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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has considered suspending, in respect of persons who have a considerable number of stamps to their credit, the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, which precludes the payment of benefit to an unemployed person in excess of 26 weeks unless and until 12 stamps have been credited following an unemployment period of 26 weeks; whether he is aware that the provisions in question have the effect of preventing the payment of benefit to many people on returning from England who have a substantial number of stamps to their credit.

Legislation has been prepared and will shortly be introduced for the purpose of amending the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, 1920 to 1941, so as to secure that any unemployment benefit rights acquired prior to their departure by persons who, during the continuance of the emergency, leave this country for employment elsewhere, will not be impaired by reason only of the lapse of insurance years in which, through absence from this country, no unemployment insurance contributions are paid.

It is not proposed to alter the provisions of existing legislation under which the maximum number of days for which unemployment benefit can be paid in the period of 12 months from the date of claim is 156.

Is the Minister aware that, even as regards those who remain in the country, if an individual does not get one stamp in the period of six months in which he is not receiving benefit, he will not get credit for the second six months, and he will have to have 12 stamps before he can go to the labour exchange again? I am dealing with the people who remain at home as well as those who have to go abroad. I say it is a hardship on men who are compulsorily unemployed.

That is the basis on which the Act was framed and, if there is any modification, there will have to be an increased contribution from the workers in order to meet the extra amount involved.

Section 18 should be amended or suspended. As the Minister is no doubt aware, the existing position has been responsible for many hardships.

Mr. Byrne

I should like to know from the Minister whether men with two or three years of English stamps to their credit will be provided for should they return home in a hurry—that is, if the war were to end—or will they find themselves not entitled to unemployment benefit here? The Minister promised me that he would consider the matter.

I made no such promise. I told the House that there was no arrangement in existence under which contributions paid in Great Britain can be credited to the fund here.

Mr. Byrne

I should like to make an appeal on behalf of the men who are away. A large number of these men may come home and they will find that no unemployment benefit will be given to them and, perhaps, they will not have any other source of income. What is to become of the 50,000 or 100,000 placed in such a position?

The fund is the property of the workers who have contributed to it, and payments out of it can only be made on the basis of the contributions put into it. If other payments are to be made out of it, the workers will have to increase their contributions. I think that that would be unfair in such circumstances as have been referred to by the Deputy.

Mr. Byrne

That does not answer the question I asked.

If that is correct, why is the Minister taking £300,000 a year out of the fund for the payment of unemployment assistance?

I did not do it; the Dáil did it.

You did it.

Mr. Byrne

Will the Minister place out of some fund——?

That is a separate question and does not arise.

Mr. Byrne

It hinges on this.

The Chair is the judge.

Mr. Byrne

I differ with you.

The Deputy will resume his seat.

Mr. Byrne

I differ with you.

Deputies are entitled to differ, but must obey the Chair. Question No. 22—Deputy Davin.

Has the Minister exhausted all efforts——

Question No. 22 has been called.

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