asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) what is the reason for the delay in paying unemployment assistance to Patrick Kenny, Currygrane, Moatefarrel, Mostrim, County Longford; qualification certificate No. N.537 (Granard Office); (2) the amount due to him from (a) 1st April, 1934, to 1st January, 1935, and (b) from 31st August, 1935, to 1st October, 1935; if he is aware that he was paid 4/- in the first week of January, 1935, and then 7/6 per week afterwards to August 1st, 1935; that his payments were stopped in August, 1935; that he is signing on at the employment exchange since; and if the Minister will state the amounts now due and when payment may be expected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Longford Unemployment Assistance Claim.
Mr. Patrick Kenny, Currygrane, became the holder of a qualification certificate which enabled him to qualify for the receipt of unemployment assistance in December, 1934. He applied for unemployment assistance on the 28th of that month and he received payment of 4/- on the 10th January, 1935. This was the correct amount payable to him at that date, as he had not completed in the prescribed manner his application for additional assistance in respect of his wife. On completion of this latter application it was duly allowed, and accordingly, on the 17th January when payment of his current week's assistance was being made, he was also paid the arrears due in respect of his wife. Subsequent to that date Mr. Kenny received, up to and including the 27th August last, payment at the weekly rate of 9/-. Inquiry then became necessary into the question of whether or not Mrs. Kenny was a dependent within the meaning of Section 4 of the Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1935, and as it transpired that she was not in fact such a dependent, his application in respect of her was refused as from and including the 28th August last. Mr. Kenny was duly notified of this determination and of his right to appeal, but no appeal was received from him. It is open to Mr. Kenny to renew his application in respect of his wife if at any time he is in a position to show that her circumstances have changed from those existing at the date of the investigation. In regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, I find that Mr. Kenny was not entitled to any payment of unemployment assistance between the 1st April, 1934, and the 1st January, 1935; that he qualified for, and received, payment of 27 days' assistance in respect of the period 31st August, 1935, to 1st October, 1935. Payment of all unemployment assistance due to him from and including the 28th August was made on the 31st October and since that date weekly payments have been made to him.