(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a decision in the appeal of a person (name supplied) in County Cavan against the decision terminating his unemployment assistance; and the reason for the delay, in view of the fact that there is severe hardship in this case.

The application for unemployment assistance by the person concerned was disallowed by a deciding officer on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit applicable in his case. He appealed against this decision and the appeals officer upheld the decision of the deciding officer. An appeals officer's decision is final in the absence of new facts or fresh evidence.

Following representations by the Deputy, the applicant's means were reinvestigated and a deciding officer has again decided that the means exceed the statutory limit. The applicant has been notified of this decision and of his right to appeal.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Could the Minister tell me when the last decision was given?

28th November, 1977.

(Cavan-Monaghan): That is the day before yesterday. Could the Minister tell me how long this appeal had been pending?

Since July. The Deputy made representations in July, 1977, and the investigation was proceeding since then. A number of protracted inquiries had to be made.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Was this man's unemployment assistance disallowed on the grounds he was in occupation of land other than the land admitted to be occupied by him?

I am afraid I must rely on the decision of the appeals officer and the deciding officer, both of whom decided his means exceeded the statutory limit.

(Cavan-Monaghan): May I ask the Minister if this man has the right to appeal?

Yes.

(Cavan-Monaghan): If an appeal is lodged will the Minister see to it that it is processed without undue delay?

Certainly.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Finally, does the Minister's information disclose whether or not the complaint in this case arose out of an anonymous letter or anonymous information?

I am not aware of that.