asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the cause of the delay in paying benefits to unemployed men and women who have returned from Britain with upwards of five years insurance stamps to their credit in Britain, and further,if the reciprocal arrangements between the two Governments are being fully operated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployed Men and Women.
Mr. A. Byrne
The Deputy will appreciate that not all applications for transfer from Great Britain of contributions for unemployment insurance paid there can be determined with the same degree of expedition. The nature and extent of the inquiries which it may be found necessary to make vary in different cases and in a small proportion of cases may be somewhat protracted. In all cases, however, every effort is made to avoid delay.
The answer to the second part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative.
They are coming back?
Mr. A. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that a large number of people who have recently come back from England with their cards stamped, and with stamps to their credit, are making complaints that they are not getting paid? In view of that, will the Minister do something to speed up the payments to these unemployed people?
So they are coming back.
Naturally, there is some delay when cases come to the Department. They are coming in at the rate of 100 per week. The Deputy will be glad to know that men are coming back from England. When they do come back, a query must be sent to the headquarters in England at New-castle-on-Tyne. I am not saying they are delaying very much, but it is rare to get a reply within 14 days. There are some which take more than 14 days, but the matter is being dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
Mr. A. Byrne
The Minister said that I would be glad to know that they are coming back at the rate of 100 a week.
I knew you would be glad.
Mr. A. Byrne
I am not glad that they are coming back to an unemployed market.
Is the Minister aware that pending their drawing of the benefit to which they may become entitled as a result of their British stamps, they are debarred from drawing either assistance or benefit in this country?
No.
That is true, and that is the position.
As a matter of fact, the person is not eligible for benefit from England until he has first drawn here whatever he is entitled to in the way of benefit.
I wrote to the Minister yesterday and the facts are as I have told the Minister.
No. He must first draw whatever he is entitled to here before he is eligible for the other.