asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the present unemployment assistance allowances paid in the case of married persons with families in Dublin are quite inadequate to provide minimum necessaries for family subsistence, and that increases are urgently needed if permanent ill-effects to health and morale are to be avoided, and if he will state whether he will introduce proposals to increase the allowances in such cases immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance.
The rates of unemployment assistance are not intended to provide for unemployed persons a substitute for wages or maintenance over a lengthy period. They were fixed for the purpose of distributing in the most equitable manner possible the maximum amount which the State could afford to make available. The possibility and best way of ameliorating the lot of unemployed persons in existing circumstances has been, and still is under active consideration, and any action found to be necessary will be taken in due course.
Is the Minister aware that very serious distress exists, and that that position has existed for some time? Will the Minister say whether, before the Dáil rises for the Easter recess, he will make a statement as to what conclusion he has come to?
I cannot undertake to make any statement by that date.
Can the Minister do anything to assure the House that he is investigating the situation, or that he knows what the facts are, and will he make any suggestions as to how the situation can be improved for these people until such time as the Government make up their minds?
If the Minister cannot distribute a larger measure of benefit to these people, will he consider subsidising essential foodstuffs so that the prices of them may be brought within these people's incomes in order that his desire and ours that they should be spared hunger may be realised?
That is a separate question.