asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the many difficulties which may face large numbers of Irish citizens on their return to this country after the emergency, in securing employment, housing accommodation, social service benefits, etc., he will consider the advisability of establishing central advice bureaux at which such persons may obtain guidance and advice on all such problems.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Establishment of Advice Bureaux.
I consider it to be extremely improbable that any substantial number of Irish workers returning to this country from employment in Great Britain will require assistance of the nature indicated in the question. The employment exchanges and the branch employment exchanges are available to all workers who desire to register for employment, and the managers are in a position to advise applicants as to their claims to unemployment insurance benefit or unemployment assistance. In respect of health insurance, workers can get advice from the local offices of Cumann an Arachais Naisiúnta ar Shláinte (The National Health Insurance Society).
The Minister will note that my question deals with more than the matter of obtaining employment. These people, when they return, will have to settle-in here and already the small numbers who are returning are finding difficulty, especially with regard to housing accommodation. It is all very well to say that the employment exchanges and the branch employment exchanges will give advice as to claims for unemployment insurance benefit, or unemployment assistance, but many of these people are not aware of that. It would be much better, I suggest, if facilities were afforded in the manner suggested in my question.
I think it is extremely unlikely that workers returning to this country from employment in Great Britain will not be fully aware of the services provided by the employment exchanges or the National Health Insurance Society.
It is one thing to have services available and another thing to obtain benefit.