asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will pay unemployment benefit to employees who have been locked-out by employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit.
10.
Payment of unemployment benefit depends on fulfilment of the statutory conditions for entitlement to such benefit. These conditions include certain provisions affecting the right to benefit where the claimant has lost employment by reason of a stoppage of work which was due to a trade dispute at his place of employment.
The question as to whether persons who have been "locked-out" by employers have lost employment in such circumstances and, if so, whether they satisfy the statutory conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefit is not one for decision by me. In accordance with the law such a question has to be determined by a statutory deciding officer or, on appeal, by an appeals officer.
Surely the Minister will agree that it is only right and proper that when employees are locked out although they wish to work they should be entitled in all cases to unemployment benefit?
I would need to have all the details of any particular case before dealing with that.
Will the Minister not agree that in all cases in which employees are locked out they should be entitled to unemployment benefit?
Question No. 11.