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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Dec 1926

Vol. 17 No. 8

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFIT (LEIX).

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if and when the application for unemployment insurance benefit was received from Mr. P. Gorman, Chapel Street, Ballacolla, Leix; whether he is now prepared to sanction payment of the amount claimed, or state the reason why he is not in a position to do so.

Patrick Gorman, of Chapel Street, Ballacolla, last claimed unemployment benefit on the 26th August, 1926. This claim was disallowed in the first instance, but was subsequently allowed as a result of appeal to the Court of Referees. As Mr. Gorman had only 5 unexhausted contributions to his credit in the Unemployment Fund, he was only entitled to 5 days' benefit on this claim, and that amount has been paid to him. He has, therefore, exhausted his right to benefit.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if and when the application for unemployment insurance benefit was received by his Department from Mr. Thomas Hibbetts, Lord Edward Street, Mountmellick, Leix; whether he is now prepared to sanction payment of the amount claimed, or state the reasons why he cannot do so.

A claim to unemployment benefit made by Thomas Hibbetts, of Lord Edward Street, Mountmellick, on the 1st March, 1926, was disallowed under the first part of Section 8 (4) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, on the ground that no contribution had been paid for the claimant in or since the 1922-23 insurance year. Against this decision he appealed to the Court of Referees, which recommended that the claim should be disallowed, a recommendation with which the insurance officer agreed. The claimant will not be entitled to benefit until twelve further contributions have been paid for him, exclusive of those paid prior to the 1922-23 insurance year.

Can the Minister say why he compels me to waste Parliamentary time by forcing me to put down a question when his Department has already refused to reply to the individual concerned and so far has refused to reply to my letter addressed to his Department on 21st October? What is the explanation of the delay?

I will have to inquire into these facts before I explain them.

If the Minister read the file does he not admit these are the facts?

These are not the facts as they appear on the file I have here.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if and when the claim for unemployment insurance benefit was received by his Department from Mr. Andrew Scully, Upper Grattan Street, Portlaoighise, Leix; whether he is now prepared to sanction payment of the amount claimed, or state the reason why he is unable to do so.

Andrew Scully, of Upper Grattan Street. Portlaoighise, made a claim to unemployment benefit on the 16th July, 1926. Owing to the circumstance that the claimant had been in receipt of compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act his case required special investigation and had to be referred to the Court of Referees under Section 11 (4) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. The Court recommended that the claim be allowed and, the insurance officer agreeing, payment for 156 days' benefit was authorised. All benefit due to date has been paid.

I addressed an application to the Minister's department on 21st October, with regard to these three cases. I received acknowledgment on 25th.

I have not denied that these are facts. I simply say that from the file before me these are not the facts as the Deputy states. I would like to have the facts as alleged by the Deputy inquired into.

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