Bernard Allen
Ceist:82 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons in receipt of (1) unemployment benefit and (2) unemployment assistance at 30 April 1991 in Cork city; and the comparative figures for 30 April 1990.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
Number of Recipients of Unemployment Payments in Cork City.
|
Unemployment Benefit |
Unemployment Assistance |
|
|
April 1990 |
3,643 |
9,728 |
|
April 1991* |
3,838 |
8,827 |
*Includes the effects of the ESB strike.
Brian Cowen
Ceist:83 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will implement the decision mentioned in the budget in 1990 whereby in assessing means for noncontributory old age pension eligibility, his Department are not to take into account the proceeds of the sale of a family home; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Section 35 of the Social Welfare Act, 1990 provided for regulatory powers which would exempt income received from the sale of a claimant's residence in certain circumstances from the assessment of means for old age (non-contributory) pension and, in the case of persons aged 66 or over widow's (noncontributory) pension and lone parent's allowance.
Before making the regulations, it was necessary to consult with other Government Departments and other agencies concerned. Those consultations are now completed and I will be making the necessary regulations shortly.
Nora Owen
Ceist:84 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the fact that the person has six dependants and a child expected imminently.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer with effect from 16 April 1991. The grounds on which this decision was based were that, by failing to make himself available for interview and furnish details of his means to a social welfare officer, the person concerned had failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit for receipt of a qualification certificate which would entitle him to apply for payment of unemployment assistance.
He appealed against this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office and his case has been referred back to the social welfare officer to allow the person concerned a further opportunity of being interviewed and disclosing his means.
William Cotter
Ceist:85 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will amend the terms of the family income supplement so that, in computing the income of a bereaved person with dependent children, an allowance of £80 per week will be allowed for the purpose of employing a housekeeper and that the reckonable income under the scheme should be the gross income less the amount of £80 per week and that this amendment should apply for as long as the person remains a widowed parent; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am concerned that lone parents should be given every encouragement to take up paid employment where it is possible for them to do so.
Existing provisions already take into account the situation of lone parents who continue to work, while raising a family. For example, in assessing the means of persons claiming the lone parent's allowance, all reasonable child-minding and travel to work expenses are allowable and are not assessed as means. In addition, the widow's contributory pension continues to be payable where the claimant is working.
I am considering what further measures might be taken to facilitate lone parents in taking up employment. The role of the family income supplement scheme will be taken into account in that context.