asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Patrick Quinn, Francis Street, Newbridge, County Kildare (Serial Book No. 5011, Newbridge Branch Office) has been refused payment of unemployment insurance benefit, although he claims to have about 100 stamps to his credit for the period July, 1912, to August, 1914, whilst employed in the Curragh area, and 156 stamps to his credit in respect of his service, 1914 to 1926, in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and Irish Guards; further, whether he will have inquiries made with a view to immediate payment of the amount payable by the Saorstát, and also have representations made to the British Ministry of Labour for payment in respect of his army service.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT APPLICATION.
Patrick Quinn, Francis Street, Droichead Nua, U.I. Book No. Droichead Nua 5011, claimed benefit at the branch Employment Office, Droichead Nua, on the 20th December, 1926. His claim was disallowed by the Insurance officer under Section 7 (1) (i) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, as he had no contributions to his credit with the unemployment fund of An Saorstát. He appealed against the disallowance to the Court of Referees who recommended that the claim be disallowed. The Insurance Officer accepted the Court's recommendation, and accordingly benefit is not payable on the claim in question.
It is understood that 156 contributions were paid by the British Army authorities into the Unemployment Insurance Fund of Great Britain in respect of Mr. Quinn's service in the British Army. These contributions having, as stated, been paid into the Unemployment Fund of Great Britain, are not available for benefit in An Saorstát. They will, presumably, be available for benefit purposes if and when Mr. Quinn lodges a claim in Great Britain, subject, of course, to the conditions for the receipt of unemployment insurance benefit obtaining in Great Britain.
Contributions paid in respect of Mr. Quinn between 1912 and 1914 would not in the circumstances of his case entitle him to benefit now in the Saorstát, a period of five insurance years having subsequently elapsed during which no contributions were paid for him. Section 8, sub-section (4) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, provides as follows:—
"A person in respect of whom no contributions have been paid during a period comprising five insurance years shall, if contributions are subsequently paid in respect of him, be treated as if he had not previously been an insured contributor."
Will the Minister say if he could make representations to the British Ministry of Labour with respect to the other 156 contributions to the credit of Patrick Quinn? It seems to be a very hard case, as this man is in receipt of home assistance while this money is lying to his credit in the British Funds. I think our Department here should take some steps to see that this money is paid over.
I could not deal with this case apart from general cases of this type. We have been negotiating for years with regard to this particular type of case without result.
Will the Minister consider the desirability of approaching the British Government so that they may inform men discharged from the British Army that they are not eligible for unemployment benefit over here? At present the men do not know it.