(Clare) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that unemployment insurance stamps are withheld from workers on the Fergus Drainage Works; if his Department has had the legal aspect of this matter examined; and, if so, what advice has been given; and, moreover, if he is aware that these works will shortly be completed, and, as a result, over 200 workers will be disemployed and will not be entitled to receive unemployment insurance benefit; and if he proposes to take any further action in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Insurance Stamps.
Mr. P. Hogan
Minister for Local Government and Public Health (Mr. O'Kelly) for Minister for Industry and Commerce
I understand that unemployment insurance contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts are not being paid in respect of the majority of workers employed on the Fergus Drainage Works. It has been the practice for many years to regard as uninsurable under the Unemployment Insurance Acts persons engaged on works which have for their object the improvement of agricultural land, the employment being regarded as employment in agriculture within the meaning of (a) of Part II of the First Schedule to the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. The workers employed on the Fergus Drainage Scheme are employed on work of this kind. Persons employed as gangers, tradesmen and excavator drivers on this scheme are, however, regarded as insurable and contributions are, I am informed, being paid in respect of them.
Following the answer given to a question addressed to me by Deputy Norton on the 8th March last, I am having the whole question of the position of workers engaged on works which are being carried out by the Office of Public Works in rural areas examined, and I hope to have obtained at an early date sufficient information in regard to each of the various types of workers employed to enable a decision under Section 10 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, to be given in each type of case.
If unemployment insurance contributions are properly paid in respect of the workers in question, they will, if unemployed, be entitled to unemployment insurance benefit on the same conditions as other insured workers.
Mr. Hogan
The Minister is surely aware that this matter was raised before. Is he aware that six months have clapsed since these people started work and that various Ministers, including the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Industry and Commerce, have been approached on the matter? These works will be completed within six weeks or two months.
Speech!
Mr. Hogan
I am putting the matter in the form of a question. The Minister is surely aware that what I have indicated is the case and that it is time the matter was settled. These people, who will be disemployed within six weeks or so will, in the circumstances, be entitled to no unemployment benefit—indeed, no consideration of any kind.
I am not very familiar with the facts of the case, but as the Minister indicates in the answer, the matter is being closely examined.
Mr. Hogan
So we have been told for the last six months.
The Minister's answer refers to a reply given to Deputy Norton on 8th March last. That is not quite six months ago.
Mr. Hogan
Is the Minister aware that I raised this matter six months ago with Deputy Flinn, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and the head of the Board of Works? I want to ask the Minister if he realises the seriousness of this matter for the people concerned. Within two months these men will be unemployed and they will have no means of subsistence.
The Deputy is aware surely that hitherto the practice was that works of this kind, regarded as work on agricultural land, were not subject to unemployment insurance. Surely that is accepted.
Mr. Hogan
Does the Minister suggest that attending a giant dredger is agricultural work or that wading waist deep in water in order to make a cement dam is agricultural work? Is the Minister aware that unemployment insurance stamps have been utilised in the case of work of a similar nature in the very same county?
I am not aware of these matters. Perhaps if the Deputy wishes to raise this matter with the Minister, he will get a more satisfactory answer. All the information I can give him is contained in the reply.