by a deciding officer of my Department was necessarily an estimate and it is not possible to give further details of how it was calculated. However, as in cases of this nature, regard was taken of the total income and the composition of the applicant household in which he is the only dependant. No other means were assessed against him and the appeals officer was aware that the person concerned is a school-leaver.
The decision of an appeals officer who is a statutorily appointed officer is final in the absence of new facts fresh evidence and the Deputy will appreciate therefore that I cannot interfere in the matter.