asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of weeks a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim was not granted credits in respect of her claim for disability benefit for the 1986-87 contribution benefit; and the reason for same.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
58.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 27 February 1987.
From 1 March 1988 the contribution year governing her claim changed to the 1986-87 year. Because of an administrative error the Department's record only showed 46 credited contributions for 1986-87 which entitled her to payment at a reduced rate. However, a further five unemployment credits have now been added to her record which qualifies her for benefit at the maximum rate.
All benefit payable to 4 March 1988, the date of the latest medical certificate received, has been issued to her.
59.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the evidence he has to support his Department's contention that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not entitled to payment of unemployment assistance on the basis that he is alleged to be unavailable for employment.
The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance intermittently since 1982. He last claimed unemployment assistance on 10 September 1987 and was in receipt of payment up to 7 November 1987, apart from a period in the beginning of November 1987, when he indicated he was employed.
He signed off the unemployed register for one day each week from 7 November 1987 to 1 March 1988. Following a review of his claim a deciding officer disallowed his claim on the grounds that he was not unemployed. Evidence available to the Department indicated that the person concerned was employed with a firm of accountants. He appealed against the disallowance on 12 March 1988 and arrangements are being made to have his case submitted to an appeals officer for determination.
His entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision of the appeals officer.
60.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will return the unmarried mother's allowance book to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as it has now been ten weeks in his Department.
The claim of the person concerned for unmarried mother's allowance is at present under investigation by a local officer of the Department. The officer has made two unsuccessful calls to her address recently to interview the claimant. The officer will call again on Friday. 25 March and on receipt of the officer's report a decision will be given on the case immediately.