asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that 38 electrical apprentices of a firm (name supplied) have been given notice because of the firm's liquidation; and that these apprentice electricians who are attending a vocational school full-time day course will receive no employment benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployed Electrical Apprentices.
120.
I am aware that an apprentice of the firm in question who is attending a three months vocational school course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, Monday to Friday, has had a claim to unemployment benefit disallowed on the ground that he does not fulfil the statutory condition for entitlement to such benefit which requires that the claimant be available for employment. This case, which is, in effect, a test case affecting a number of other apprentices of the same firm also, is at present the subject of an appeal against the disallowance and in the circumstances a statement from me on the matter would not be appropriate.