asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Mr. Thomas Lee, of Dohulla, Ballyconneely, Clifden (Local Office, Clifden, Serial No. 573), has been employed in an insurable occupation from the year 1919 to July, 1922; that he has a wife and five children, and that he has only received £12 10s. Od. as unemployment benefit, and whether he will state the reason for this.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT CLAIM (CLIFDEN).
Thomas Lee, of Dohulla, Ballyconneely, Clifden, first applied for and obtained an unemployment book in April, 1922. He does not appear to have been an insured contributor prior to that date. Altogether, only 22 contributions have been paid for him under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, and in respect of these he obtained benefit for 22 days, amounting to £4 4s. 4d., on a claim dated the 20th September, 1922; for 44 days, amounting to £8 8s. 8d., on a claim dated the 2nd November, 1922, and for 22 days amounting to £4 8s. Od., on a claim dated 29th December, 1924. He has exhausted his contributions in the Unemployment Fund, and under existing legislation cannot receive any further payment of benefit until further contributions have been paid for him.