asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of pay-related benefit on the unemployment benefit claim of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow and when his Department will sanction this payment.

The person concerned is not entitled to pay-related benefit as the weekly amount of flat rate unemployment benefit paid to him during his recent claim exceeded 85 per cent of his net weekly earnings during the period from 6 April 1979 to the date on which his claim to unemployment benefit commenced.

Can the Minister say how long it took the Department to convey that information to the claimant?

The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment benefit from 29 March 1980 to 2 December 1980. As particulars of his earnings were not available during the 1978-79 income tax year, he was requested to furnish a certificate in April 1980. He did not reply to the request and he was again asked to supply the necessary details in November 1980. He supplied a certificate of earnings on 16 January 1981 and the necessary inquiries were then put in train. The result is that he is not entitled to pay-related benefit.

In view of the long delays in this and in other cases — the Minister has accepted this — will the Minister be willing to consider increasing the amount to be paid when payments are eventually made as a recognition that inflation has eroded the real value of the money in the meantime?

This is a case in which benefit was not due. I will note the point the Deputy has made.

12.