asked the Minister for Social Welfare, given the plight of so many young people between the age of 16 and 18 years who are not eligible for unemployment assistance, if he intends to bring down the age of eligibility.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
64.
Under existing legislation, unemployment assistance is payable from age 18. The income needs of young people between the ages of 16 and 18 were examined by the Commission on Social Welfare which took the view that young people should be encouraged to remain at school as long as is practicable and the commission would not support any form of income maintenance which could in any way encourage them to leave the education system prematurely.
The various benefit and assistance payments made by my Department and the health boards include increases in respect of dependent children which are payable until they reach the age of 18 or higher if they are in full-time education. Supplementary welfare allowance may be paid directly to persons under the age of 18 who are not supported by a parent or guardian. In addition, FÁS provides a Youthreach programme for school leavers under 18 years which guarantees them up to two years co-ordinated and integrated training, work experience and temporary employment. The programme is full-time and available all the year round.
Lowering the qualifying age for payment of unemployment assistance would also have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
65.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that participation in Social Employment Schemes and FÁS schemes or committal to prison for persons who are drawing long-term unemployment assistance results in loss of long-term benefit; if he will take action to remove this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Payment of unemployment assistance at the long-term rate is payable in respect of any day of proven unemployment which forms part of a continuous period of interruption of unemployment during which the applicant has received payment for at least 390 days. Section 135 (2) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 defines a continuous period of interruption of employment as any two periods of unemployment not separated by an interval of more than 20 weeks.
In 1985 the legislation was amended to provide that periods of participation of up to one year in certain training and employment schemes were to be disregarded in determining whether any two periods of unemployment may be treated as continuous. The schemes covered include the social employment scheme and any course provided or approved by AnCO, which since 1 January 1988 has been incorporated with the National Manpower Service and the Youth Employment Agency in FÁS. The effect of this is that any person in receipt of the long-term rate of unemployment assistance who participates in one of the specified schemes for a period of up to one year will qualify for the long-term rate of unemployment assistance when he or she again "signs-on" within a period of 20 weeks from the date of finishing on the scheme.
The purpose of disregarding such periods is to remove the disincentive which might otherwise exist for claimants wishing to participate in the social employment scheme or FÁS training courses. This consideration does not arise in the case of persons committed to prison.
66.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Cork was disallowed a free fuel allowance.
The national fuel scheme applies to persons in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments who live alone or only with persons who come within certain categories.
A condition for the receipt of this allowance is that the applicant or members of their household do not have income greater than £5.00 a week, in addition to their invalidity pension.
As the person concerned is in receipt of a disablement pension of £20.63 per week in addition to his invalidity pension, he is not, therefore, eligible for a fuel allowance under the national fuel scheme.
67.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding the application of a person (details supplied) in County Louth for disability benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned was last insurably employed in Great Britain. Under EC regulations the country of last insurance is the competent institution for payment of disability benefit. The claim, therefore, is proper to the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. All papers in the case were transferred to the British authorities on 13 October, 1989 and the person concerned was advised of this on that date also.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of arrears of an unmarried mother's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and when payment will be made.
The person concerned, who was in receipt of an unmarried mother's allowance since 11 June 1987, applied for an increase in respect of a second child on 6 September 1989.
Following inquiries by the social welfare officer on 9 October 1989 it was found that she had married on 7 October 1989. Her claim was subsequently terminated with effect from 11 October 1989.
Arrears amounting to £103.20, in respect of her second child, for the period 17 August 1989—i.e. the next due date of payment following the date of birth of this child—to 11 October 1989 will be issued to her shortly.
69.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the grounds on which the medical referee found a person (details supplied) in County Cork fit for work in view of the details included in the letter written by the consultant physician at Ennis General Hospital, County Clare on 1 September 1989.
The person concerned was paid disability benefit to 27 July 1989, after which date payment was disallowed following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. She expressed dissatisfaction with this decision and a further examination by another medical referee was arranged. The medical evidence referred to by the Deputy was submitted to this medical referee. On examination, however, the medical referee still considered the claimant capable of work.
The claimant has now indicated that she wishes her case to be referred to an appeals officer for determination. Should the appeals officer consider that an oral hearing is necessary she will be advised of the time and place to attend when arrangements are complete.
70.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is being billed for PRSI despite the fact that he is in receipt of unemployment assistance.
The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance from 10 October 1988. The Revenue Commissioners issued a demand for PRSI contributions in respect of earnings from self-employment in the 1988-89 tax year on the basis of returns submitted to the local inspector of taxes in December 1988 and January 1989.
On both occasions the person concerned apparently neglected to advise them that he was in receipt of unemployment assistance from my Department which would have prevented a demand being issued. The demand from the Revenue Commissioners has now been cancelled.