Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Wardens.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

228 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the implications for the safety of schoolchildren arising from the decision to disallow school wardens the unemployment entitlement that they have customarily enjoyed during periods when schools are closed; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that where these part-time employees are driven into alternative employment many will not return to work as school wardens during the school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20551/01]

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

There has been no change in policy in relation to the entitlement of unemployed persons, including those employed in the educational sector, to unemployment benefit or assistance during periods of involuntary unemployment. Social welfare legislation provides that a person must satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work in order to be entitled to unemployment benefit or assistance. The relevant legislation specifies the circumstances in which a person is or is not deemed to be available for and genuinely seeking employment. In applying the legislation, deciding officers have regard to the availability of job vacancies in the locality and to the extent to which a claimant has sought to take advantage of existing labour market opportunities. Any person who fails to satisfy the deciding officer that he or she is available for full-time employment and genuinely seeking work is not entitled to an unemployment payment. School wardens and other workers in the educational sector are treated in the same way and are expected to meet the same requirements as other claimants in that regard.

Where a person is dissatisfied with a decision made by a deciding officer he or she may appeal this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office.

The unemployment benefit scheme is not intended to cater for situations where people are in part-time work and are only available to work on a part-time basis. If a person in part-time employment loses that employment and shows that he or she is available for and seeking but unable to obtain full-time work then there is an entitlement to unemployment benefit for the full week.

Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.