Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the unemployment assistance for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been reduced; if he will provide a breakdown of all income to the household for both this person and their spouse. [34028/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since 30 September 2003. Following a review, a deciding officer assessed the person concerned with means of €276 from 2 November 2005 which were derived from income from her spouse's earnings. As her spouse is working and earning more than €220 per week, she is not entitled to an adult dependant allowance in respect of him. She is also only entitled to half the child dependant rate. Weekly means are derived from her spouse's earnings less the working spouse allowance of €88.88. Half of these means are deducted from the maximum weekly rate payable which in this person's case is €165.60. The person concerned is therefore entitled to payment of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of €27.60 as set out in the following table.

Further information has been received from the person concerned regarding additional income from farming and her case has been referred to the social welfare inspector for re-examination. When a decision is made the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.