asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he can state the reason why the decision of the Sligo Court of Referees to allow the unemployment benefit claim made on 12/3/1929, by Francis McPartland, Stranuane, Arigna (Local Office, Sligo, Serial No. 8250), was reversed by the Umpire; whether he is aware that this man's cards were fully stamped, and whether he is further aware that he is totally dependent on his earnings, and whether, in view of these facts, he will have his case reconsidered.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - Arigna Unemployment Benefit Claims.
The Umpire came to the conclusion on the facts of this case that the claimant was not unemployed. The claimant, therefore, failed to satisfy one of the essential conditions for the receipt of benefit, which is not payable to any applicant, no matter what contributions may be to his credit, unless at the time when a claim is made his circumstances are such as these conditions prescribe.
The Umpire is an independent officer whose decisions are as binding on my Department as on applicants for benefit. The facts mentioned in the question were fully known to the Umpire when arriving at his decision, and there is no ground on which this case could be reopened unless fresh facts are adduced that were not previously within the Umpire's knowledge.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary admit that this man is totally dependent on his earnings?
No.
I understood the Parliamentary Secretary stated that the facts mentioned in the question were fully known to the Umpire when he made his decision and if the man was totally dependent upon his earnings I fail to see how the Umpire came to the decision that he was not unemployed.
In any case we have nothing to do with the point raised by Deputy O'Dowd although it was mentioned in the investigation of the case. The main outstanding point that arose in investigating the case was that this man was offered employment on several occasions and refused it.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that grave hardship is inflicted on miners in this district in having to walk five miles to the Gárda Síochána barracks to report, and, further, is he aware that the expense of having to go to Sligo to appear before the Court of Referees would practically absorb a week's wages?
I presume all those points were put before the Umpire and that he came to an equitable decision in view of all the circumstances of the case.
In view of the large number of such cases would the Parliamentary Secretary consider the advisability of having legislation introduced to amend the Act so as to cover all these men who when unemployed cannot secure benefit?
No, I would not.
Mr. Hogan (Clare):
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say if the solvency of the fund was brought about by the withholding of such justifiable benefits?
Quite illegal.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he can state the reason why unemployment insurance benefit was refused to Thomas Cullen, Arigna (Local Office, Sligo, Serial No. 11913), on claim made on 22nd May, 1930.
Benefit was not refused to Thomas Cullen, of Arigna, on his claim of 22nd May, 1930. He has received on that claim all the benefit to which he was entitled in respect of the unemployment proved by him.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary explain why this official notice was sent to this man—"With reference to the claim for unemployment benefit made by you on 22-5-'30 you are hereby informed that it has been decided by the insurance officer that benefit is not payable on the claim on the following ground: that applicant is not unemployed (Sec. 7)."
Yes, he was paid all the benefit on the claim that he was entitled to.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary explain why they added at the end of this that with reference to the claim for unemployment benefit made on 22nd May, 1930, he was refused because he was unemployed on 18th and 19th July, 1930, two months later.
He was not refused on that claim. He was paid benefit on the claim he made on that date, but the benefit could only go over a certain period. There are statutory conditions which must be fulfilled before he can get benefit payment.