Vol. 511 No. 5
79 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he will have in the forthcoming budget or within his Department to reform the procedure whereby in all circumstances the first three days of an unemployment benefit claim are precluded from payment and for short-term working applications, for example, in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and his views on whether this is in need of reform. [24790/99]
Under the relevant social welfare legislation, a person who claims unemployment benefit is not normally paid for the first three days, which are known as waiting days. Where, however, the person had a claim in respect of the scheme within the previous 13 weeks, payment may be made from the first day of the claim.
The person concerned made a claim for unemployment benefit on 26 October 1999. As more than 13 weeks has elapsed since his most recent previous claim, three waiting days were applied to this claim and the level of unemployment benefit payable in his case was adjusted accordingly.
80 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is being assessed as having means from other sources totalling £7; if his Department will advise her on the way in which she can get these high returns on her small capital sum; and if his Department will review its decision in her case in view of the fact it is based on unrealistic interest rates. [24792/99]
Under current legislation, in assessing the value of capital for the purposes of unemployment assistance and supplementary welfare allowance the first £400 is assessed at 5 per cent and the balance is assessed at 10 per cent.
The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance. She has £4,000 in a credit union account which has been assessed in the manner set out above to give her weekly means of £7. This assessment entitles her to payment of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £65, maximum short-term personal rate of £72 less £7 means. Should her circumstances change, it would be open to the person concerned to apply for a review of her means. I am reviewing the current method of assessing capital. Any change in this regard would have financial implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context.
