Michael Ring
Ceist:650 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was not approved for unemployment benefit during the summer months. [17575/99]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned is a part-time worker whose period of employment each year excludes three months – mid-June to
mid-September. Her hours of work are restricted to mornings only while in employment.
When her employment ceased for the summer months, she claimed unemployment benefit. Her claim was, however, disallowed on the basis that she was available for work only in the mornings and was not seeking full-time employment.
The person concerned has appealed this decision and an appeals officer has decided that an oral hearing is appropriate in her case. The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements for the hearing.
Michael Ring
Ceist:651 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the forms used when applying for unemployment benefit will be reviewed to allow an applicant to indicate they are available for full-time work of a short-term nature only, for example, school holidays. [17576/99]
One of the conditions for receipt of unemployment benefit or assistance requires a person to be available for and genuinely seeking work. The information provided by the claimant on his/her application form and related documents is taken into account by the deciding officer in considering whether a person fulfils this requirement.
It is considered that the forms make adequate provision for claimants to outline their position in relation to their efforts to seek employment, including the circumstances outlined by the Deputy.