asked the Minister for Social Welfare if agricultural workers who are employed from time to time by farmers who are in receipt of unemployment assistance are entitled to have their employment cards stamped.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Workers: Stamping of Cards.
101.
I take it that what the Deputy has in mind is the case of an agricultural worker whose employer is a farmer in receipt of unemployment assistance. If the worker in such a case is employed under a contract of service, his insurance card must be stamped by his employer.
May I ask if those mentioned in the question are engaged by those who are also drawing unemployment assistance? Are their cards stamped?
It is a question of whether it is a contract of service. If the question of the insurability of the employee arose, it would cast serious doubts and it would be taken into consideration.
Without doubt, the worker would suffer in any such situation.
A good number of agricultural workers in County Kerry approached me about this matter. If they were engaged by those people who were in receipt of unemployment assistance, would it entitle them to have their employment cards stamped and honoured by the Department of Social Welfare?
The eligibility of the employee will be decided by the deciding officer, and if he feels aggrieved, he can appeal to an appeals officer.
It will go on for six to nine months.