asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he can state why unemployment benefit has not been paid to James Mitchell, 9 Auburn Terrace, Mullingar, who was a member of the National Army for two years and four months, Army No. 29158, Transport Section, and if he is aware that the applicant has signed for fourteen weeks without result, and whether as Mitchell was in an insurable occupation for four and a half years prior to joining the Army, payment of benefit will be expedited.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT CLAIMS.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
Joseph Mitchell, 9 Auburn Terrace, Mullingar, claimed special benefit on the 19th December, 1924. In lodging his claim Mr. Mitchell stated he had not previously applied for an unemployment insurance book. It was subsequently discovered, however, that he had on two previous occasions applied for, and received, unemployment insurance books, and in respect of each of those applications an account had been opened for him with the Unemployment Insurance Fund into which contributions had been paid on his account. His failure to disclose the fact that these two accounts were in existence, was responsible for delay in making payment of benefit to him, but his claim has now been authorised for 96 days' benefit in respect of the Fourth Benefit Year, which ended on the 24th March, and payment will be made to him at a very early date.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the reason for the delay in paying unemployment benefit to John Kelly, Church Street, Baltinglass, who made application for benefit on 19th January, 1925.
John Kelly, of Church Street, Baltinglass, was in receipt of benefit up to the middle of December. At that time it became necessary to suspend further payments pending investigation of the applicant's title to benefit. The investigation has now been completed, and payment of all further benefit due to Mr. Kelly will be made to-morrow.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received communications from or on behalf of John Priestly, Kilacloran, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow, asking for a decision as to whether or not his late employer was liable for stamping his unemployment insurance card, and if he is yet in a position to give his decision in the matter.
I decided the question on the 30th March, and my decision that John Priestly's employment was insurable has been duly notified to the parties concerned.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state why unemployment insurance benefit has been refused to Thomas Wills, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow, who was previously employed by the Wicklow County Council.
One of the statutory conditions for the receipt of unemployment insurance benefit laid down in Section 7 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, is that the applicant must be unemployed and unable to obtain suitable employment. The claim of Thomas Wills was disallowed by the Insurance Officer on the ground that he failed to fulfil this condition. The claimant exercised his legal right to appeal from that decision to the Court of Referees, which, however, recommended that benefit should be disallowed. The Insurance Officer accepted the recommendation, and the case, therefore, remains disallowed.
Is the Minister aware that unemployment is very prevalent in this district and that this man is unable to procure any employment? Resolutions have been passed by the County Council and other bodies appealing to the Government to assist the unemployed.
I am aware of that condition generally, but with regard to Thomas Wills, he first of all had his claim considered by the insurance officials and then, when his claim was disallowed, he exercised his legal right and it went to the Court of Referees and they, knowing the conditions, and the statutory conditions necessary for the receipt of benefit, also disallowed the claim, so that the claim at the moment remains disallowed.
Will they inform this man where he can procure employment?
I am afraid that is not the function of the Court of Referees.
He is not able to procure employment and they should be in a position to know where he could get employment.