asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if unemployed persons who are trained Air Raid Wardens have had unemployment assistance discontinued because they did not join the Construction Corps and leave the Warden Service; and, if so, if he will see that unemployment assistance is restored to such persons.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air Raid Wardens and Unemployment Assistance.
The applications for Unemployment Assistance of some unemployed persons who are Air Raid Wardens and who refused to accept employment in the Construction Corps have been refused on the ground that the applicants failed to fulfil one of the statutory conditions for the receipt of Unemployment Assistance. This condition requires that an applicant shall have failed to obtain employment suitable for him having regard to his age, physique, education, normal occupation, place of residence and family circumstances. Employment which is determined in accordance with the Unemployment Assistance Acts to be suitable for an applicant for Unemployment Assistance is not made unsuitable for him by reason of voluntary part-time service as Air Raid Warden which is not a substitute for employment and which is undertaken by both employed and unemployed persons. Unemployment Assistance cannot be paid legally to any person who fails to fulfil any of the statutory conditions.
Am I to understand from the Minister that it is the intention to continue to refuse Unemployment Assistance to unemployed persons in the City of Dublin who will not go to the Construction Corps, even though those people form an important part of the air-raid warden service?
It has already been decided that employment in the Construction Corps is employment within the meaning of the Act.
Has the Minister taken any steps to examine how many of those air-raid wardens are unemployed persons, and what the effect on the warden service in the City of Dublin would be if it had not the service of such persons?
The air-raid warden service is a voluntary, part-time service, and is rendered by persons who are employed as well as unemployed.
Has the Minister given any consideration to the importance of the air-raid warden service? Has he given any consideration to the general appeal made to all parts of the city to see that the anti-air raid service was kept working in the fullest and most effective way? Has he also inquired as to the extent to which these services are being supported and have been built up by men who are unemployed, whose circumstances are such that they cannot very well go and join the Construction Corps?
I have given it every consideration. In my view the service as air-raid warden is no more important than service in the Construction Corps.