Liam Fitzgerald
Ceist:213 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current position regarding an appeal lodged on 4 December 1996, by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 whose unemployment assistance has been reduced by £40 from 4 December 1996, in view of the fact that his wife took up a child minding position at the rate of £40 per week; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person approached an official at his Department prior to taking up this employment and specifically mentioned the nature of the employment she wished to take up and the amount she would be receiving per week and was assured that it would not affect her husband's unemployment assistance; if his Department will refund to her husband the £40 per week deducted from his unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6066/97]