asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the unemployment application of a person (details supplied) in County Clare was first appealed and the date the appeals officer examined this file; when the decision will be sent to him; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
128.
Following re-investigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that, by failing to furnish details of his means, he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance on 13 May, 1986 and, arising from contentions raised by him in support of his appeal, his papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries.
Following completion of these inquiries, which proved to be protracted due to difficulties encountered in establishing his income from self-employment, his case was submitted to an appeals officer on 20 November, 1986 for determination. An oral hearing of the case will be held as soon as possible. The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements as soon as they are made.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the appeal.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date a person (details supplied) in County Clare first appealed his unemployment assistance award; when the file was examined; when the oral hearing will be heard; and if she will make a statement on the unusual delay.
Following re-investigation of the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned, he was assessed with means of £69.35, derived from the profit from his holding. He is, accordingly, in receipt of £5.05 weekly, being the appropriate maximum rate payable in his case of £74.40 less means of £69.35.
He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him on 18 June, 1986 and, arising from contentions raised by him in support of his appeal, his papers were returned to the social welfare officer for further inquiries on 3 July, 1986.
Following completion of these inquiries his case was referred to an appeals officer on 25 September 1986 for determination. An oral hearing of the case will be held as soon as possible. The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements as soon as they are made.
The time taken to process appeals varies in accordance with the nature of the decision under appeal and whether or not the case is dealt with summarily or is the subject of an oral hearing. Delays can occur when an oral hearing is necessary and particularly when further investigation of means by a social welfare officer is looked for before a decision is made as in this case. However, every effort is being made to have appeals processed as speedily as possible.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason an old age pension was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; when a final decision on the appeal will be made; and how soon money will be paid.
Payment of the old age pension of the person concerned was suspended from 4 October 1985 as she failed to comply with a statutory request for details of her means.
Her old age pension entitlements are at present under investigation. On completion of the inquiries her case will be re-examined. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
It is expected to have this case finalised very shortly.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the unemployment assistance appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
Following re-investigation, the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that, by failing to furnish details of his means, he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance and an appeals officer, on 26 November 1986, also disallowed his claim. The person concerned has been informed of the appeals officer's decision.
If the person concerned feels that his circumstances have changed since the last investigation of his means it is open to him to apply for a review of his means. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
132.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the milk cessation premium will be treated as cash income or capital income for assessment under the unemployment assistance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The premium payable to milk producers who surrender quotas under the community milk cessation scheme will be treated as capital for unemployment assistance purposes and will be assessed under section 146 (1) (a) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981.
133.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will restore maximum unemployment assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1985, provides for equal treatment for men and women in matters of social welfare. It includes a revised definition of the term "adult dependant" and gives men and women an equal right to claim increases for child dependants. Under the Act a claimant's spouse who is in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance may not be admitted as a dependant of the claimant and the increase in respect of child dependants is payable at half the appropriate rate to each of the couple.
The wife of the person concerned is in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance and his rate of payment was accordingly reduced by the amount of the adult dependant allowance and half the child dependant allowance to £48.65. This comprises a personal rate of £35.50 and £13.15, being half the appropriate child dependant increase in respect of three children.
In addition, he has been granted a special transitional payment of £20 weekly to alleviate the loss of an increase in respect of his wife and the reduction in the child dependant rate. His current weekly rate of payment is therefore £68.65.