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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 1

Written Answers. - Part-time Workers.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

265 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the way in which part-time workers in the hotel, catering and tourism industry can fulfil the seeking alternative employment rule when they are being laid off for days and parts of weeks; his views on whether a return to the traditional policy in this area is necessary. [29495/01]

A person who has been laid off is entitled to unemployment payments provided he or she is fully unemployed for at least three days in any period of six consecutive days.

The conditions for receipt of unemployment payments require, inter alia, that a person must be available for employment and genuinely seeking work. In order to satisfy these conditions a person must demonstrate that he or she is making reasonable efforts to secure suitable, full-time employment or self-employment. Clearly, however, an unemployed person would be expected to take up other part-time work if that is available for the days on which they are unemployed.

All unemployed persons, including part-time workers, who are in receipt of an unemployment payment, are given a reasonable period of time in which to look for suitable full-time employment, following which their claims may be subject to review to see if they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions for receipt of payment.

There has been no change in policy in relation to the entitlement of unemployed persons, including those employed on a part-time basis, to unemployment benefit and assistance during periods of unemployment. Where a person is dissatisfied with the decision to refuse him or her an unemployment payment he or she may appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Under social welfare legislation, decisions in relation to individual claims must be made by deciding officers and appeal officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

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