asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state why Martin Gaffey, Upper Irishtown, Athlone, has been refused benefit by the Labour Exchange, and if he is aware that this man was demobilised on May 19th, 1924, after two years' service in the National Army, and had to his credit, prior to attestation, three years' continuous contributions, and whether, in view of these facts, he will have this case reconsidered.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EX-SOLDIER'S UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The claim made by Martin Gaffey, of Upper Irishtown, Athlone, on the 20th May, 1924, had to be disallowed because he was disqualified for the receipt of benefit under sub-section 4 of Section 8 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, no contributions having been paid for him in the 1922/23 insurance year or since.
As the applicant's military service extended to the 19th May, 1924, he had failed to come within the provision made by Section 7 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1923, for the payment of contributions in respect of military service, but as soon as the Unemployment Insurance Bill, 1924, becomes law the disqualification which he incurred will disappear as from the 30th June, 1924, and contributions in respect of his military service can be paid for him in accordance with the provision of Section 4 of the Bill.
Will the three years' contribution that he had paid prior to joining the Army also count? He states he has three years' continued contribution before he left his employment to join the Army.
I cannot say that it will count, but it may count if the contributions in respect of his military service are paid.