asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that a certain worker formerly employed by a firm in Portlaw, from June, 1952, to April, 1953, and for whom 39 contribution stamps have been affixed by her employers, has been refused unemployment benefit by the branch manager of the employment exchange at Carrick-on-Suir on the ground that her contributions are not sufficient to qualify for benefit, and that correspondence from her to the manager of the Clonmel exchange have not had any result in securing benefit; and, if so, if he will have the claim dealt with at once and so prevent unnecessary hardship on the applicant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refusal of Unemployment Benefit.
A claim to unemployment benefit under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, which was made by this worker on the 8th April, 1953, was disallowed on the ground that the claimant did not satisfy the contribution conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit under that Act. This decision was upheld on appeal. No contributions were paid on the worker's behalf in respect of the periodfrom the 2nd June, 1952, to the 5th October, 1952. The 26 contributions paid in arrear subsequent to the appointed day do not qualify the claimant for unemployment benefit under the Social Welfare Act, 1952. They do, however, qualify her for 26 days' unemployment benefit under the repealed Unemployment Insurance Acts, and this benefit has been paid to her.