asked the Minister for Defence whether it is proposed to introduce proposals for legislation enabling the payment to time-expired regular soldiers of unemployment insurance benefit in respect of periods of unemployment immediately subsequent to their discharge from the Army.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Insurance Benefit for Soldiers.
The scheme of compulsory insurance against unemployment does not apply to service in the Defence Forces. As the Deputy is aware, however, provision has been made, by the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1941, whereby time-expired regular soldiers, in common with other classes, may receive unemployment benefit in respect of contributions paid by them prior to their service in the Defence Forces. Having regard to that provision and to the fact that unemployed persons who are not qualified to receive unemployment benefit, have available for them a scheme of unemployment assistance, it is not proposed to recommend legislation of the nature to which the Deputy now refers.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he aware of the fact that practically all the long-service soldiers will on discharge from the Army have no credits in stamps upon which they can draw? In view of that, will he consider at this stage making some financial provision to ensure that in such cases of discharge there will be adequate provision for the payment of unemployment insurance benefit on the assumption of the possibility of long-continued unemployment?
I do not think the number of persons affected would be as great as the Deputy seems to imagine, and it is very doubtful if it would be fair to the greater number to have still further compulsory deductions from their pay.