asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that a number of Irish citizens who have returned to Ireland have a number of insurance stamps to their credit for periods of employment in Great Britain, and whether he will state if these stamps are of any value in respect of unemployment in the Republic of Ireland, and whether unemployment benefits can be claimed through Irish employment exchanges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Workers Returning from Britain.
Mr. Byrne
The agreement for reciprocal arrangements for unemployment benefit which I made with the Minister of National Insurance in Great Britain and which became effective from the 6th April, 1949, provides that certain contributions paid in one country may, under specified conditions, be made available for payment of unemployment benefit in the other country.
Persons desirous of claiming unemployment benefit here in respect of contributions paid in Great Britain should do so at the nearest employment exchange or branch employment office of my Department.