asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that Christopher Kelly, 19 North Summer Street, Dublin, who joined the National Army as a saddler on the 8th November, 1924, and who continued to be employed at his trade in the Army until his discharge on the expiration of two years' service, has been refused unemployment insurance benefit; that at the time of his enlistment he was in receipt of unemployment benefit, and whether, in view of the particular nature of his employment in the Army, the Minister will cause his insurance cards to be stamped during the period of his service.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SOLDIER'S UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT.
Mr. BYRNE
Under sub-section (2) of Section 6 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1923, military service is not an insurable employment. I regret that I have therefore no power to pay contributions for Mr. Kelly in respect of the period in question.
Is the Minister aware that skilled tradesmen employed in the Army are and were looked upon as being in insurable occupations, and that as this man is working at his trade and is being paid the special allowance for his trade, will he have further inquiries made into the matter?
Mr. Kelly was in the Army from 26/2/'23 to 3/4/'24. I presume he was paid tradesmen's wages for that period. He then left the Army and rejoined after the date when regulations were made for payment on enlistment to tradesmen.