asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that nine men, residing in the Urban District of Midleton, County Cork, were sent, by the local Employment Exchange, on 22nd May, 1946, to work on a rural scheme, in respect of which a State grant is provided, and were offered payment at the rate of 36/- a week, which is practically 20/- a week less than the rate to which these men are normally entitled; that on refusing to accept the wages offered they were suspended from the receipt of unemployment benefit; whether the procedure was repeated in the case of nine other men on 29th May; and whether he will state if it is the policy of his Department to require unemployed men in urban areas to accept, in rural districts, rates of pay substantially less than the rates to which they are entitled in urban areas and to deprive them of unemployment benefit should they refuse to accept the lower rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rates of Wages on Rural Scheme.
The Deputy's question appears to refer to certain men residing in and near Midleton who refused to accept employment on a rural improvement scheme outside the boundary of Midleton on the 22nd April, the 29th April and the 7th May, 1946. Eleven men refused to accept the employment and six others who started work left of their own accord after five days' work. Of these 17 men, one was allowed unemployment assistance. The remaining 16 were disallowed. Five have not appealed; two were disallowed on appeal; six appeals are being reheard by the Court of Referees and three appeals are due for hearing immediately.
When work is refused by unemployment assistance applicants each case is determined on its merits by the unemployment assistance officer, consideration being given to all the circumstances of the applicant, who may, if dissatisfied, require his case to be referred to the Court of Referees. Subject in certain circumstances to the further right to have the case referred to the umpire, the recommendation of the Court of Referees, if accepted by the unemployment assistance officer, determines the case. I understand there is a possibility that the present case may be taken to the umpire.