asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is a fact that applicants for unemployment assistance who have been employed in Great Britain must first apply in this country for benefit on British stamps before becoming entitled to unemployment assistance here; and, further, if it is a fact that to qualify for British benefit an applicant must have ten months stamps affixed to his card for the current year which very few Irish migrants have; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that an Irish applicant generallyhas not the requisite number of stamps to qualify for British benefit, he will state why he is required to apply for this benefit thereby holding up his application for Irish unemployment assistance and if he will take immediate steps to remedy this injustice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance Applicants.
Under the Unemployment Assistance Acts, a person is disqualified for receiving unemployment assistance if he is entitled to unemployment benefit. Consequently, before payment of unemployment assistance may be authorised, the question of possible eligibility for unemployment benefit must be determined. If it appears that an applicant for unemployment assistance though ineligible, on his recent contribution record here, for unemployment benefit under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, may be in a position to qualify for that benefit by reason of a transfer of contributions for unemployment insurance from Great Britain, his position in this respect must be established before his application for unemployment assistance can be determined.
The contribution requirement mentioned in the Deputy's question is not, so far as I am aware, a condition for receipt of unemployment benefit in Great Britain. I am aware, however, that a high percentage of the applications for transfer is successful.
In any case where undue delay is likely to occur in ascertaining whether an applicant for unemployment assistance is eligible for a transfer of British contributions arrangements can be made to pay unemployment assistance pending determination of the transfer position.
Would it not be possible to have unemployment assistance paid without prejudice pending the investigation of applications for benefit?
I have had that matter under consideration for some time and if I can find a solution I will be only too glad, but there are difficulties.
I appreciate that.