asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that numbers of Irish workmen who were temporarily employed in Great Britain, on their return home with their unemployment insurance cards fully stamped with British stamps, have found them valueless, and in view of the numbers likely to come home at an early date, he will now make a statement regarding the unemployment and other benefits of such men.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Workers' Unemployment Insurance Cards.
Unemployment benefit is payable in this country only in respect of contributions which are paid into our Unemployment Fund. Persons who left this country for employment during the emergency period and have returned do not, by reason of their absence, forfeit whatever rights they had to unemployment benefit before leaving. Those who are not qualified for the receipt of unemployment benefit may apply for unemployment assistance, provided they hold qualification certificates.
If they are not entitled to unemployment benefit they are not entitled to unemployment assistance. It is only because they qualify for unemployment benefit that they can subsequently get assistance. Will the Minister see to it that these men, on their return with their cards stamped, will be given assistance of some sort; that when they arrive home, if they do not get work they will get some form of benefit?
The Deputy should study the answer to the question first.
I have followed the reply to the question. The Minister said that they can apply for unemployment assistance and that shows that he does not know what he is talking about. They cannot apply for unemployment assistance. Will the Minister make inquiries?
I would advise the Deputy to study the answer to his question and not put the supplementary which he intended to put before he got the answer.