asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Laois who claimed unemployment assistance in December 1982, has received only weekly forms for completion and no payment to date; if he is aware that auditors' returns were submitted by his parents to the social welfare office at Portlaoise; and the reason payment has not been made in this special and needy case.

According to the records of the Department the person concerned claimed unemployment assistance on 21 February 1983. His case was referred to a social welfare officer for investigation of his means.

It was ascertained that he was residing with his parents and he was asked on numerous occasions to furnish details of the household income, to enable the value of his board and lodging in his parents' home to be determined but he did not do so. His unemployment assistance claim was subsequently disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of income he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit. He did not, to date, appeal against the disallowance of his claim.

There is no record of audited documents being received in support of his case at the Department's local offices or at the Department's headquarters.

21.