Vol. 456 No. 4
23 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Social Welfare if non-nationals from other EU countries are entitled to claim unemployment assistance in this State; if so, the circumstances in which they are entitled to claim; and the total number of non-nationals in receipt of payments in 1994 by country of origin. [13967/95]
35 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if non-nationals from other EU countries are entitled to claim unemployment assistance in this State; if so, the circumstances in which they are entitled to claim; and the total number of non-nationals in receipt of payments in 1994 by country of origin. [13968/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 35 together. The legislation governing entitlement to unemployment assistance requires that applicants be capable of, available for and genuinely seeking employment.
To be considered available for employment in Ireland, non-Irish applicants for unemployment assistance must show that they have a legal right to reside in Ireland and that there is no prohibition as part of the residency conditions from taking up employment in Ireland.
Nationals of EU member states are entitled to come and seek employment in Ireland under the provisions governing the freedom of movement of workers within the EU. Accordingly, where a national of an EU member state becomes unemployed in Ireland he-she is entitled to claim unemployment assistance.
It is estimated that the number of non-nationals in receipt of unemployment assistance is in the region of 2,000.
