asked the Minister for Social Welfare the rate at which unemployment benefit was being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and how the initial lump sum payment was calculated.

The person concerned is entitled to flat-rate unemployment benefit at the reduced rate of £29.30 weekly on the basis of 39 weeks of insurable employment during the governing contribution period 6 April 1981 to 5 April 1982.

He was paid arrears amounting to £346.75 representing the amount of unemployment benefit due from 6 January 1983, the fourth day of unemployment, to 29 March 1983. He was also entitled to pay-related benefit with flat rate unemployment benefit at £7.64 weekly and all arrears of pay-related benefit amounting to £78.96 were paid to him on 13 May 1983.