asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will have inquiries made respecting the claim, lodged in Newbridge in July, 1922, to a second refund of contributions paid in England between the age of sixty and seventy-two years by M. Byrne, c/o. Mrs. Coyle, New Row, Naas, Co. Kildare, Unemployment Book No. 4038, as provided for in Section 25 (3) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, and whether he will have representations made to the British Ministry of Labour with a view to expediting payment.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REFUND OF ENGLISH UNEMPLOYMENT CONTRIBUTIONS.
As the British Ministry of Labour was dealing with claims for refunds of contributions on an agency basis for my department at the time Mr. Byrne made his claim, there is no record here of the application. Inquiries are being made with a view to ascertaining the cause of delay in making the refund, and Mr. Byrne will be duly advised by letter when the inquiries are completed.
Can the Minister say if the information contained in this sub-section is published so that unemployment insurance contributors will know all about this second refund? I believe that most people throughout the country know nothing at all about this sub-section. I think it is necessary that it should be published throughout the country in the exchanges, so that they may be made aware of the fact that a great number of men in the Saorstát are entitled to a second refund.
I cannot say that I am aware as to what the practice is with regard to publication, but I take it as a suggestion from the Deputy that such information should be given through the exchange. I will have that suggestion considered.