Vol. 395 No. 3
133 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the changes in the rate of a wife's personal expenses when her husband seeks unemployment assistance, over the last five years; and his views on whether the current £45 is in need of revision.
Section 146 (1) (e) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 as amended by section 13 of the Social Welfare (No. 2) Act, 1985 provides that the estimated value to the household from all income earned by the spouse of an unemployment assistance claimant in respect of current personal employment under a contract of service is assessable as means.
In assessing this income, a weekly allowance of £45 is currently made in respect of expenses associated with the spouse's employment. The allowance is designed to cover the expenses associated with the spouse's employment such as clothing and lunch expenses. This allowance is reviewed each year in the context of budgetary changes in social welfare rates of assistance.
A further allowance is made in respect of any travel expenses incurred by the spouse. This allowance has been increased in line with current travel expenses.
134 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry had his application for an old age pension rejected on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person concerned entered into an agreement to let his holding to his daughter. However, this arrangement did not affect his basic title in the holding and he was being assessed with its annual value. An appeals officer reviewed the case and determined on 12 January 1990 that the person concerned is not entitled to a pension as his means assessed at £66.33 per week exceed the statutory limit for entitlement.
It is, however, open to the person concerned to reapply for a pension, if there is a change in his circumstances.
135 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in dealing with the old age pension application submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
An application for old age non-contributory pension in respect of the person concerned was received in my Department on 15 November 1989.
Before a decision could be made regarding entitlement to pension, it was first necessary to obtain confirmation of the land and stock holdings of the applicant. This information has now been received and the person concerned has been awarded an old age non-contributory pension of £33.90 from 17 November 1989. This is the rate of pension payable to a person living alone, with weekly means of £24.68. A pension book has issued to the person concerned payable from 17 November 1989.
136 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding an application for a free fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
In November 1989, an application for free fuel allowance in respect of the person concerned was rejected on the grounds that he was able to provide for his own heating needs.
The case has been forwarded to the social welfare officer for re-investigation at the pensioner's request on 31 January 1990. The social welfare officer is due to interview him in connection with his application for the free fuel allowance shortly.
On completion of the necessary inquiries his case will be referred for decision and he will be notified of the outcome in due course.
