Vol. 559 No. 1
443 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if an unemployment benefit appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be reopened considering that the person is continuing to actively look for work; when her Department will return the refusal letters from prospective employers to this person as promised; and the reason this person is being denied unemployment benefit considering they are actively and continuing seeking work. [25639/02]
The continued entitlement to unemployment benefit of the person concerned was reviewed on 21 May 2002 when she was requested to provide details of her efforts to find full-time employment. In the light of the details provided, the deciding officer concluded that she had failed to show that she was genuinely seeking full-time work and disallowed her claim accordingly from 6 June 2002.
She appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office in July 2002 and an oral hearing of her appeal was held on 8 October 2002. Having considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, the appeals officer was not satisfied that the person was genuinely seeking full-time employment and disallowed her appeal. The person was notified of the decision of the appeals officer on 18 October 2002. It is open to the person to submit new evidence to the appeals officer for consideration.
The letters which were submitted by the person in response to the Department's request for evidence that she was seeking full-time employment will be returned to her 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.
444 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive child benefit for their child considering that they submitted the form from the college in September 2002; the reason this person did not receive child benefit payment for another child for October and November on returning the book to her Department as instructed; if she will investigate the fact that this person tried on several occasions to telephone the child benefit section with no success and without being able to speak with anybody in that section; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25640/02]
When the person concerned applied for extended benefit for one of her children and returned the benefit book for a change in the office of payment, the benefit was not in payment to her and it was necessary to confirm her entitlement before payment could be re-issued. This matter has now been resolved and a replacement book is in the course of issue. The payment book contains arrears of €705.60 for the period July to November 2002 and payment of €235.20 a month from December 2002. She will be informed when it is available for collection.
I regret that the person concerned has experienced difficulty in contacting the relevant office of my Department. There are particular difficulties in processing claims for child benefit at present but every effort is being made to restore service to normal levels as quickly as possible.
