asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the hardship which is involved under Section 8 (4) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, in the case of any worker who, owing to an unavoidable absence from insurable employment for a period of more than 12 months, is debarred from benefit irrespective of the fact that he may have stamps to his credit in respect of many years previous insurable employment; and, if so, if he will consider the repeal or modification of the section referred to in such circumstances.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
The statutory provision to which the Deputy refers limits the liability of the unemployment fund by disqualifying for the receipt of unemployment benefit any person who has failed for a cause other than sickness to pay any contribution during at least one whole insurance year, that is, from October in one year to October in the following year. The Unemployment Insurance Acts of 1941 and 1943 enable service in the Defence Forces, employment on ships of which the registration has been changed from this country subsequent to the 2nd September, 1939, and absence for employment outside this country during the emergency period to be disregarded for the purposes of this provision.
Having regard to present expenditure from the unemployment fund and probable future demands, the time is not opportune for changes which would increase the liabilities of the fund. It is open to persons ineligible for unemployment benefit by reason of this provision to apply for unemployment assistance.
Mr. Larkin
May I ask that the answer to No. 17 be taken before No. 16 because that was the order in which I put down the questions? They could be answered together.
Yes.
No. 17 refers to the number of adult workers signing on at Dublin, Dun Laoghaire and Bray. Is that the question which the Deputy wishes answered?
Mr. Larkin
Yes, please.