asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the grounds on which Mr. Joseph O'Donnell, Tiernee, Lettermore, County Galway, has been deprived for a long period this year of unemployment assistance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance.
Mr. Joseph O'Donnell, of Tiernee, Lettermore, County Galway, who received payment of unemployment assistance continuously from the 11th December, 1944, to the 14th June, 1949, was refused unemployment assistance from the 15th June, 1949, on the ground that he failed to comply with the statutory condition for the receipt of unemployment assistance which requires an applicant to be genuinely seeking but unable to obtain suitable employment. His applications for unemployment assistance were considered on three occasions by the court of referees, and on each occasion disallowance of the application was recommended by the court.
In view of the fact that this man offered himself for employment on a bog scheme and was told that there was no work available for him—his neighbours can not only support this statement of his but representations on his behalf have been made by many of his neighbours—will the Minister have the case reinvestigated?
I should, perhaps, inform the Deputy that this man received unemployment assistance benefit, as I have indicated, continuously from December, 1944, to June, 1949, that his record in respect of work compares most unfavourably with all other persons in the area in which he lives, and that he was refused unemployment assistance benefit on application made as from the 15th June, 1949. He appealed against the disallowance then, and on two subsequent occasions his case came before the court of referees. It was constituted of representatives of employers and of representatives of workers, with an independent chairman. On three occasions that court, so constituted, recommended that unemployment assistance should not be paid to him as they were not satisfied that he was genuinely seeking work and was unable to obtain it. On one of the occasions, when he appeared before the court to give evidence in person, he stated that he was required at home in connection with the spring's work on, presumably, whatever holding he has, and was not in a position to take alternative employment if it interfered with his being required at home for the spring's work.
That is last spring.
Question No. 9.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
Question No. 9.