asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (name supplied) was not granted unemployment assistance in view of the fact that he had given written proof of the number of employers from whom he had sought work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance Applicant.
12.
Following review by a deciding officer of the title to unemployment assistance of the person in question, his application was disallowed as from 16th June, 1971, under section 15 (1) (b) of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1933, on the ground that he was not genuinely seeking and unable to obtain suitable employment. He appealed against the disallowance but the decision was upheld by an appeals officer following an oral hearing on 25th August, 1971, at which the appellant attended and gave evidence. The question of whether payment of unemployment assistance should be resumed is at present under review by a deciding officer and an early decision will be given against which the applicant may again appeal if the decision is unfavourable to him.
As a matter of interest, did he, as Deputy Davern suggests, produce evidence that he had applied for employment to numerous employers and was unable to get it?
Yes; he said he had given written proof.
Did he give written proof that he had applied for jobs which he did not get and, if he did, how was his claim disallowed? The Minister may care to comment on that.
What he would regard as written proof we might not accept as written proof.
Question No. 13.
This is a matter which affects the country generally. If, in fact, he could produce written evidence from an employer that he had applied for a job and did not get it, is that not to be accepted as proof that he was looking for work?
It need not be.
Was an offer of employment made to the man by the employment exchange?
I could not say.
They thought he was too fat and put him on a slimming diet.
The Deputy knows perfectly well that anybody who seeks a written statement that he applied for work and did not succeed in getting it will get that statement. It may not necessarily prove that he could not get work elsewhere.
Would the Minister say why officers ask for a written statement from an employer if they will not accept it?
That is a different thing.
It is not a different thing. These people think they are God. They had better watch out. The sooner they are brought down to their own level the better.