asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Thomas Howe, Pollardstown Cottage, Curragh Edge, Co. Kildare (Serial Book No. 1827, Kildare Branch Office), has been refused unemployment insurance benefit; that Mr. Howe, on being employed on the 28th December, 1926, gave his unemployment insurance card, with 3 stamps affixed, to his employer, who discharged him on the 21st April, 1927, as he had no further employment for him; that on discharge his employer refused to stamp and return his card, thereby depriving him of his right to draw unemployment insurance benefit, and whether the Minister will take immediate action in the case, as that payment can be made to Mr. Howe.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIM (KILDARE).
The last claim to unemployment benefit received from Thomas Howe, of Pollardstown Cottage, Curragh Edge, Co. Kildare, was made on the 19th September last. On that claim he was allowed and paid 27 days' benefit in respect of the 27 unexhausted contributions to his credit in the Unemployment Fund. Having no further contributions to his credit he could not receive further benefit. The claimant's statement that contributions were not paid in respect of his employment in the period from the 28th December, 1926, to the 21st April, 1927, appears to be correct, and my Department has taken steps with a view to having those contributions paid, but, pending their payment, benefit cannot be allowed in respect of them. It is open to any claimant to sue his employer under Section 24 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, for the recovery of any benefits he may have lost by reason of any failure on the employer's part to pay contributions for him.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether his Department has any inspectors going about the country whose duty it is to see that employers stamp the cards and return them to workmen when they are discharged? I do not think it is fair to put the onus on the insured person. Would the Parliamentary Secretary see to it that in future employers do their duty by the workers?
The Department is now taking suitable action where it is brought to their notice that this irregularity has taken place.