asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will amend the social welfare legislation to ensure that unemployment people in the State visiting Northern Ireland will not be deprived of their benefits or assistance for so doing; the reasons for this situation prevailing at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Legislation.
16.
Recipients of unemployment payments are required to be capable of and available for work and they prove unemployment by signing on at their local employment exchange or office at specified times.
Unemployment payments due in respect of periods in which the claimant was visiting Northern Ireland or any other location outside of the State are automatically suspended. The claimant can seek to have the case examined by a deciding officer however and payment would normally be made where a valid reason is shown for the absence from the State. The existing provisions are necessary to ensure the proper degree of management and control of the unemployment payments schemes.
There is a general provision in the legislation that short term social insurance benefits may not be paid while a person is absent from the State. However, under EC Regulations on social security for migrant workers unemployment benefit may be paid under certain conditions to persons going to another member state of the Community to seek employment.
As far as unemployment assistance payments are concerned payment may not be made where a person is resident, temporarily or permanently, outside the State. The question as to whether this is the case in any particular instance would be a matter to be determined by a deciding officer in the light of the circumstances.