Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021
332. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full review will take place into a jobseeker’s allowance application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49441/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) payment with effect from 28/06/2021 after his entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit expired on 26/06/2021. JA is a means tested payment. A means test is an assessment of all household income, savings, shares, investments or property that a person owns, apart from their own home. The means test also includes any income that a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has.
On 28/06/2021 a decision letter issued to the person concerned to advise that his claim for JA was disallowed. Following the means assessment undertaken by my officials, the person concerned was deemed to have weekly means of €990 which is in excess of the prescribed limit of €337.70 for a person with his family circumstances. Means were derived from land, a second property, spousal earnings, savings and shares. The property valuation was self-declared and when a requested auctioneer’s valuation for the land was not submitted the value was estimated by my officials.
The person concerned currently has a JA (means) appeal registered with the Social Welfare Appeals Office which operates independently of my Department. This appeal is currently assigned to an Appeals Officer for consideration and when the review has been completed he will be advised of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
