asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the increased cost of living and the consequent depreciation in the value of money, he is prepared to alter the regulations concerning employment on relief schemes so as to secure that all persons so employed will get a full week's wage in every week on which they are employed on a relief scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment on Relief Schemes.
As has been explained on previous occasions, the principle underlying the rotational system of employment is to enable the sum which has been voted by the Dáil for the relief of unemployment to be distributed in such a way that the maximum number of unemployed persons will be benefited, and each in proportion to his need, as measured by the unemployment assistance payment to which he is entitled. This principle is not affected by the matters referred to by the Deputy.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider, having regard to the admitted increase in the cost of living, that the regulations concerning employment on relief schemes call for revision? Is he not aware that undoubted hardship is inflicted on people who get three or four days' work, as it is a month before they can get back on relief?
Alteration of the rotational regulations will not alter that. The only alteration which would effect that would be an increased provision of money by the vote of this House. Alteration of the rotational system of employment would not alter that within the terms of the answer.
May I respectively suggest that it would? If a man got a full week's work and full wages he would be entitled to go back on to relief, but if he got part of a week's work it would be denied to him.
That is an argument, not a question.
Out of the same allocation in the same district the effect would be that a less number of men would get benefit, or if the same number of men got benefit, the individual man would only get the same benefit.