(Clare) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has yet reached a decision concerning the insurability under the Unemployment Insurance Acts of the workers employed on the Fergus River in County Clare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insurability of Workers.
I have not yet given any decision regarding the question of the insurability under the Unemployment Insurance Acts of workers employed on the Fergus River in County Clare, but my Department has received applications from the Commissioners of Public Works for decision under Section 10 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, as to whether certain classes of employment on drainage schemes, including the Fergus scheme, are insurable under this Act. All the necessary data have now been collected and I propose to give my decision at an early date.
Mr. Hogan
Is the Minister hoping that the benefit in this case will be paid to these workers as mortality benefit, rather than insurance benefit?
Will the Minister say at what date he received these recommendations from the Board of Works?
It is not a recommendation; it is an application for a decision.
What is the date of it?
I could not give the date.
Is it six months ago?
It is probably a little longer.
It has been under consideration for six years.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that unemployment insurance contributions are not being paid in respect of 50 men employed by the Land Commission at Swords in connection with the dividing of estates, the making of trenches, roads and other work of a non-agricultural character and, if so, whether he is prepared to take steps to secure that the provision of the Unemployment Insurance Acts will be complied with.
I understand that contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts are not being paid in respect of the labourers employed by the Land Commission at Swords. It has, I understand, been the practice for many years to regard as uninsurable under the Unemployment Insurance Acts labourers engaged on works of the kind referred to in the Deputy's question, the employment being regarded as employment in agriculture and, therefore, an excepted employment within the meaning of (a) of Part II of the First Schedule to the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920. Foremen, gangers, timekeepers and skilled tradesmen are, however, regarded as insurable and contributions are, I am informed, being paid in respect of all persons of these classes employed by the Land Commission at Swords.
I am, however, having inquiry made as to the nature of the work performed by the labourers employed on the work in question, and if it is found that contributions are payable in respect of all or any of them, steps will be taken to secure payment.
How long will it take to determine that matter?
It will not take very long. It is an entirely different matter from that raised by Deputy Davin.