asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether fishermen are paid unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, and if he will make a general statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit for Fishermen.
Persons engaged in fishing, other than share fishermen, are, if employed under a contract of service, insurable under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, for all the benefits provided under that Act. They are accordingly eligible to receive unemployment benefit, if unemployed and otherwise qualified. Contributions at a reduced rate are payable in respect of share fishermen, that is, persons employed as members of the crew of a fishing vessel and wholly remunerated by a share in the profits or gross earnings of the working of the vessel. These reduced contributions are available for all the benefits of the Act other than unemployment benefit.
In regard to unemployment assistance, fishermen who work for an employer and receive wages or other remuneration are in the same position as other employees. They are eligible to receive unemployment assistance if unemployed and otherwise qualified. Fishermen who engage in fishing on their own account may, if not otherwise ineligible, receive unemployment assistance but at rates reduced in accordance with the means derived from fishing, the means being assessed on the net profits in the same way as for other self-employed persons.