asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that the British regulations governing the reciprocal arrangement whereby benefit may be obtained in the Republic for unemployment contributions paid in Britain are circulated to all employment exchanges in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reciprocal Arrangement for Unemployment Contributions
The conditions under which unemployment benefit is payable in this country in respect of contributions paid by an insured person in Great Britain are set out in an Order made by the Minister for Social Welfare on 25th March, 1949. A copy of the Order, which is similar in form to the corresponding British Order, has been issued to every employment exchange and branch employment office in this country. Detailed instructions in regard to the implementation of the arrangements have also been issued to every office.
Is the parliamentary Secretary aware that, in certain regions in Britain, the beginning and end of the employment year vary and that managers of labour exchanges are unable to inform applicants for unemployment benefit as to the requirements, by way of stamps or otherwise, to enable them to derive the benefit to which they are entitled.
This would be due to the fact that the British contribution and benefit years do not coincide and that the insured person often has less than 26 contributions to his credit in Great Britain at the time of the claim. These are matters solely for interpretation by the British officials whose decision is conveyed to the relevant local office by this Department, and the claimant is informed of the result of his application for transfer of contribution.
Would it not be possible to have these matters clarified in advance, so that applicants could be informed by labour exchange managers, when they call, whether they are entitled to benefit or not.
I promise to have the matter looked into by the Minister.