asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Mr. Michael Doohill, of Ballymote, who was employed by the Sligo County Council for a period of nine years, during which time he never applied for unemployment benefit, was refused unemployment benefit by the umpire when he became ill in March, 1928, although he had furnished a doctor's certificate testifying that he was unable to work, and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the case with a view to Mr. Doohill being paid any benefits to which he may be entitled.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT CLAIM.
Michael Doohill, of Ballymote, made a claim to unemployment benefit on the 27th March, 1928. His account with the Unemployment Fund showed that altogether sixty-one contributions had been paid for him up to date. His claim was disallowed by the Insurance Officer under Section 7 (1) (ii.) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, on the ground that the claimant was not at the time unemployed, being in fact a cartage contractor. He appealed, as he was entitled to do, to the Court of Referees, which, after having considered what the applicant had to say, recommended that the claim should be disallowed, giving the claimant, however, leave to appeal to the Umpire. The Insurance Officer having agreed with the recommendation of the Court of Referees, the claimant subsequently appealed to the Umpire, who decided that the claim must be disallowed.
This decision is final.
I may add that no doctor's certificate stating that Mr. Doohill was unable to work was furnished to my Department, and that if it had been furnished it would of itself have been fatal to Mr. Doohill's claim to benefit which, under the Acts, cannot be paid to any person who at the time of claiming is incapable of work.