Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing this matter to be taken on the adjournment this evening. It is unfortunate that I introduce a subject of this nature so early in the new Dáil session. I attribute no blame to the new Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, or to the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who I congratulate on their elevation to office. I wish them both many years of success answering similar questions in the House.

A person in my constituency, who originally came from Donegal, was awarded jobseeker's allowance, allegedly in error. The lady in question has a husband, who is unemployed, and two children. They have serious debt problems, as have many other people in the country. They have no means of subsistence other than the jobseeker's allowance, which it is claimed was awarded in error.

A strange thing occurred during the recent general election campaign. An oral hearing was held in Tullamore, County Offaly. Evidence was submitted to the hearing by the applicant, and the Department appealed the decision to grant the allowance on the grounds that it was made in error. I take strong exception to the decision made at the oral hearing. Soon after the hearing the lady was informed that her assets were sufficiently large to deem her ineligible for jobseeker's allowance. The ineligibility was based on alleged assets of €148,000, which was the estimated value of approximately 14 acres of bogland in a remote part of County Donegal. I mean no disrespect to Deputy McConalogue or to my colleagues from County Donegal. Suffice to say the land was not on a main road leading to anywhere, was not near a financial services centre and did not have road frontage. It was nothing more than bogland with access to commonage for the owner and 20 or 30 other people.

A valuation was previously carried out by an auctioneer and valuer for the purpose of obtaining a loan and, of course, the details differ in such a situation, which is how the figure of €148,000 arose, with no disrespect to the auctioneer and valuer. In my opinion, however, the land is worth nothing in the present climate. I offered to visit Donegal with the investigating officer to see for myself what exactly the property is worth. My claim is that it is worth nothing or, if it was saleable and was put on the market at present, it might make up to €20,000. However, there might be no offers, as with many other properties.

I would be grateful if the Minister would give me an opportunity to meet the relevant officer onsite. I am happy to travel that distance to prove a point, as the Minister herself would do and has done on many occasions in similar situations, as I believe a grave injustice has been done to this lady, who is now my constituent. As I have said, this family are in dire straits. They have no resources and no income from any source, good, bad or indifferent, and are likely to require serious discussions with their banks in the immediate future.

I thank the Minister for dealing with the debate. I would be grateful if she could facilitate a review.

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