Michael Ring
Ceist:176 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a per son (details supplied) in County Mayo is not getting the one parent family allowance. [7170/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
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.
The person concerned had been in receipt of one parent family payment up to 20 March 2000 when payment was stopped because her means from employment exceeded the statutory limit. She reapplied for this payment in October last. In the inquiries in relation to this application, questions have arisen as to whether she has the main care and charge of her child. She was requested to furnish information in this regard. Her application was refused on 20 February last as the necessary information was not furnished.
She was informed of this decision in writing and of her right to appeal this decision, within 21 days, by writing to the independent social welfare appeals office in Dublin, stating clearly the grounds of her appeal. Alternatively, if she produces the required documentation, her entitlement to one parent family payment will be re-examined.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:177 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will examine the situation of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who has been working part-time for 15 hours per week for some years in accordance with her availability and family circumstances, who was recently made redundant and refused unemployment benefit although she has proved her attempts to obtain similar part-time work; his views on the matter; and if he will allow her claim as this decision seems in conflict with the spirit of part-time workers legislation currently before Dáil Éireann. [7224/01]
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.
The customer made a claim for unemployment benefit on 2 February 2001 as a result of the closure of the company she was employed with. She worked two days weekly on a part-time basis.
In her application for unemployment benefit, the customer stated that she was only seeking part-time employment as she had other commitments and would be unavailable for full-time work. A deciding officer disallowed the claim on the grounds that she was not available for full-time work and not genuinely seeking work. She appealed this decision and her appeal will be dealt with by the social welfare appeals office as soon as possible.
The rules for entitlement to unemployment payments require that a person must be available to take up full-time and, where other responsibilities restrict their availability for such work or where they place unreasonable restrictions on the hours of work they are prepared to accept, they are not entitled to payment.