asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a number of unemployed female shoe operatives in Cork City have been refused unemployment benefit because they could not avail of offers of work in Dublin, and, if so, whether he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Shoe Operatives' Unemployment Benefit.
Benefit was not refused in the cases to which the Deputy refers.
I understand that four shoe operatives claiming unemployment benefit at Cork employment exchange were informed that there were vacancies in Dublin for which they appeared to have the necessary qualifications. They intimated, however, that they did not desire to accept the work and on consideration of the circumstances a deciding officer decided that benefit could continue to be paid.
Am I to take it that it is not admitted that they were disallowed, in the first instance?
They were disallowed in the first instance, but were paid for the two weeks on the following Friday.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think it most unjust, even in the first instance, to disallow benefit payable just because these people would not travel 165 miles to take up work at rates of wages on which they could not possibly sustain themselves?
In Britain and other places, they have to travel much farther.
I am surprised at the Parliamentary Secretary quoting Britain.
Do the Members of the House not travel 120 miles to transact their business?