asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that persons in receipt of unemployment assistance in County Dublin are not able to obtain cash in exchange for their vouchers until the Monday following the week in respect of which payment is made; whether he is aware of the hardship which this arrangement inflicts on persons who are dependent for their maintenance on the sums received under the Unemployment Assistance Act; and, if so, whether he will take steps to secure that cash will be paid in respect of these vouchers on Saturdays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance Vouchers.
Applicants for unemployment assistance who reside over six miles from a local office of my Department are not required to attend at a local office, and proofs of title to unemployment assistance are taken by post. Since September last, these applicants are paid at the post offices most convenient to their residences on any day of the calendar week following immediately the week in which payment became due. Each applicant can select for himself the day that is most suitable to him to attend for payment. The payments are thus made at weekly intervals. Having regard to the fact that for the convenience of these applicants all transactions are carried out by post, earlier payments cannot be made.