asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the estimate of the Limerick County Borough Board of Health for the payment of home assistance has been exceeded by about £300 weekly for the first six weeks of the present financial year, due to relief having been given to able-bodied unemployed pending the payment of unemployment assistance to such persons; that the Limerick Corporation are contributing to the Unemployment Fund, under the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933, £6,500 in the present financial year; and if in view of these facts he will take steps to have these moneys recouped to the Limerick County Borough Board of Health as requested by that body.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Relief Payments.
I understand from the Minister for Local Government and Public Health that the financial position of the Limerick County Borough Board of Health in regard to the payment of home assistance is at present approximately as stated in the question, but I do not agree that this position arises out of the Unemployment Assistance Act. On the contrary, that Act will have the effect of gradually improving the financial position of the board so far as payment of home assistance is concerned. For this and other reasons it cannot be stated with certainty on the basis of present expenditure that the board's estimate will have been exceeded at the end of the year. The contribution payable by local authorities under the Unemployment Assistance Act is fixed by Section 26 (1) of the Act. The Unemployment Assistance Act has not repealed those enactments under which relief by way of home assistance is provided, nor does it affect the powers and responsibilities conferred on local authorities by those enactments. I have no authority under the Act to make any refunds in respect of home assistance paid to unemployed persons.