asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that men in South Connemara are obliged to walk ten and 12 miles each way daily in order to receive work on relief schemes, and that this is an unreasonable hardship, involving the equivalent of a 14 and 16 hours' day; and if he will take steps to provide work at more convenient centres, and also if he will consider amending the Unemployment Assistance Act so that men who are not able to secure employment within five miles of their homes would be eligible for unemployment assistance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relief Work in Connemara.
Mr. Brodrick
The Department of Industry and Commerce has no responsibility for fixing the areas of recruitment of workers for employment on relief schemes; it is the function of the employing authorities to specify the recruitment area so that workmen residing therein may be offered employment. I have, however, been informed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance that he is not aware of any cases of the nature referred to in the Deputy's question but he will cause enquiries to be made if specific cases are cited.
I do not propose to consider amendment of the Unemployment Assistance Acts in the sense suggested by the Deputy. Applicants for unemployment assistance are not disqualified from receiving it by reason only of their refusal to accept employment which is not suitable for them having regard to their age, sex, physique, education, normal occupation, place of residence and family circumstances. The distance at which work becomes unsuitable for any person would depend partly on his personal circumstances and partly on other factors such as means of transport, etc. All the circumstances are taken into account. It would not be practicable—nor is it necessary — to prescribe statutory limits of distance as suggested by the Deputy.
Mr. Brodrick
The Minister refers to the employment authorities. Would he not make representations to them to bring down the limit from ten or 12 miles to, say, five miles? Is it not a great injustice to have men travelling ten or 12 miles for work? I have also been informed that they are deprived of unemployment assistance when they do not accept this work 12 miles from their homes.
I have informed the Deputy that the Government are not aware of any such cases. If particular cases are cited, inquiries will be made.
Is the Minister aware that if an unemployed person refuses work, no matter how great the distance from his home, his benefit is immediately suspended?
I am not aware of that, nor is it correct.
Or he may have to wait six, eight or ten weeks before a decision is given on the matter?
That statement is not correct.
It is correct.
I can give hundreds of instances. I can give the Minister the names and addresses.
I repeat that that statement is not correct.
The Minister's statement is untrue.
The Minister knows nothing about it.