asked the Minister for Social Welfare why girls who were employed in McDevitt's Knitting Factory, at Meenbanid, County Donegal, and who paid employment contributions at the rate of 4/1 per week, have now for the first time been informed that their work has been classified as that of outworkers, their contributions and weekly benefit being correspondingly reduced; and if this change of policy will apply to all girls and other employees of factories in the Gaeltacht from now forth.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Knitting Factory Employees.
Arising out of a claim for unemployment benefit made by an insured woman, a question arose as to the rate of employment contributions which were properly payable under the Social Welfare Acts, 1952 and 1956, in respect of her employment.
Following exhaustive inquiries it transpired that she had been employed as a glove knitter by Messrs. McDevitt and Company Limited, Glenties, in the private dwelling-house of their agent at Meenbanid, the premises not being under the control or management of that firm. Accordingly it was decided by a deciding officer that her employment was that of an outworker as described in paragraph 7 of Part I of the First Schedule to the Social Welfare Act, 1952, and that a special rate of employment contribution, not reckonable for unemployment benefit, was payable in respect of the employment. She lodged an appeal which is receiving urgent attention.
There has been no change of policy since the Social Welfare Act, 1952, came into force in relation to the insurance of persons employed as outworkers. The Deputy will realise that the employment to which his question relates differs radically from employment in a recognised factory where the employees work in their employers' premises under regular supervision and control.
Is it not a fact that not one girl, as the Parliamentary Secretary stated, but a number of girls are employed in the house of the agent under the command and supervision of the agent during working hours? Further, is it not a fact that, prior to this year, those girls were paid unemployment benefit at the higher rate and contributed a higher rate than has now been determined by the Department? In view of the fact that these girls are employed in a building under the supervision of the employers' agent, will the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider the decision and grant them the higher benefit to which they are entitled?
These particulars are not available to the Department.
They are. They can be inspected any time you want to do so.
In this particular case, the appeal which has been lodged by the girl is receiving urgent attention.
And that will be the end of it.
An ndearfaidh an Rúnaí Parliaminte linn an bhfuil aon baint ag Aireacht na Gaeltachta leis an cheist seo?
Níl a fhios sin agam. B'fhéidir go gcuirfeadh an Teachta ceist ar Aireacht na Gaeltachta.
Ós rud é go bhfuil an cheist seo fé scrúdú anois, b'fhéidir go gcuirfidh an Rúnaí Parlaiminte í ós cóir an Aire?
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say if the appeal of this applicant will be given an open hearing at which she can produce evidence as to the use to which this house is put and the nature of the employment in it? There is not much use in having an appeal determined in some office here in Dublin where evidence cannot be produced on behalf of the applicant.
I shall bring the representations of the Deputy to the attention of the Minister.