Vol. 395 No. 9
185 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the assistance or forms of relief which are available to fishermen at Howth Harbour, County Dublin who have been unable to work due to bad weather over the past two months; and if he will consider making dole payments available to them on an exceptional basis in view of their particular hardships.
Under Social Welfare legislation, a whole-time share-fisherman, who is unable to put to sea owing to adverse weather conditions, is entitled to unemployment benefit for any day on which he is not engaged in any work associated with fishing such as the maintenance of a ship or of gear. Entitlement to benefit is subject to satisfaction of the normal contribution conditions. Where the contribution or other conditions are not satisfied, a whole-time share-fisherman may apply instead for unemployment assistance. Part-time fishermen, who are unemployed, may also apply for unemployment assistance.
