asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that some months ago claims to unemployment benefit lodged by T. and J. O'Sullivan, father and son, of Bere Island, Bantry Bay, Co. Cork, were rejected by his Department on the ground that one of the claimants held a small patch of very poor land, and whether, in view of the fact that decisions such as the foregoing have in similar cases been recently reconsidered, he will take steps to review the above cases and authorise the payment of benefit.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (CO. CORK).
Claims to unemployment benefit made by Timothy Sullivan and John T. Sullivan, both of Bere Island, on the 26th January, 1925, were finally disallowed by the Umpire under Section 7 (1) (ii) and (iii) on the grounds that the claimants were not unemployed and not unable to obtain suitable employment. The decision of the Umpire is final, and cases decided by him could only be revised on fresh facts of which he was not aware when deciding the cases. No additional evidence has been put forward in these two cases. Timothy Sullivan again claimed benefit on the 8th February, 1926, and John T. Sullivan made a claim on 22nd February, 1926. As there was no evidence that the circumstances of these claims had changed, both claims were disallowed by the insurance officer. Timothy Sullivan has appealed against the decision to the Court of Referees and his appeal will be heard at an early date. John T. Sullivan also has the right of appeal from the decision of the insurance officer, and the time for exercising that right has not yet expired.