asked the Minister for Labour the reason labourers and tradesmen employed by AnCO on outside pro jects are not having their insurance cards stamped so that they can claim unemployment benefit when they become redundant.
Written Answers. - AnCO Employees.
304.
Sponsors of projects approved for assistance under the AnCo Community Youth Training Programme are required to employ a foreman and receive a contribution from AnCo to cover the costs incurred in this regard. The sponsors are advised by AnCo at the outset of their responsibilities as employers, in particular in so far as those relate to compliance with the Social Welfare Acts.
In addition unemployed workers, including tradesmen and skilled labourers, are offered training opportunities with AnCo designed to expand or update their skills. This may include a period of experience on an outside project run under the AnCO Community Youth Training Programme. While in the AnCO system these trainees receive a weekly training allowance. They are insured for occupational injuries under section 16 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1967 and are given "credits" to preserve whatever entitlement they may have accumulated to unemployment benefit as provided by the Social Welfare (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations, 1968. As trainees are not employed by AnCO the question of entitlement to redundancy payments does not arise.