asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that a number of deserving claimants who have now reached the age stipulated in Section 2 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1926, have been refused payment, and whether he will arrange to have the time limit extended for the receipt of applications under this section.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefits.
I am not aware of any case in which payment has been refused where it could legally be made. The express purpose of Section 2 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1926, was to terminate the previous right of insured contributors to a refund of their contributions, provision being made for the payment of compensation on a basis which depended on the applicant having reached the age of 50 before 5th July, 1926, and having lodged his claim before the 4th July, 1929. The time-limits were carefully fixed to avoid hardship so far as possible and an alteration now, which in any event would require legislation, must upset the whole basis on which compensation has already been assessed and paid.