asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that many soldiers on being released from Army service are not entitled to unemployment benefits, if he will take steps to see that some arrangement is made that would enable them to be paid; further, whether he is aware that in some cases where men left their employment in answer to the call to arms they have not been reinstated by their former employers.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISCHARGED SOLDIERS (UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT).
I understand that only soldiers who had Unemployment Insurance contributions to their credit at the dates of their enlistment are eligible for unemployment benefit on discharge from the Army. To ensure the retention in each case of right to such benefit, it was provided by Section 7 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1923, that the minimum number (12) of contributions required to be made by previous Acts in each insurance year would be paid from Army funds in respect of each such year or part of such year that the soldier had served in the Army. It was not possible to make any further financial provision in connection with Unemployment Insurance. I should mention, however, that soldiers who are now being demobilised, except those who are discharged for ignominy, inefficiency, or for private reasons, are granted 28 days furlough with the pay of their rank, ration allowance of 2/- per day, and dependents' allowance where such is payable.
The question of the reinstatement of discharged soldiers in their pre-enlistment occupations which they left in answer to the call to arms is in the hands of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, who has set up a special section of his Department to look after this and other matters connected with the re-settlement of soldiers in civil life. I am sure that if the Deputy will communicate with that Minister, particulars of any cases he has in mind they will get good attention.