Committee on Finance. - Vote 61—Unemployment Insurance and Unemployment Assistance. – Dáil Éireann (9th Dáil) – Thursday, 10 Feb 1938

Minister for Finance (Mr. MacEntee)

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim Bhreise ná raghaidh thar £10 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1938, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí i dtaobh Arachais Díomhaointis agus Malartán Fostaíochta (maraon le síntiúisí do Chiste an Díomhaointis) agus i dtaobh Conganta Dhíomhaointis (9 Edw. 7, c. 7; 10 agus 11 Geo. 5, c. 30; 11 Geo. 5, c. 1; 11 agus 12 Geo. 5, c. 15; 12 Geo. 5, c. 7; Uimh. 17 de 1923; Uimh. 26 agus Uimh. 59 de 1924; Uimh. 21 de 1926; Uimh. 33 de 1930; Uimh. 44 agus Uimh. 46 de 1933; Uimh. 38 de 1935; agus Uimh. 2 de 1938).

That a Supplementary sum not exceeding £10 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1938, for Salaries and Expenses in connection with Unemployment Insurance and Employment Exchanges (including Contributions to the Unemployment Fund) and Unemployment Assistance (9 Edw. 7, c. 7; 10 and 11 Geo. 5, c. 30; 11 Geo. 5, c. 1; 11 and 12 Geo. 5, c. 15; 12 Geo. 5, c. 7; No. 17 of 1923; Nos. 26 and 59 of 1924; No. 21 of 1926; No. 33 of 1930; Nos. 44 and 46 of 1933; No. 38 of 1935; and No. 2 of 1938).

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Seán Moylan)

In accordance with Sections 4 (4) and 5 (2) of the Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1938, which became law on the 20th January, 1938, orders were made by the Minister on the 24th January, 1938, appointing the 26th January, 1938, as (a) the date on and from which the increased rates of unemployment assistance provided by the Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1938, came into force; and (b) the date on and from which the additional contribution at the rate of £50,000 per annum from the Unemployment Fund became payable. Without any addition the sum of £1,121,000 provided for unemployment assistance for the 1937-38 financial year would, it is estimated, be adequate to meet the cost of the payment of unemployment assistance at the increased rates that came into force on the 26th January, 1938, for the reason that actual expenditure on unemployment assistance during the portion of the financial year that has expired, has been less than was estimated. It is, however, necessary to have a Supplementary Estimate for the nominal amount of £10 for the purpose of extending the ambit of the existing Vote so as to authorise therefrom payments of unemployment assistance at the increased rates provided by the Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1938.

In accordance with Section 5 of the Unemployment Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1938, an additional amount at the rate of £50,000 per annum is payable from the Unemployment Fund for the portion of the current financial year from the 26th January, 1938 — the date appointed by Order of the Minister under Section 5 of the 1938 Act — to the end of the financial year. The actual amount that will be payable is £8,904 and this will be brought to account under sub-head L — Appropriations-in-Aid. By reason of this appropriation it is necessary to show a sum of £8,914 as an additional sum required for unemployment assistance (sub-head J), as a set-off against the amount that becomes payable from the Unemployment Fund in order that the nominal Supplementary Estimate may be fixed at £10.

Mr. Brasier

I should like to ask if there is any method of tightening up the system of the employment exchanges. I have here a list of 16 married men living in Cobh who, for considerably over 12 months, although they have repeatedly put their names into the exchange, have not been able to get employment. As I have stated, they are married men. They have families to support and they are in receipt of unemployment assistance. They have got no employment whatsoever.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy is aware that on Supplementary Estimates administration may not be discussed.

Mr. Brasier

Would you permit me to put forward an appeal?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am not going to rule very strictly, but generally, on the Supplementary Estimates, administration may not be discussed. Administration arises on the general Estimate.

Mr. Brasier

Can I put this before you——

Mr. Dillon

Put it, and then you will know.

Mr. Brasier

With the permission of the Chair, I should like to draw attention to the fact that these men, able-bodied and skilled men at their work, have been unable to get any employment. Now, the system that seems to prevail in this particular exchange, and in many other exchanges, is that a list is handed to certain persons who make selections. Repeated selections have been made for one particular section of work and a good deal of favouritism seems to exist. That is what is going on in Cobh with regard to that new industry at Haulbowline. I suggest that political influence is used in getting these men——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I allowed the Deputy a good deal of latitude. If I allow one Deputy so much latitude, I cannot stop other Deputies.

Mr. Brasier

I suggest there is a definite political bias in the matter of employment against these 16 men.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I gave the Deputy a certain amount of latitude; I will not allow him any more.

Mr. Brasier

I bow to the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. Corry

Take them to the souphouse.

Mr. Brasier

I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to give some attention to that particular matter to which I have referred. It is grossly unfair that these men should be victimised.

Mr. T. Kelly

Send your case to the Minister.

Mr. Brasier

The resurrectionist Deputy.

Mr. Corry

Deputy Brasier thinks a tailor ought to be a suitable man to employ working at steel; that a tailor ought to be employed at a mason's trade. That is apparently the idea underlying the Deputy's mentality on employment. I wonder will Deputy Brasier follow that up by taking a tailor out to cut thistles?

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Feb 1938