Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is receiving their full entitlements in social welfare in relation to their unemployment assistance. [36781/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned is in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of €88.80 from 14 April 2004. His means, derived from the benefit of board and lodgings, are assessed at €260.

In the case of wage earning families, means are calculated by deducting rent or mortgage and a parental allowance of €133.32 per week, or €120.63 in the case of a single parent family, from the net parental income. The remainder is then divided by the number of non-earning members of the household, to arrive at the value of board and lodgings. To ensure that this is realistic, a limit of 17% of the net family income is applied.

In the case of the person concerned, the parental earnings were calculated at €450, less tax, €15.90, PRSI, €36.33 and mortgage, €45.46, giving a balance of €352.31. The 17% limit, which was the most beneficial option in this person's case, was then applied, giving a weekly means assessment of €60.00.

The person concerned did not appeal this decision. However, if his circumstances have changed, it is open to him to apply to have his means reviewed and a form for this purpose may be obtained from his local social welfare office.

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