asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the fact that applicants for unemployment assistance must cycle seven miles to Castlemaine, County Kerry, he will open a station at Sheanakale so that they may sign for it there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
32.
I have arranged for an examination of the adequacy of the facilities in the district mentioned for the certification of evidence of unemployment and I will advise the Deputy in due course of the outcome.
33.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the hardship and dissatisfaction caused by disallowing payment of unemployment benefit to women registered at Galway employment exchange; and in view of the fall in employment due to the reduction in the tourist trade if he will now ensure that payment is made at an early date.
I am aware that certain claims to unemployment benefit by women registered at the Galway employment exchange have been disallowed.The question of whether a claimant satisfies the statutory conditions for title to unemployment benefit is a matter for decision by deciding officers or, on appeal, by appeals officers and I have no function in the matter. A fundamental requirement of the statutory conditions is that the claimant must be available for employment.It will be clear that the extent of the employment opportunities open to a claimant is not, and cannot be, a determinant of the question of whether the person is in fact available for work.
I may add that most of the claims by the women in question have been or are the subject of appeal and that in some cases appeals have been successful.