asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that there has been a delay of as much as seven weeks in making payments of unemployment benefit to workers in Convoy, County Donegal; and what steps will be taken to ensure that there will be no further delays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payments of Unemployment Benefits in Convoy (Donegal).
14.
Normally in the case of the workers referred to in the Deputy's Question, unemployment benefit is paid by the employing firm subject to authorisation and recoupment by my Department. In August last a question arose as to the entitlement of these workers to unemployment benefit for days in respect of which they were in receipt of holiday money from the firm and the determination of their cases therefore gave rise to detailed enquiries.
Over 250 employees were involved and, owing to the closure of the firm for almost three weeks and the fact that the inquiries had to be made by post, over four weeks elapsed before the preliminary information sought was received in the Department. Having regard to these circumstances I am satisfied that the claims were disposed of with as little delay as possible and that no special steps are called for.
In his reply the Minister referred to the fact that there was a delay of four weeks in the submission of information to the Department. Will the Minister say from whom this information was sought?
From the employer.
It took four weeks?
No. I think the Deputy may not have heard my reply. It was rather long. The concern was closed down for three weeks, including the holiday period. That was the main point. In fact, there was a delay of only one week in furnishing the information.