Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Dec 1984

Vol. 354 No. 12

Written Answers. - Farmers' Unemployment Assistance.

252.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the average length of time for an appeal to be heard for small farmers unemployment assistance.

253.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of appeals, at present, under consideration from small holders in the western counties arising from a reduction or discontinuation in payment of their unemployment assistance under the scheme known previously as the small farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter saying when these appeals will be brought up to date.

It is proposed to take Question Nos. 252 and 253 together.

Statistics are not kept of the average length of time taken to process appeals under the various social welfare schemes. There has, however, been in recent months a large volume of appeals in relation to unemployment assistance by small holders whose entitlements have been reduced on the change from the notional system of assessment to a factual system. In many of these cases it has been necessary to arrange for a further investigation by a social welfare officer arising from the contentions put forward by the person making the appeal. While cases not involving further investigation can be dealt with relatively quickly, delays may occur in those cases where further investigations are required. Every effort is being made to deal with these cases as quickly as possible and the situation in this regard should be considerably improved over the coming months.

Barr
Roinn