asked the Minister for Social Welfare the payments provided for released prisoners under the Social Welfare Acts; the length of time they have to wait for payments; and if they are entitled to apply for them before release.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Released Prisoners' Social Welfare Entitlements.
8.
While there are no payments specifically applicable to released prisoners, such persons can, of course, qualify for any benefit, appropriate social insurance or assistance payments in the same way as other persons.
I presume, however, that the Deputy has principally in mind the entitlement of released prisoners to unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance. In the normal course payment of such benefit or assistance would be made in the week following the date of a claim at the latest.
With regard to the last part of the question, the answer is "No". It will be appreciated that a person undergoing imprisonment cannot at the same time claim to be available for employment. My Department has, however, had discussions with organisations concerned with the welfare of ex-prisoners and has indicated its readiness to make special arrangements to assist such persons as far as possible in making their claims and establishing their entitlement with the minimum of delay.