Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 3

Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

54 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he is considering any relaxation of the genuinely seeking work criteria for workers laid off as a result of the foot and mouth crisis in view of the fact that most workers are anticipating a return to their employment and consequently they are unavailable for alternative employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10467/01]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

64 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has made any estimate of the likely cost of the foot and mouth outbreak to the social welfare budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10474/01]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

66 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he intends to put in place measures to ensure that workers being laid off due to the foot and mouth crisis will not be subject to a waiting period before receiving their unemployment payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10468/01]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

233 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will guarantee that any employee who is laid off work in the tourism sector due to the lack of business as a result of the foot and mouth situation will not have to wait three days to avail of unemployment benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10593/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 64, 66 and 233 together.

I would like to make it clear at the outset that employees who are laid off as a result of the foot and mouth disease may qualify for unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance subject to satisfying the usual conditions for receipt of payment. Those conditions include being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work.

In regard to claims for unemployment payments arising from the foot and mouth crisis, deciding officers in my Department would have regard to the temporary nature of the layoffs in question, to the expectation that employment will be resumed once relevant restrictions are eased or lifted, and to the fact that, in the circumstances, the persons concerned may not have had a chance to consider other employment opportunities. Each case is decided on its own merits within the framework of the legislation.

I should also add that, in the event that a person does not qualify for an unemployment payment or is awaiting a decision on the claim, he or she can apply for supplementary welfare allowance at their local health centre and the community welfare officer will assess them on the basis of their current circumstances and immediate needs.

Turning to the question of the waiting period, under social welfare legislation, a person who claims unemployment benefit is not normally paid for the first three days, which are known as waiting days. Such waiting days have always been a feature of the system and it would not be appropriate to treat those laid off as a result of foot and mouth disease differently from workers laid off for any other reason. Where, however, the person had a claim in respect of the scheme within the previous 13 weeks, payment may be made from the first day of the claim. I emphasise, however, that people who need financial support are not left without such support during the waiting period. A person who has no other income may claim supplementary welfare allowance in respect of the days in question.

With regard to the cost implications, at this stage it is not possible to estimate accurately the likely cost of this crisis on the social welfare budget. The impact on the budget will depend on the future course of the disease and particularly the length of time that the adverse economic effects of the disease continue. Recently, there have been positive signs that the disease and its impact might be contained. In the meantime, it is my view that the existing range of social welfare income support measures provides the necessary safety net for the different categories of customers in need of the services of my Department.