asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that men discharged from the National Army after June 29th, 1924, are not eligible to receive special unemployment benefits granted to exNational soldiers, and if he will state if any provision has been made for such men.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EX-ARMY MEN AND UNEMPLOYED BENEFITS.
The restriction of benefit to men discharged before 29th June, 1924, is specifically provided for by the terms of the Unemployment Insurance Acts. Army service is not insurable employment, and normal circumstances, therefore, does not entitle a soldier to benefit on his discharge. In the abnormal circumstances created by the demobilisation of large numbers of men temporarily enlisted for an emergency it was decided to ease the transition to civil life by the special grant of a certain amount of benefit, and the date 29th June, 1924, was selected as corresponding to the end of the demobilisation period. To grant benefit to men, without regard to the date of their discharge would, in effect, be to treat Army service as insurable employment which the Acts specifically declare it is not; as between ex-Army men, however, preference is given as a general rule for employment on relief works to the men who are not in receipt of benefit.