asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he can state the reason for the delay in paying Unemployment Benefit to Peter Dempsey, Serial Card No. 645, Kildare Office, and late of the National Army, and, further, if he is aware that this man had his card stamped up to date when he joined the Army.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - KILDARE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT CLAIM.
Mr. O'HIGGINS (replying for Minister for Industry and Commerce)
Peter Dempsey, Rathangan, U.I. Book No. Kildare/645 claimed benefit at Kildare on the 4th January, 1924. Reference to his account with the Unemployment Insurance fund showed that no contributions had been paid on his behalf at any time and the claimant was, therefore, not entitled to credit of contributions in respect of his army service under Section 7 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1923. It was, however, ascertained that previous to his army service Mr. Dempsey had been engaged in insurable employment for a period of 14 weeks ended April, 1922, about which time he joined the Army, and that contributions had not been paid on his behalf in respect of that employment. Effective action was taken to secure payment of the contributions due in this connection and the arrears were duly collected and payment made to Mr. Dempsey in respect thereof on the 7th inst. No further benefit would appear to be payable to Mr. Dempsey.