asked the Minister for Social Welfare if all of the smallholders in receipt of unemployment assistance have had their means tested since the notional means test was abolished in 1983; the number of smallholders who had unemployment assistance payment terminated or reduced as a result; the number who received increased payment; the number of oral hearings requested and granted; and the number of applicants who were successful.
Written Answers. - Smallholders on Unemployment Assistance.
53.
The means of all but four smallholder recipients of unemployment assistance have now been assessed on a factual basis. The position at the end of April 1986 is that following review, payment of unemployment assistance has been reduced in 4,358 cases and has ceased in 3,099 cases. Payment was increased in 3,146 cases.
With regard to the number of oral hearings in respect of appeals made by smallholders, statistics are not maintained in a manner which would enable the information sought by the Deputy to be furnished.
However, under the new arrangements, introduced in June 1985, smallholders who were dissatisfied with the factual assessment of their means were afforded the opportunity of having their means reviewed again. If dissatisfied with the review, it was open to them to request an oral appeal hearing, and this was granted in all cases.