asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the total number of persons who, since 1st January last, claimed unemployment benefit on the basis of insurance cards issued and stamped in Great Britain; and if he will say what reasons, if any, have been furnished by these people for their return from Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Claimants from Britain.
The number of applications received in the period from the 1st January, 1953, to the 23rd May, 1953, inclusive, from persons desirous of obtaining unemployment benefit in respect of contributions for unemployment insurance paid in Great Britain was 4,464. I have no information which would enable me to reply to the second part of the Deputy's question.
Is the number of migratory labourers who have come back to draw benefit here on stamps which they have to their credit in Great Britain included in the figure?
I cannot answer the Deputy's question.
Does it also include Irish merchant seamen who have served on British ships?
I cannot answer that.