asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in processing the unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will arrange to have a decision given on this appeal as soon as possible.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
48.
Following a review of his means some time ago the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means, derived from the profit from his holding exceeded the statutory limit. The person concerned appealed against the disallowance. Due to the lapse of time since the means of the person concerned were last assessed, it was necessary to have his means investigated again and the papers were issued to the social welfare officer for investigation. Due to an oversight this investigation was not carried out as quickly as it should have been but arrangements have been made to have the investigation carried out this week. The social welfare officer's report will then be referred without delay to a deciding officer who will assess the means of the person concerned and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the means assessed against him. If he is then dissatisfied with that decision he can appeal against it. The delay in this case is regretted.
49.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an old age pension will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The old age pension entitlement of the person concerned is partially investigated. The social welfare officer is awaiting details regarding a bank account. When this information comes to hand the case will be referred to a deciding officer for decision. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome without delay.
50.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person concerned exhausted his entitlement to unemployment benefit on 30 September 1985. To avoid the possibility of any delay in having his means assessed he was advised at his local office to apply for unemployment assistance in June this year but did not do so until 30 September 1985. His claim has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. These inquiries are proving extensive and when they are completed his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
51.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be made payable to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The claim to unemployment assistance of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that the profit from his holding exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against the disallowance and an appeals officer has decided to grant him an oral hearing, which will take place on 28 November 1985. The person concerned has been notified of the date, time and venue for the hearing. His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
52.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Clare as he is now signing since the beginning of September.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must have at least 26 contributions paid or credited at the appropriate rate in the governing contribution year. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 18 May 1985. His claim was disallowed on the grounds that he had insufficient contributions paid or credited during the contribution year 6 April 1983 to 5 April 1984 which governed his entitlement to unemployment benefit from 18 May 1985. He then applied, on 8 October 1985, for a qualification certificate and his claim was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means. The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
53.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in the payment of unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means derived from self-employment exceeded the statutory limit. He appealed against this decision and an appeals officer also assessed him with means exceeding the statutory limit. The person concerned requested a review of his means but the social welfare officer investigating his claim has reported that he failed to furnish details of his means. He is being advised by his local office that unless he co-operates with the social welfare officer investigating his means, his claim will be disallowed. If he co-operates his means will be assessed and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the amount of means assessed against him.
54.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, in respect of the weeks of 15 October, 1985, and 22 October 1985, in view of household circumstances on those two dates when he should have signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment assistance is subject to the condition that a claimant must be capable of and available for work. When the person concerned, who is a recipient of unemployment assistance, called to his local office on 29 October 1985, he stated that he had been ill since 9 October 1985, and accordingly his claim was disallowed for the period of his illness. The person concerned has been advised by the local office to contact the community welfare officer in his area regarding his possible entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance for the period in question.
55.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the refusal to pay unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; the date of the appeal hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a person must be available for and genuinely seeking full time employment. The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 22 August 1985 and her claim was disallowed on the grounds that she was not available for employment. She appealed against the disallowance and an appeals officer has decided to grant an oral hearing of her appeal, on 19 November 1985. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
56.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the refusal to pay unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; the date of her appeal hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to unemployment benefit is subject to the condition that a claimant must be available for, and genuinely seeking full time employment. When the person concerned claimed unemployment benefit, she indicated that she was seeking part time work only, and consequently her claim was disallowed. She appealed against the disallowance and arrangements have been made to have an oral hearing of her appeal, on 19 November 1985. Her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.