asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the number of applicants refused unemployment assistance under the Unemployment Assistance Acts as the result of recommendations by Courts of Referees throughout the country during (a) the month of March, 1952, and (b) the month of March, 1953.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refusal of Unemployment Assistance.
In the month of March, 1952, Courts of Referees recommended against applicants for unemployment assistance in 75 cases.
Courts of Referees ceased to function as from 5th January, 1953, being replaced by the new appeals machinery set up under the Social Welfare Act, 1952.
In the month of March, 1953, appeals officers decided against applicants for unemployment assistance in 110 cases.
In view of the increased number of applicants who have been refused unemployment assistance under the present system, will the Minister not consider, in fairness to these applicants, reverting to the former system? Would it not be much better, also, to have local chairmen on Courts of Referees to decide these appeals and make their recommendations rather than whole-time civil servants?
The Deputy, in his question, simply asked for the number of applicants.