asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry cannot get unemployment assistance at the maximum rate, in view of the fact that he is paying £10 per week rent on a county council house and in view of the fact that his farm expenses for the provision of manures, fertilisers and rations are exceedingly high; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
426.
The person concerned was assessed with means at £70.80 weekly derived from the profit from his holding and the value of capital. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at £1.45 weekly being the appropriate rate £72.25 less £70.80. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements are being made to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
427.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of unemployment assistance will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by failing to disclose his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance of his claim but an appeals officer also disallowed his claim on the same grounds. He continued to sign as unemployed and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. Extensive inquiries were recently completed and a report on the case is at present in postal transit to a deciding officer at the Department's headquarters. The assessment of his means will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the inquiries and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined accordingly.
Question No. 428 withdrawn.