asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis for the calculation of £0.91 per week as unemployment assistance in the case of a person (name supplied) in Dublin, in view of the fact that his only other income is a pension of £7 per week from CIE.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
343.
The records of my Department show that the person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £1.05 which represents the maximum weekly rate payable to a person in an urban area who has no dependants (£10.70) less his weekly rate of means.
The means in this case are derived solely from the person's CIE pension which was increased some time ago from £6.97 to £9.61 a week (statutorily rounded to £9.65 under the provisions of the Unemployment Assistance Acts).
He has appealed against the assessment of means and the case has been referred to an appeals officer for decision.
344.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting a non-contributory old age pension to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Old age pensions at the maximum rate have been granted to the persons concerned and pension books were issued to them on the 10 March 1978. Both cases were on appeal for a considerable time because the appeals officer had to await the completion of the transfer of land which was involved and the stamping of the deed of transfer before giving his decisions.