Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Jul 1941

Vol. 84 No. 14

Committee on Finance. - Vote 59—Unemployment Insurance and Unemployment Assistance.

Mr. MacEntee

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £768,176 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1942, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí i dtaobh Arachais Díomhaointis agus Malartán Fostaíochta (ar a n-áirmhítear síntiúisí do Chiste an Díomhaointis) agus i dtaobh Conganta Dhíomhaointis (9 Edw. 7, c. 7; 10 agus 11 Geo. 5, c. 30; 11 Geo. 5, c. 1; 11 agus 12 Geo. 5, c. 15; 12 Geo. 5, c. 7; Uimh. 17 de 1923; Uimh. 26 agus Uimh. 59 de 1924; Uimh. 21 de 1926; Uimh. 33 de 1930; Uimh. 44 agus Uimh. 46 de 1933; Uimh. 38 de 1935; Uimh. 2 de 1938; agus Uimh. 4 de 1940).

That a sum, not exceeding £768,176, be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1942, for Salaries and Expenses in connection with Unemployment Insurance and Employment Exchanges (including Contributions to the Unemployment Fund) and Unemployment Assistance (9 Edw. 7, c. 7; 10 and 11 Geo. 5, c. 30; 11 Geo. 5, c. 1; 11 and 12 Geo. 5, c. 15; 12 Geo. 5, c. 7; No. 17 of 1923; Nos. 26 and 59 of 1924; No. 21 of 1926; No. 33 of 1930; Nos. 44 and 46 of 1933; No. 38 of 1935; No. 2 of 1938; and No. 4 of 1940).

We discussed this question on the general Vote.

An Ceann Comhairle

It was fully discussed then.

Mr. Byrne

Can the Minister say whether men who were engaged in industrial occupations all their lives, when they reach the age of 70 have a right to unemployment insurance or unemployment assistance? I have a case in mind that came before an old age pensions committee where a man could not get the pension because he was supposed to be entitled to unemployment assistance, but under that Act he was told he was not entitled to assistance when he was entitled to the old age pension.

Mr. MacEntee

If a person has means in excess of the statutory limit he cannot get the old age pension or unemployment assistance, so that I am afraid the person in whom the Deputy is interested must have had means which excluded him from the benefits of the Act.

Mr. Byrne

No. It was stated that because of the unemployment assistance, he could not get the old age pension. He had none at the time, although he was supposed to be entitled to it, and, when he applied to the other Department, he was told that because he was entitled to the old age pension, he was not entitled to unemployment assistance.

Mr. MacEntee

If the Deputy sends me particulars of the case, I shall look into it, because there must be some misunderstanding.

Vote put and agreed to.