asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the undue delay in resolving the problem of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary in respect of unemployment or pay-related benefits; and when payment will be made.

(Mayo West): The person concerned was employed in the United Kingdom up to November 1979 and on his return to this country was paid unemployment assistance from 3 December 1979 to 8 March 1980, when he ceased to sign the unemployed register. The person concerned stated that he was employed for one day on 20 December 1979 and on this basis he claimed unemployment benefit from 21 December 1979 under the provisions of the EEC regulations.

He was asked to furnish evidence of the employment but there was delay on his part in providing this. The insurability of the employment is at present being investigated and a decision on the matter will be given shortly. The entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of the decision.

I cannot be accused of rashness in putting down this parliamentary question because this query has been going on for two to three years. I did ask the Minister when payment would be made. Are we to take it that a further two to three years will elapse before any payment is made to this person?

(Mayo West): I understand that the investigations entered into by the deciding officer have been completed and it is for him to decide whether this person has insurability or not. One of the matters which has made the situation more difficult is that this man was employed in Britain and checking the length of time of his insurance in Britain took time.

Surely this would not take two-and-a-half years to decide? Could the deciding officer not make a prompt decision as to whether my constituent is entitled to unemployment benefit or not?

(Mayo West): I must accept that there seems to be undue delay in having this case processed. I will take the matter up again with my Department in an endeavour to get an early decision.

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