Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Appeals.

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

338 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if, following the appeal on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick where her appeal was disallowed as she was not genuinely seeking work, the Department will outline details of employers in the Foynes area who are seeking employees on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29831/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

To qualify for an unemployment payment a person must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of a deciding officer, that he or she is available for and genuinely seeking full-time work without undue restriction. The onus is clearly on the applicant to demonstrate this.

When deciding a claim, a deciding officer will take into account the economic environment and employment opportunities available, not only in the immediate or surrounding area. However, deciding officers are not required to refer claimants to specific employment opportunities, nor could their decisions be conditional on them being in a position to do so

The person concerned who is employed on a casual basis, reapplied for unemployment benefit having exhausted 15 months entitlement to benefit on 26 June 2000. The deciding officer was not satisfied that she was available for or genuinely seeking work other than with her current employer. Her claim was disallowed accordingly and this decision was upheld by an appeals officer.