asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he proposes to put into operation the contribution condition for unemployment benefit and disability benefit which requires a person to have 50 contributions paid or credited in respect of the previous contribution year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment and Disability Benefits.
The condition referred to in the Deputy's question is laid down by the Social Welfare Act, 1952, and has been in operation since the 5th January, 1953, expect for claimants to unemployment benefit whose insurance under the National Health Insurance Acts was effective immediately prior to that date. On the basis of regulations made in 1953 the condition would have come into full operation for men in June, 1954 and for women in December, 1954.
Having regard to the large numbers who would have suffered loss or reduction of unemployment benefit if the condition had come into operation then, I made regulations which continued the waiving up to the 4th December next. I have been examining the position which is likely to arise after the latter date and I have decided to postpone the operation of the second contribution condition for a further period.