asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will state the reasons for refusing to pay unemployment insurance benefit to Thomas Dunne, Green Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Serial Book No. 577, Newbridge Office, who lodged a claim to benefit on the 7th May, 1929, and whether he will expedite payment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Insurance Benefit.
A claim to unemployment benefit made by Mr. Thomas Dunne on the 7th May last was disallowed under the first part of Section 8 (4) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, as amended, because no contribution had been paid for him in the 1927-28 insurance year, and less than twelve contributions have since been paid. Mr. Dunne appealed against the decision to the Court of Referees which, having considered the case, recommended that the claim should be disallowed, a recommendation with which the insurance officer agreed. The claim, accordingly, remains disallowed, and Mr. Dunne is disqualified by the section mentioned from receiving unemployment benefit until not less than twelve contributions have been paid for him subsequent to the 1927-28 insurance year.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Mr. Dunne has sent in his 1927 card? That should qualify him for benefit. I know he has sent in that card.
He has no contributions paid to his account during the 1927-28 year. Perhaps what the Deputy refers to is the contributions to his credit in Great Britain —he worked in Great Britain in that period—but, as the Deputy is aware, we have a separate account here for each employee, and Mr. Dunne's account here is only credited with the stamps paid in the Saorstát.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary undertake to look into this matter again? I really think there is some mistake and this man is not getting fair treatment.
If the Deputy can give me any further information about the matter I will be glad to look into it again.