asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that William Green, of 22a St. Joseph's Mansions, Dublin, the father of the late Séamus Edward Green, age 27, who lost his life as a result of the bombing and subsequent sinking of the Irish registered and Irish owned ss. "Clonlara" on 22nd August, 1941, has been awarded 5/- per week for himself and 5/- for his wife as compensation for the loss of their son, and that the authority for this payment expires on 22nd August, 1942; if he is aware that, owing to receiving this 5/-, William Green's unemployment assistance has been reduced from 16/6 per week to 12/- per week, thus leaving him with 6d. per week allowance as compensation; and if the Minister will see that an adequate allowance is made to the parents of the seaman, and that the father's unemployment assistance will also be fully restored.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowance to Seaman's Dependents.
Mr. Byrne
I am aware that Mr. and Mrs. Green have been awarded a joint pension of 10/- per week as compensation for the loss of their son. Such pensions are subject to periodical review of the recipients' pecuniary circumstances. In this case, a review is due before the 22nd August next and the pension payable after that date will be determined on receipt of the report.
Under the provisions of the Unemployment Assistance Act, the weekly sum awarded must be treated as means and a reduction of the rate of unemployment assistance applicable to the case follows automatically.
The compensation awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Green is equivalent to the compensation that would be payable in similar circumstances to the parents of a seaman who had been serving on a British ship.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the result of this is that Mr. Green is only receiving 6d. per week compensation, for one year, for the loss of his son? Will the Parliamentary Secretary answer that part of the question? I ask him if he will see that an adequate sum is paid in compensation, not alone in this case, but in all other cases. Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that, as another Minister has stated, these men are given the same compensation as is given in England and that the English authorities do not deduct a similar sum from unemployment insurance benefit, which is far in excess of the unemployment benefit paid here?
This is not a case of unemployment insurance benefit, but of unemployment assistance. It is a reduction of unemployment assistance, and the same thing applies in England.
Mr. Byrne
I hope the Parliamentary Secretary is not trying to get away with that merely on the ground of the difference between unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit. Is he aware that in similar circumstances in England the money from another fund is not deducted, and will he see—and I am sure that he will have the support of the whole House—that adequate compensation will be paid to the dependents of those who go to sea to help us to get in much-needed supplies?
The Deputy may ask a question, not make a speech.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Parliamentary Secretary see that adequate compensation is paid to these people for the loss of the lives of their dear ones? Does he refuse to reply?
Question 6: to the Minister for Agriculture.
Mr. Byrne
Does the Parliamentary Secretary refuse to reply as to whether adequate compensation will be paid?
Order. Question 6.
Mr. Byrne
Is that to be the nation's reply to these men?
Deputies
Order, order!
Question 6.