Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo currently has an entitlement to sign for credits. [12834/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Under certain circumstances a person may be awarded credited social insurance contributions, known as credits, without receiving a benefit or allowance payment. To be entitled to unemployment credits, a person must be available for full-time employment, capable of work and be genuinely seeking work.

A deciding officer disallowed the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned from 21 February 2006 on the grounds that he was not genuinely seeking employment. Consequently, he does not qualify for credited contributions.

It is open to the person concerned to appeal the decision on his claim and a form for this purpose was issued to him on 9 March 2006. Under social welfare legislation, decisions regarding claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.