asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it is his intention to introduce at an early date proposals for increasing the rate of benefit provided under the Unemployment Assistance Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance.
The answer is in the negative.
Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that although there is provision for an unemployed man's family up to five children, there is to be no provision where the number of children is over five? Some unemployed men have eight or nine and even 11 children.
The primary consideration to be kept in mind is the total cost of the service.
The fact is that at the moment the maximum of 23/- is given to a man who has five children, and if he has six or even 11 children there is no provision for these other children. Is that going to continue?
That is the law.
The law? Well, it is surely not justice.