asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that a number of county council workers employed by the Kerry County Council were prevented from receiving unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance, due to a certain dispute which took place while work was going on in the Ballydesmond, County Cork, area, although other workers who were engaged in the same dispute received assistance; and, if so, whether he will state the circumstances in which the manager of the Tralee Exchange refrained from paying assistance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Council Workers and Unemployment Benefit.
I am aware that claims to unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance made by a number of men who were employed at Ballydesmond, County Cork, were refused because they had lost employment by reason of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute at the premises at which they were employed. The claims of five of these men were subsequently allowed because it was established that their employment was not terminated on account of the stoppage of work due to the trade dispute. In another case the man concerned obtained employment elsewhere in his usual occupation during the stoppage of work, and when he did so, the disqualification ceased. A fresh application for unemployment assistance which he subsequently made was allowed.