asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the substantial increase in the prices of many commodities, he will take steps to increase the totally inadequate benefits payable to unemployed men under the Unemployment Assistance Act and, if so, whether he will state when it is proposed to bring the higher rates of benefit into force.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance.
In view of the already very heavy burdens borne by the taxpayers I can see no prospect that the legislation which would be necessary for the purpose indicated in the question will be introduced.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the weekly maximum payment to an unemployed man with a wife and five children is 23/6 in the cities and 14/6 in the country, and that if he has additional children to five he gets no financial assistance in respect of them from the State or from any other source? Is he aware that even if a man is receiving unemployment assistance in respect of his family he gets no financial assistance for his children when they are between the ages of 14 and 18?
I am aware of that.
And we call ourselves a Christian country.