asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the hardship caused to apprentices who often pay full social welfare contributions but do not qualify for unemployment benefit when their employment ceases; and if he proposes to remedy this anomaly.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Apprentices' Unemployment Benefit.
72.
I must confess that I do not grasp what it is that the Deputy regards as causing hardship and being anomalous. An apprentice who fulfils the statutory contribution conditions, is capable of and available for work, furnishes evidence of unemployment in the required manner, and is not subject to any statutory disqualification, can qualify for unemployment benefit like any other insured person when his employment ceases. However, if the Deputy has a particular case in mind I shall look into it if he will let me have particulars.
The Minister knows that if he is under 18 years of age he does not get full benefit.
From 16 to 18 he gets reduced benefit.