asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that residents in the Six County Area, who joined the National Army and have since been demobilised, are debarred from the benefits of the Unemployment Act; whether he is aware they have been informed by the Northern Government that they are not entitled to such benefit until the Free State Government make good the necessary contributions under the Unemployment Act for the period of service with the National Army, and what steps, if any, he intends to take in the matter.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYED BENEFIT FOR DEMOBILISED N.A. SOLDIERS (SIX COUNTY AREA).
Mr. HOGAN (for Minister for Industry and Commerce)
The facts are substantially as stated in the question. The Government of Northern Ireland is wrong in informing ex-members of the National Army that they are not entitled to benefit unless contributions are paid into the Northern Unemployment Fund by the Saorstát. Such men's rights to benefit are in no way affected by service in the National Army. The Northern Government in demanding the payment of contributions in respect of their Army service as a condition for the payment of benefit, which the men would receive if they had never served in the Army, is in effect making their Army service a disqualification for benefit. The contributions demanded could not be paid without legislation, which, in view of the rights already possessed by the men concerned, the Minister for Industry and Commerce could not recommend.
Is the Minister satisfied in this particular case whether these men were in an insured occupation prior to enlistment or not? If they were, and if the cards were not stamped for that particular period they would be disqualified from benefit—did the Minister satisfy himself on that?
Mr. HOGAN
That is not the point in this question. On the facts they are entitled to uncovenanted benefit, which they are not receiving from the Northern Government, who refused it on the grounds that they made no contribution. That ground would only be justifiable if they were applying for covenanted benefit.
Will the Government assist these men to take legal action in order to assert their rights?
Mr. HOGAN
I would like notice of that question.
Is it not a fact that that is the regulation, that a person who is in an insured occupation prior to enlistment ought to have his card stamped while in the Army?
Mr. HOGAN
What has that got to do with it?
It has got a lot to do with it, surely.