Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

789 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of unemployment payments, either unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance, in each of the past 24 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21468/01]

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

Details of the number of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance since September 1999 are set out in the following table below:

Month	UnemploymentBenefit	UnemploymentAssistance
Sep-99	57,247	112,183
Oct-99	54,953	107,345
Nov-99	55,208	106,177
Dec-99	56,118	106,208
Jan-00	59,657	106,140
Feb-00	59,363	103,893
Mar-00	57,424	100,972
Apr-00	52,852	85,431
May-00	49,150	81,843
June-00	48,922	79,159
Jul-00	51,913	78,751
Aug-00	52,828	78,674
Sep-00	46,259	75,812
Oct-00	43,997	72,603
Nov-00	44,399	70,905
Dec-00	47,372	71,666
Jan-01	48,233	71,475
Feb-01	48,491	69,735
Mar-01	47,712	66,645
Apr-01	49,842	67,007
May-01	46,528	66,174
June-01	47,817	64,865
Jul-01	52,373	66,041
Aug-01	55,658	68,114

Since September 1999 the number of persons in receipt of unemployment payments has dropped from 169,430 to 123,772. This represents a decrease of 45,658 or almost 27%. The main reasons for this significant decline are the additional job opportunities being created by the buoyant economy and the wide range of active labour market programmes targeted at the unemployed. The number of people in receipt of unemployment assistance declined by 44,069, or 39%, during this period. The proportion of persons long-term unemployed has dropped from 48% in June 1997 to 42% in September 1999 and 35% currently. This represents significant progress in the ongoing efforts to combat marginalisation and social exclusion.

The numbers of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit has remained relatively more stable over the period in question. The numbers of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit is, a function of,inter alia total participation levels in the labour market. The total labour force was 1,736,100 in September 1999 and stood at 1,779,100 in September 2000. While the rates of decrease in the total number of persons receiving unemployment payments have slowed somewhat in recent months following the impact of foot and mouth disease precautions and the general economic slowdown, I am confident that Government policies will ensure continued reduction in the numbers unemployed, in particular the long-term unemployed.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

790 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when an application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo for a carer's allowance will be approved. [21481/01]

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

The person concerned was recently awarded carer's allowance with effect from 12 July 2001 at the maximum weekly rate of £132.80 in respect of his care of both his parents. However, my Department understands that, since the award, one of the parents has died. Where a person being cared for dies and is not the spouse-partner of the carer, payment will continue to that carer for six weeks after the death. The person concerned will continue to receive payment for six weeks after the death, until 31 October 2001. With effect from 1 November 2001 his carer's allowance will reduce to £88.50 per week which represents the maximum rate payable to a carer looking after one care recipient.

Arrangements are currently being made to have a new book of payable orders issued to his nominated post office. Any arrears due, including the six weeks payment, will issue by payable order shortly.

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 Ring

Ceist:

791 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not yet received a maternity benefit payment. [21520/01]

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

Based on her Irish social insurance record the person concerned does not satisfy any of the qualifying contribution conditions for receipt of maternity benefit. Details provided by her when applying for maternity benefit indicate that she had been employed in the United Kingdom from 26 November 1996 to 16 July 2000. Contributions paid in another EU country may be combined to enable a person to qualify for maternity benefit. Her British social insurance record was requested on 8 May 2001. A response from the Department of Social Security was received on 3 September, 2001 requiring further information in relation to her employment in the United Kingdom. This information was requested from the person concerned on 19 September 2001. When she provides the neces sary details they will be forwarded directly to the Department of Social Security.

On receipt of her British social insurance record, her entitlement to maternity benefit will be further examined and she will be notified directly of the outcome.

Question No. 792 answered with Question No. 768.