Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Jul 1923

Vol. 4 No. 12

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that in a large number of claims for Unemployment Benefit in Newbridge Branch Office of the Labour Exchange no payments have been made yet, though some of the men have been signing up for eight or nine weeks, and, as a result, are suffering much privation and hunger; whether this delay in dealing with claims is due to the understaffing of the local office, only one clerk being employed; and further, whether the Minister will give orders to expedite payment to all claimants affected and take such measures as may be necessary to prevent such delays in the future.

The Deputy has given me ten cases in which delay has occurred. In nine of these cases certain facts came to light which have rendered necessary an investigation of the claims in question. These investigations are not yet complete, but efforts will be made to bring them to a speedy conclusion. Meanwhile, benefit cannot be paid on the current claims of the persons concerned. The delay in payment is due to this cause and not to the under-staffing of the Local Office as suggested in the question. In the tenth case there has been a question of the refund of contributions paid in error, and consequent on the refund the rights of the applicant to benefit which are dependent on the contributions remaining to his credit have had to be reviewed.

Is the Minister aware that a second clerk was appointed yesterday morning to that particular office? Therefore, I think that the office was understaffed. I would also like to bring under notice of the Minister that there are complaints coming in about that office for the last twelve months. I would wish that he would see that the payments of claims are speeded up better than they were in the past.

I have endeavoured to point out to the Deputy that the ten cases in which he is interested, and which he has submitted to me are cases where investigation has been found necessary because of alleged certain practices on the part of persons making the claims. The payment of these claims consequently cannot be due to want of staff in the local office.

Top
Share