I move: That this Bill be now read a Second Time. This Bill is a simple measure, the main purpose of which is to place members of the Defence Forces in the position of being assured that the unemployment benefit rights they had acquired before they joined the Forces will be preserved for them during their service in the Forces, and that irrespective of the duration of their service they will have these rights available in full on the termination of it. It is also proposed in the Bill to ensure that Irish seamen who are employed on ships the registration of which has been changed from Irish ports to ports in another country since the outbreak of war, will have these contributions to their credit in the Unemployment Fund still available to them for unemployment benefit purposes, even though further contributions have ceased to be payable for them. The Bill will cover all members of the Forces, and all members of the Reserve called out on permanent service, with the exception only of those commissioned officers who, having adopted the Army as their career, will retire on pension at the end of it. The Bill will cover all those who have joined the Army, irrespective of whether they joined before or will join after the passing of this Bill.
Unemployment Insurance Bill, 1940—Second and subsequent Stages.
Will it apply to national health benefit?
No, only to unemployment insurance.
Will the Minister consider the position under national health insurance?
The men are covered for national health.
I have nothing to do with the national health scheme.
I take it that the position is that any man who joined the Army will, on discharge, be in the same position in respect of unemployment insurance stamps as he was the day before he joined?
Exactly.
Is a Money Resolution required? Perhaps the provisions of the main Act will cover this.
This Bill is covered by the Employment Fund. This is not a tax.
On the Minister's head be the responsibility.
It is the Fund and not the Exchequer that provides the money.
Has the Minister considered the position of men who have no unemployment insurance stamps to their credit?
They do not come within the terms of the Unemployment Insurance Act, but will be eligible for unemployment assistance.
Bill put through Committee without amendment, and received for final consideration.
Are these Irish seamen still in this Fund?
No, the ships are transferred from our register. They will not come within the terms of our Unemployment Insurance Act.