asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Garret Boland, Cooleregan, Mitchelstown, County Cork, was requested by letter to report personally at the Employment Exchange at Fermoy on Tuesday, March 12th, in connection with his application for unemployment assistance; whether it is a fact that due to unsatisfactory postal arrangements the notification did not reach Mr. Boland until late on the evening of March 12th, and that he actually reported on the morning of March 13th, but was informed that benefit could not be paid to him on the ground that he failed to report on the date named in the notification from the Employment Exchange; whether he is aware that Mr. Boland resides over 12 miles from the Exchange, and that he has travelled that distance on seven occasions, but without being able to obtain payment of the benefit to which he is entitled, and if he will state why the benefit due in this case was not paid, and under what regulations Mr. Boland is required to travel a distance of 12 miles to prove his title to benefit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance Payments
Dr. Ryan
The facts of this case are as follows: It became necessary to settle certain questions which arose on an application for unemployment assistance made by Garrett Boland at the branch employment office, Fermoy, in order that payment of assistance might be made to him. To this end the branch manager wrote to Mr. Boland on two occasions for certain information but to neither communication did Mr. Boland reply, and the branch manager then suggested to him that it might be more satisfactory for him to call at the branch office to furnish the required information in person. Mr. Boland did so, and in consequence his claim was cleared for payment, which was made to him as soon as practicable. Mr. Boland is not required to attend at the branch office, Fermoy, to claim or to receive payment of unemployment assistance and he did so on the occasion in question, presumably because he preferred to do so rather than furnish the information required by post.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that on February 7th, 1935, the branch manager at Granard Employment Exchange refused to pay unemployment assistance to James Creegan, qualification certificate No. N. 2909, and Patrick Murray, qualification certificate No. N. 1653; that no explanation was given to these men then or subsequently of the refusal to pay them benefit; that the men in question are able and willing to work, and that they are genuinely seeking employment but without result; that they are now endeavouring to maintain their families on an allowance of 5/- per week home assistance, and whether he will now take steps to have paid, retrospectively, the benefit to which they are entitled and cause an investigation to be held into the action of the persons responsible for discontinuing the payment of their benefit.
Dr. Ryan
Payment of unemployment assistance on claims lodged by James Creegan and Patrick Murray has been suspended pending inquiries into the circumstances of their cases. Until these inquiries are completed it will not be possible to resume payment of assistance to either applicant. The investigation is proceeding with all possible speed.