asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received an application from Alfred Noonan, of Tullamore, requesting an investigation into the circumstances under which he has been repeatedly passed over for employment within the urban area, although registered and in receipt of unemployment benefit, and if he is now in a position to state the reason for the non-employment of this man.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - A Tullamore Unemployed Man.
Alfred Noonan, of O'Molloy Street, Tullamore, was in receipt of unemployment assistance up to the 27th September, 1935, on which date he was offered work some 3½ miles distant from his place of residence. Mr. Noonan refused this offer of employment, and his application for assistance was accordingly disallowed. It was at this stage that Mr. Noonan complained that he had been passed over for employment within the urban area. Inquiries which I have caused to be made into his complaint show that Mr. Noonan was submitted for such employment by the local officer of my Department on several occasions, but was not selected by the employing authority.
The full facts of Mr. Noonan's case have been considered by the local Court of Referees, which has recommended that his application for unemployment assistance be disallowed on the ground that he was not genuinely seeking or unable to obtain suitable employment and the unemployment assistance officer has agreed with that recommendation.
Would the Minister inform me if Noonan was ever offered work inside the urban area?
He was, on a number of occasions, submitted for employment by the local employment branch of the office of Industry and Commerce, but he was not employed by the local employing authority.
The question asked was if any explanation can be given why Alfred Noonan was passed over for work in the urban area?
That question should be addressed to the local employing authority which is responsible for selecting the men for work. The labour branch of the Department of Industry and Commerce only submits the names of applicants for the work to the local employing authority. Having submitted the names, the selection remains with the local employing authority.
I understood it was the function of the Department of Industry and Commerce to ensure that men registered for work are taken strictly in rotation?
No.
I understood it was the function of the Department to select the names of those who are to be employed. Why has that been departed from in this case?
That practice has ceased to operate for some time past. Under the present arrangements the task of taking men on for employment rests with the local employment authority who select the men they require from the list sent to them.
Sir, as I am entirely dissatisfied with the Minister's reply, I ask permission to raise this matter on the adjournment.
Perhaps the Deputy would say what is the matter that he proposes to raise because it seems to me he has been dealing with something for which I am not responsible?