asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the fact that a considerable number of share fishermen on the Donegal coast have had their means for unemployment assistance purposes increased, as a result of increases in the proceeds of their catch, thereby reducing their unemployment assistance; and if he will have their means reduced forthwith for such purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Share Fishermen: Unemployment Assistance.
25.
As the Deputy is aware, fishermen who work for an employer and receive wages or other remuneration have never been assessed with means under the Unemployment Assistance Acts in respect of such employment. On the other hand, fishermen who are not employed under a contract of service have always had to be assessed, in accordance with the provisions of those Acts, with their net profits in the same way as other self-employed persons. The means of applicants for unemployment assistance in the coastal area of Donegal are assessed in the normal course in accordance with those provisions by statutory officers and I am not empowered to reduce assessments in the manner suggested by the Deputy. Any applicant who is dissatisfied with the rate of means assessed against him by a deciding officer has the right of appeal to an appeals officer whose decision is final.
The question as to the extent to which the income of share fishermen who are not employed under a contract of service should be assessed as means for the purposes of the Unemployment Assistance Acts is at present under review in my Department.