asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange that unemployed persons in the Diocese of Ferns will not have to present themselves at the employment exchanges on Church holydays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Attendance at Exchanges on Church Holydays.
While it is not feasible to close employment exchanges on Church holydays, I am examining the question of curtailing, on holydays, other departmental activities, such as the hearing of appeals and examination by medical referees, where attendance of members of the public is required.
Would it be possible to let them sign next day instead of having them in on Church holydays queuing up at labour exchanges? After all, in a diocese where everybody observes Church holydays, when every other business is closed, I do not think it right that these unfortunate men should have to stand outside the labour exchanges on Church holydays.
I appreciate the difficulty in a diocese like Ferns where the Church holydays are regarded in the same light as bank holidays are regarded in Dublin and throughout a big portion of the country. While I do not think, as I said in my reply, that it would be feasible to close employment exchanges on Church holydays, I think it could be arranged that at least those who have to appear before medical referees or appeals officers would not be required to attend on the Church holydays.