asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in processing the application for social welfare assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.

Applications for unemployment assistance in July 1981 and August 1982 were rejected on the grounds that by refusing to disclose his means the person concerned failed to show that his weekly means did not exceed the statutory limit. He made a further application on 29 January 1983 but when a social welfare officer called on him to investigate his means he was not available for interview. A further effort will be made by the social welfare officer to contact him this week. When the inquiries are completed his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be determined in the light of the social welfare officer's report.

This matter has been going for a long period of time. This man has been seriously maltreated in respect of means which he does not have access to. The question I am asking through the Chair is, why are the Department seeking audited accounts from the brother with whom this man is residing? If this man seeks a demountable dwelling, which he will, from the local authority, at further expense to the State, he will be entitled to full social welfare assistance. In view of that I would ask the Minister to have a further look at the case and to direct this social welfare officer, in view of the number of persons in similar circumstances in the area who are benefiting under the scheme, to examine this case further in the light of the evidence that has been adduced over a long period. This man is demanding his just entitlement.

My information is that there is some problem in getting the applicant to disclose his means but, as I have indicated, the social welfare officer intends to call again to see if he can get full information and then we can dispose of the case.

There is no possibility of getting audited accounts from the brother. I do not think that is on and the social welfare officer has no rights.

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