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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 12

Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Unemployment Benefit Claims.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the grounds on which James Regan, Rosscarbcry, County Cork, was refused unemployment benefit in respect of his wife.

Mr. Regan's claim to increased benefit in respect of his wife was refused on the grounds that the conditions for the receipt of increased benefit, contained in Section 1 (i) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1922, were not fulfilled. This section provides that additional benefit in respect of a claimant's wife shall not be payable if she is engaged in any occupation ordinarily carried on for profit.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate the occupation in which this lady was gainfully employed?

The applicant has a small shop.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate the amount of income derived from that small shop and the amount of supplies contained in it?

I have no information before me which would enable me to show what profit she is making.

And the Parliamentary Secretary stands over his decision in the absence of any information which would enable him to arrive at that decision?

I am standing over the decision in accordance with the particular section of the Act which provides that additional benefit in respect of a claimant's wife shall not be payable if she is engaged in any occupation ordinarily carried on for profit.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when this woman's husband was employed he was in receipt of £1 per week, and that that was the mainstay of the family? Is he aware that this woman has no capital nor is she able to get supplies and that a careful estimate made locally would go to show that the profit from the shop is less than 2/6 per week? In the light of that statement would the Parliamentary Secretary cause further investigations to be made in this case?

As a matter of fact instructions have already been given to that effect.

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