asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason smallholders' unemployment assistance has been discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will give a breakdown of the assessment of means in this case.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
459.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from profit from beneficial occupation of a holding and benefit from his wife's earnings exceeded the statutory limit.
The deciding officer based his decision on the gross output of his holding at £5,380 per annum less the expenses incurred in earning that income, £3,000 per annum and assessed the net profit from the holding at £2,380 per annum. In addition the deciding officer assessed the benefit accruing to him from his wife's earnings at £39.60 weekly. The statutory limit applicable in his case is £2,935.40 per annum and as the total amount of means assessed against him exceeds this sum his unemployment assistance claim was disallowed.
The person concerned recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and arrangements are being made to have his case determined by an appeals officer. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
460.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to a supplementary appeal form submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against his decision.
The person concerned was assessed with means on 4 October 1982 at £57.70 derived from land. He completed an appeal application form on 28 June 1984 and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for a review of his means. Inquiries are still being made in the matter and when they are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
In the meantime weekly payments of unemployment assistance at £14.55 being the appropriate rate £72.25 less £57.70 means continue to be made to him.
461.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position with regard to an appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Galway against his decision to discontinue payment of his unemployment assistance.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from the profit from his holding and from capital exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the decision but an appeals officer also assessed him with means in excess of the statutory limit and he was notified accordingly on 1 June 1984.
He recently indicated at his local office that he wished to have his means reinvestigated and he was furnished with an application form for this purpose. When he completes and returns the application form his case will be referred to a social welfare officer for investigation. 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.
462.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a decision has yet been made on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for a non-contributory widow's pension.
The person concerned whose husband died on 22 January 1984 claimed a widow's pension on 12 October 1984.
A social welfare officer has been requested to investigate the case and report on the claimant's means. When the report is received a decision will be given without delay and she will be notified of the outcome.
463.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he will now direct his Department to make payment to this person; the date on which weekly payments and all arrears will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the means assessed against him, £42.65 weekly derived from the profit from his holding and from self-employment, exceeded the appropriate maximum rate of unemployment assistance payable to him.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and the appeals officer has requested further information regarding his means. The case is now being referred back to a social welfare officer for further inquiries. When these inquiries are completed his case will again be referred to an appeals officer for determination and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
464.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance from 10 January 1984 to 24 March 1984. Following the completion of inquiries she was assessed with means of £14.20 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging on her parents' holding.
She was accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £13.80 weekly being the appropriate rate £28 less means £14.20. However, due to mis-filing of papers a delay occurred in payment of the arrears and it was not until 7 September 1984 when all outstanding unemployment assistance was paid.
465.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason smallholders' unemployment assistance was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and when this payment will be restored.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed effective from 10 October 1984, on the grounds that his means of £56.10 weekly derived from the profit from his holding exceeded the rate payable to him.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the means assessed against him and he was issued with an appeal form at his local office. When he completes and returns this form his case will be referred to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
466.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned was interviewed on numerous occasions by a social welfare officer but he was not prepared to co-operate in the investigation of his means and no further action could be taken in the case.
He was recently visited by a social welfare supervisor and on this occasion he co-operated in the investigation of his means. Following the completion of these inquiries he was assessed with means of £5 weekly derived from self-employment with effect from 15 February 1984. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £23 weekly increased to £24.95 weekly from 4 July 1984 and arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week. Further weekly payments at £24.95 will continue to be made as they become due.
467.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
The person concerned claimed unemployment assistance and his case was referred to a social welfare officer for inquiries into his means. Extensive inquiries were necessary and these were recently completed.
He has been assessed with means of £33.15 weekly derived from the value of the maintenance portion of a student grant and from the value of board and lodging on his parents' holding. Accordingly his means exceed the maximum rate of unemployment assistance appropriate to him and his claim was disallowed.
468.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will restore a widow's pension to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
Following a recent decision by an appeals officer the person concerned has been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at the weekly rate of £31.85 from 3 February 1984, the date she requested a review of her case, increased to £34.50 from 6 July 1984.
These are the rates of pension payable to a widow under 66 years with no qualified children whose weekly means exceed £10 but do not exceed £12. Her means derived from a farm of land and some capital are assessed at £11.69 per week.
Pension books with orders payable from 3 August 1984 have been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. Arrears for the period 3 February 1984 to 2 August 1984 will be sent direct to her by payable order within the next few days.
469.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that he failed to fully disclose particulars of his home circumstances.
He appealed and an appeals officer also decided that by failing to disclose his means he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He was notified of the appeals officer's decision on 11 September 1984. However, he recently contacted the social welfare officer and conveyed that he was now willing to fully co-operate in the investigation of his means. Arrangements are being made for a reinvestigation of his case and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome.
470.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be given in respect of an application for unemployment benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 30 August 1984. However, inquiries had to be made to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for work before her entitlement to unemployment benefit could be determined.
These inquiries were recently completed and her claim was allowed at £32.75 weekly being the maximum rate appropriate to a married woman and all arrears due will be paid this week. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.