asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in paying arrears in respect of an increase in unemployment assistance which are due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for the period from the date of entitlement to the date of payment of the actual rate of unemployment assistance at the full rate.

The means of the person concerned were reviewed with effect from 8 April 1982 and unemployment assistance became payable at the weekly rate of £25.20 being the maximum rate £25.45 less means £0.25 derived from the value of land.

However, he was in receipt of advances of supplementary welfare allowance pending the outcome of the review of his means and the amount of supplementary welfare allowance advanced to him had to be recouped to the health board out of the unemployment assistance to which he became entitled.

Accordingly unemployment assistance at the rate of £25.20 weekly in his case only became payable from 17 August 1982 and there are no arrears of unemployment assistance due to him.

Question Nos. 20, 21 and 22 for written reply.

23.