Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 966: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted the arrears of jobseekers allowance due to them; the reason the person received a letter on 8 January 2009 regarding the approval. [1507/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned is in receipt of jobseeker's allowance since 4 March 2008. Following the introduction of a new method of assessment of benefit derived from parental income, his means were revised from €58.00 to nil with effect from 27 April 2008 and his weekly rate of payment increased to €197.80. His personal weekly rate of jobseeker's allowance is now €204.30. However, since he commenced casual employment on 10 November 2008, he is assessed with means of €24.00 per day, in respect of each day worked.

The letters issued to him on 8 January 2009 were notices regarding his means assessments and informing him that arrears of €2,724.90 in respect of the period from 27 April 2008 to 6 January 200 9, issued to him on 9 January 2009. 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 regard to making such decisions.