asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the minimum allowance for unemployment assistance was granted to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon who has no income.

The person concerned applied for unemployment assistance on 7 June 1983 and was assessed with weekly means of £23.60 derived from the maintenance portion of a student grant and from the value of board and lodgings in her parents' home. She asked for a review of her means, and following further inquiries her weekly means were reduced to £4.35 from 7 June 1983 and to £2.30 from 28 September 1983, derived from the value of board and lodgings in her parents' home. Unemployment assistance was authorised accordingly at £21.10, that is, £25.45 less the £4.35, from 7 June 1983, increased to £23.65 from 29 June 1983, and £25.70 from 28 September 1983. All arrears due will be paid to her this week. Further weekly payments of £25.70 will continue to be made when they become due.

7.