asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of his declaration that he does not intend to move to vary the legislation which prevents fishermen while working on the share system from getting any benefits under the Unemployment Assistance Act, though they may be actually earning no money, he will operate the Unemployment Insurance Acts in their favour so as to give them the advantage of at least having a card stamped weekly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishermen and Unemployment Assistance.
For the purposes of the Unemployment Assistance Acts a person is neither unemployed nor available for other employment whilst he is working for wages whether paid in cash or in kind. This is true of fishermen equally with other persons. Fishermen when unemployed are entitled to the benefits of the Unemployment Assistance Acts on precisely the same terms as other unemployed persons.
The Unemployment Insurance Acts require contributions to be paid in respect of fishermen as well as other workers who are employed under a contract of service and such persons when they are unemployed may become entitled to receive unemployment benefit in accordance with the Acts. Members of the crew of a fishing vessel who, though employed under a contract of service, are wholly remunerated by a share in the profits or the gross earnings of the working of the vessel are, however, expressly excepted by the Unemployment Insurance Acts and I have no power to operate these Acts so as to require or to accept contributions that are not permitted by the Acts.
This question has been raised several times in an effort to get some relief for these unfortunate men. Do I take it that, having explored various clauses of the Acts the Minister, in face of the unprecedented failure of the salmon fishing in the south this year, now confesses his inability to do anything whatever to bring relief to these men?
That is nonsense.
Of course, it is nonsense, but would the Minister consider it great nonsense for men to be fishing in a salmon boat for five weeks and drawing 2/- a man? That is the sort of nonsense I want to deal with.
The Deputy does not deal with it. His question is not about that.
My purpose is to get some relief for men working on the share system and who are precluded, according to the reply to my question, from getting any help under the Unemployment Assistance Acts.
The Deputy did not hear the reply.
Yes, I did.
The reply stated that men cannot get unemployment assistance while they are working. That is apparently what the Deputy wants.
I want to have some distinction made. Surely it is in the Minister's power to draw a distinction between the word "earning" and the word "working." These men are working, but not earning, as we all know. It would be better for them to remain idle and put their backs against the wall, but they are honest men trying to get a living and trying to do their best.
This is certainly a case for consideration.
The law is the same since 1920.
Is it not nearly time that, in the very difficult circumstances of this year, the law should be changed? Would the Minister not give us an indication of his desire to do even that?