asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the payment of unemployment benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.

The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit on 4 December 1981 and he asked that his claim should be back-dated to 31 October 1981. His claim has been authorised for payment from 4 December 1981 and payment will issue to him when he furnishes evidence of unemployment i.e. a certificate of unemployment certified at his local Garda Station.

As regards the period 31 October to 3 December 1981, the claimant is required to prove that there was good cause for his failure to make his claim at the proper time. This aspect of his claim will be considered when he completes and returns to the local office the forms which issued to him requesting evidence as to the date of termination of employment and his explanation of failure to claim at the due date.

747.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will arrange for the immediate payment of an old age pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.

While non-contributory old age pension was awarded by the local pensions committee to the person concerned, the award was made subject to the provisions of the overlapping benefits regulations. The position is that the husband of the person concerned receives a retirement pension which incorporates an adult dependant allowance in respect of her. The rate of this allowance is slightly higher than the rate of old age pension awarded and has continued in payment as it is more favourable. Concurrent payment of the two is precluded by the overlapping benefits regulations.