asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will state when it is intended to introduce proposals for legislation to increase the cash benefits payable to unemployed persons under the Unemployment Insurance Acts and whether he is prepared to make the increased benefits retrospective to and payable as and from the commencement of the present financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
The increases in the amounts payable for dependents to recipients of unemployment benefit which were announced by the Minister for Finance in his Financial Statement will be brought into operation at an early date, and the necessary order under the Emergency Powers Act is being prepared for submission to the Government. I do not think legislation will be necessary. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.