asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce special legislation to cover people who through no fault of their own are unable to avail of his Department's benefits, such as unemployment benefit and sickness benefit, because firms for whom they have worked have become bankrupt; and if he is aware of such a case in County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Coverage.
66.
Title to benefits under the Social Welfare Acts depends on the fulfilment of certain statutory conditions. If these conditions are not satisfied because of failure or neglect by an employer to stamp an employee's insurance card at the proper time benefits such as unemployment benefit or disability benefit cannot be paid to the employee concerned from the Social Insurance Fund. In such a case, however, the employer is legally responsible for the amount lost which may be recovered from him, if necessary, through the Courts.
Special legislation to cover the type of case referred to in the question is not contemplated. I am not aware of any such case in County Donegal.