asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state in relation to (i) the entire country and (ii) County Galway the number of people in receipt of unemployment assistance in rural areas who received notice that their payment would cease from the 1st April, 1977; the number who appealed against the decision; and when a decision will be reached on the appeals.

Approximately 1,450 smallholders with land valuations in excess of £20 were notified that as from the 29th March, 1977, they would cease to be entitled to unemployment assistance on the basis of a notional assessment of their means from their holdings; of the number notified about 250 were registered at local offices of my Department in County Galway. The persons concerned were informed that their entitlement to unemployment assistance after the 29th March, 1977, would depend on the assessment of their means on the normal factual basis and arrangements are proceeding accordingly to have means reassessed in cases where this is necessary.

To date five appeals have been received against decisions arising from reassessments in these cases, of which one is from a person in County Galway. Decisions on the appeals will be given as soon as possible.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it is most unfair that a farmer with a land valuation of £20 should have his unemployment assistance discontinued while a decision was under appeal? Would it not be a better system to wait until a decision had been made on the appeal?

The procedure followed in regard to smallholders is precisely that followed in regard to all social welfare cases. There is no departure from the normal procedure in these cases.

Were not the means tests carried out before 1st April?

It is not a question of a means test. Twenty-one days must elapse after the decision has been given in order to allow a person time to appeal. As I explained in my reply, out of all the decisions given only five persons appealed and only one of these was from County Galway.

Which system is used to ascertain the income of farmers? Is it the system used in regard to old age pensions or to medical cards?

It would not be the system used for medical cards because that is operated by the health boards. It would be the system operated by the Department of Social Welfare.