The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance at the maximum weekly rate from 11 March 1998 to 24 December 2002. He was also in receipt of a back to work enterprise allowance from 25 December 2002 to 28 February 2004.
In the context of a review of his entitlements, it came to light that the person concerned had a farm. He had not informed my Department of this at the time of his application. When interviewed regarding his farm he stated that he had no stock and no income from the farm in the period from 11 March 1998 to 24 December 2002. He also denied receiving any payments from the Department of Agriculture and Food. It was later established that he received annual payments from that Department, including cattle headage, suckler cow, REPS and area-based payments.
Consequently, a deciding officer disallowed the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned for the period 11 March 1998 to 24 December 2002. He failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limits for receipt of unemployment assistance payments during the period in question. The statutory limits were as follows: €172 from 11 March 1998, €175.35 from 27 May 1998, €181.70 from 26 May 1999, €191.60 from 26 April 2000, €193.89 from 28 March 2001 and €214.40 from 26 December 2001.
As a result of the revised decision by the deciding officer an overpayment of €48,885.55 occurred and is recoverable from the person concerned. This is the total amount of unemployment assistance paid to him during the period in question.
If he considers the decision to be incorrect he can send further documentary evidence to his local social welfare office. He can also appeal the decision to the independent social welfare appeals office.
Under social welfare legislation decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. They are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.