Michael Ring
Ceist:188 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when an unemployment benefit appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [30177/00]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned is employed on a part-time basis. Her application for unemployment benefit was considered by a deciding officer who was of the opinion that she was not available for full-time employment. Her claim was disallowed accordingly on 12 October 2000.
The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office. Her case has been considered by an appeals officer who is of the opinion that an oral hearing is necessary. This will be arranged as soon as possible.
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.
Michael Creed
Ceist:189 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will explain the way in which the means test for farm assist applies. [30179/00]
In calculating means for the purposes of farm assist, account is taken of the gross yearly income which the farmer and his or her spouse may reasonably expect to receive from farming or any other self-employment, less any expenses necessarily incurred in carrying on the business. Where the farmer has dependent children, £200.00 per annum is disregarded in respect of each of the first two qualified children and £300.00 each per annum for subsequent children. Some 70% of the remaining net income is then assessed.
The assessment is designed to form a basis on which entitlement to farm assist can be determined. This means that the assessment of the expected annual income is based on normal output and costs appropriate to normal stock levels, capacity and market trends. Where a farmer disagrees with a means assessment, he or she may appeal the decision to the independent social welfare appeals office. In addition, where a farmer feels that his or her circumstances have changed since the most recent assessment, he or she may request a means review.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:190 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals he has to amend the legislation whereby child benefit is not paid during the period of work experience which is a compulsory pre-entry requirement to a third level course (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30180/00]
Child benefit is a universal payment which is payable in respect of all children up to the age of 16 years and continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19 who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability. Regulations prescribe the circumstances which determine whether, a child aged 16 years or over, may be regarded as receiving full-time education, for child benefit purposes.
According to the regulations, a child must be attending, on a full-time basis, a course of full-time instruction by day at an institute of education in order to be regarded as receiving full-time education. The regulations also stipulate that certain courses of training or instruction, including those which form part of an employment or work experience programme, may not be regarded as a course of full-time instruction at an institution of education. In the latter circumstances, child benefit would not be payable as the child would not be regarded as receiving full-time education as prescribed in the regulations.
I understand that the Deputy is proposing that the existing regulations should be amended in order that child benefit would be payable in a situation where work experience was a compulsory pre-entry requirement to a third level course. The introduction of such a measure could raise equity issues in relation to other people, in the same age group, who undertake work experience in order to enhance their prospects of gaining a place on a course or obtaining employment. In addition, the extension of child benefit to this category would have cost implications and consequently, would have to be considered in a budgetary context, having regard to Government priorities and the available resources.