andMr. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement on reports that workers laid off at Tara Mines, County Meath have been refused social welfare benefits.
Written Answers. - Tara Mines Workers.
187.
Claims for unemployment benefit from workers at Tara Mines have been submitted to a deciding officer of my Department. He has decided on the evidence before him that the claimants who were engaged in mining operations are disqualified for receiving benefit under the provisions of the Social Welfare Acts which relate to persons who have lost employment by reason of a stoppage of work which was due to a trade dispute.
The persons concerned are being notified of the decisions on their claims and of their right to appeal.
Further investigations are continuing into claims from those workers who were not engaged in mining operations and when these are completed decisions will be given without delay.