asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the large number of complaints being made by unemployed men and women with reference to delay in paying the unemployment money, if he is aware that persons are signing for six and seven weeks before they receive their allowance; if he will take steps to speed up the consideration of all such cases.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ALLEGED DELAY IN PAYMENT.
Mr. HOGAN (replying for Minister for Industry and Commerce)
The Minister is not aware of any cases in which six or seven weeks delay has occurred in the payment of benefit to those entitled to it, and cannot investigate such statements without particulars of the cases the Deputy has in mind. It is the fact that some delay in authorising claims occurred at the beginning of a new benefit year on October 17th, last, because the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1923, necessitated the balancing at that date of the account of each insured contributor. This work was, however, completed some time ago.
Mr. BYRNE
Might I ask the Minister whether he would not consider the advisability of merely ringing up the Exchange and asking whether the statement contained in the question is true. Nine unemployed men called on me on the morning I put down the question, and they told me that they had been signing for seven weeks.
Mr. HOGAN
It is stated in the answer that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has not heard of any cases in which for six or seven weeks unemployed men had been signing up. If there are nine specific cases, and if you can give those nine names, they will be investigated immediately by the Ministry. It was pointed out that there was some delay about the 17th October, owing to having to balance the books of each contributor.
Arising out of that answer, will the Minister be surprised to know that people have been signing for 12 or 14 weeks in parts of the country?
Mr. HOGAN
Furnish the names and they will be investigated.
Is there any reason why those cases should be sent to Dublin for adjudication? The delay seems to be altogether in Dublin?
Mr. HOGAN
It is stated in the answer that as far as the Minister knows there has been no delay of six or seven weeks. Some delay occurred about the 17th October, as a result of having to balance the books of contributors. If the Deputies have any cases which they wish the Minister to investigate, they can give the names. I do not think he could go further than that, except to hold an inquiry.