asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that the boot and shoe operatives are being refused unemployment benefit when a bank holiday intervenes in a period of unemployment, and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear Operatives' Unemployment Benefit.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that prior to 31st March, 1956, boot and shoe operatives in Dundalk were paid unemployment benefit for the first Saturday and two subsequent days of unemployment, and that after that date they were refused benefit for the first Saturday; and, if so, whether he will have the former system restored for operatives who become unemployed in future.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
In January, 1956, the case of a person who works a five-day week and who had been employed for his normal working week of five days from Monday, 19th December, 1955, to Friday, 23rd December, 1955, and who claimed unemployment benefit for Saturday, 24th, Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th December, was referred to an appeals officer for decision as to whether the claimant was unemployed for the purposes of the Social Welfare Act, 1952, on Saturday, 24th December, and on Monday, 26th and Tuesday 27th December, two public holidays for each of which he had been paid the equivalent of a day's wages by his employers. An oral hearing took place at which the claimant and the branch secretary of his union attended and gave evidence. After consideration of the facts and the evidence, the appeals officer decided that the claimant was not unemployed for the purposes of the Act on the 24th, 26th and 27th December, 1955. This ruling has since been applied in similar cases. There has been no general decision to the effect that unemployment benefit is not payable when a public holiday intervenes in a period of unemployment.