asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, for which he has been signing for some time.

The reason that unemployment assistance is not being paid to the person concerned is that his qualification certificate was revoked on the grounds that he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit for entitlement in his case. He has appealed against the decision and arrangements are being made to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination.

206.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the maximum rate of old age pension in 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.

The information required is as follows:

Maximum basic weekly rate of non-contributory old age pension.

*plus 2s.6d. cash supplement from 4 April 1947, increased to 5s.0d. from 4 July 1947 in urban areas.

*Cash supplements ceased with effect from 7 January 1949.

207.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of unemployment assistance (small-holders) to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.

The reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to the person concerned was that prolonged inquiries were necessary to ascertain the value of his means. These inquiries have recently been completed and payment of unemployment assistance was restored on 22 January 1981.

If the person concerned is not satisfied with the decision of the deciding officer it is open to him to appeal and to have his case referred to an appeals officer for determination. A form for this purpose may be obtained at his local office.

208.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.

The person concerned is not entitled to unemployment benefit as his social insurance record shows no contributions paid or credited for several years. As he claims to have been in employment, the non-payment of contributions is being investigated and when inquiries are completed the question of his entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed. In the meantime the person concerned has claimed unemployment assistance and steps have been taken to deal with his claim as expeditiously as possible.