Vol. 480 No. 6
366 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason the survivors of a deceased person (details supplied) have not been paid the death grant which they feel strongly they are entitled to, where the deceased had worked all his life and had credited the necessary contributions from as far back as 1967 onwards. [14323/97]
367 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a death grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, following the death of his father. [14326/97]
369 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, whose husband died on 10 May 1989, and who was also in receipt of a full contributory pension prior to his death, never received the death grant for her husband. [14328/97]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 366, 367 and 369 together.
According to the Department's records there is no trace of an application for a death grant in respect of the person concerned. Under the legislation, only one grant may be paid in respect of any death. Further information on the scheme and an application form are being issued to the surviving spouse. On receipt of the completed application, entitlement will be considered and the applicant will be notified of the result.
368 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs whether a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, who was previously long-term unemployed on a FÁS course, qualifies for the back-to-work allowance scheme; and whether her application after commencing employment should not be rejected in view of the fact that she so applied after commencing employment. [14327/97]
The objective of the back-to-work allowance scheme is to provide a financial incentive to long-term unemployed people to return to the active labour force. The scheme is, therefore, designed to encourage persons who have been without a job for more than 12 months to return to work by providing them with a financial incentive for three years. It is targeted at people who are unable to find employment without such a financial incentive. It is a requirement of the scheme that an applicant must apply for the allowance prior to taking up employment.
The person concerned took up employment on 24 April 1997 but did not apply for the allowance until 4 July 1997. Her application was refused on the grounds that she had been able to obtain employment without recourse to the scheme. She submitted a letter of appeal but on review it was decided that there were no grounds for changing the original decision. She was so informed on 18 July 1997.
