asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that Wm. O'Brien, of Butler's Lane, Athy, Co. Kildare, who attested on the 7th August, 1922, and was discharged on the 22nd May, 1923 (Unemployment Insurance Book 364), has been signing the Unemployment Register for three months, and that although repeated applications have been made to the Department and the Minister for Defence, he has not received unemployment benefit; to ask whether, as this man and his family are destitute, instructions will be given to expedite payment.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ATHY SOLDIER'S UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT.
The facts regarding the Army service of William Bryan, of Butler's Lane, Athy, appear to be as stated in this question. After his release from the army, he claimed and received unemployment insurance benefit for 15 weeks in the benefit year ending 17th October last. When he claimed benefit in the second benefit year, which commenced on the 18th October, it was found that this case fell under the disqualification imposed by Sub-sec. 4 of Section 8 of the U.I. Act, 1920. Mr. Bryan was discharged before the passing of the U.I. Act, 1923, and had not claimed contributions in respect of his army service, which were necessary to keep him in insurance. The Ministry, therefore, had to investigate his right to such contributions. It was found that he satisfied the necessary conditions, and accordingly payment of all the benefit to which he is entitled was authorised and the authority to pay sent to Athy local office on Tuesday last. In the circumstances the delay in establishing his right to have contributions paid in respect of his army service could not have been avoided.