asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that, under the 1920 Insurance Act, clerical workers in receipt of wages in excess of £5 a week are excluded from receipt of unemployment benefits when unemployed; that, as a result of recent increases in wages given to meet the increased cost of living, many thousands of clerks and others engaged in semi-clerical employment, who were in insurable occupations and had many years' contributions to their credit, are now being informed that the recent increases in wages place them outside the class of persons entitled to receive unemployment benefits; and if he will make a statement on the position in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit.
I am aware that non-manual workers remunerated at a rate in excess of £250 per annum are not insurable under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. While I have little evidence of a general desire amongst such persons to be brought within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts nevertheless I have under consideration the question of promoting legislation for the purpose of raising the existing limit.
I should mention, however, that non-manual workers who, by virtue of increases in remuneration, cease to be insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, will retain all their benefit rights until a whole insurance year from October to October during which no contribution is paid has elapsed. This period may extend to almost two years when the last contribution is paid in the first or an early week of an insurance year. It is only when no contribution is paid during a period of five insurance years that the contributions previously paid cease to be available for benefit. If at any time during these five years 12 contributions are paid all the contributions to credit become available for the contributor.
Am I to understand that the Minister agrees with the question that there are many thousands now going out of unemployment insurance simply because they got an increase in wages to meet the increased cost of living, and does he intend to introduce legislation to bring them back into insurance and put them in the same position they were in up to now?
I have not been able to find out the exact number. It may be a few thousand and it may be less. With regard to legislation, the question of raising the insurable limit is being considered.
In 1920, £5 was the limit. That, in 1947, with war increases to meet the increased cost of living, brings the £3 10s. a week man up to £5 and that man now is being put out of insurance. I appeal to the Minister to introduce legislation to bring him back into full insurance.
The matter is being considered.
Can the Minister at this stage indicate the salary ceiling he has in mind in connection with the proposed legislation?
I have an open mind.