asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that workers, who have been retired from their employment at 65 years of age, have to attend on several days per week at employment exchanges to prove unemployment in order to qualify for unemployment benefit; and, if so, if he will amend present legislation and permit such persons to prove unemployment once per week only.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Proving of Unemployment.
29.
Under existing arrangements the general position is that claimants to unemployment benefit who reside within two miles of their local office are required to attend there daily. Those residing over two miles but not over four miles from the local office have to attend twice weekly. Claimants residing over four miles from the office are required to attend once a week only, either at the local office itself or at an appointed Garda station or signing centre, as appropriate.
The desirability of easing the present signing arrangements in the case of claimants who are over 65 years of age is at present under examination in my Department.