asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the fact that a number of workers will have been declared redundant before the enactment of the Redundancy Payments Bill, 1967, he will consider granting increased unemployment benefit to those workers declared redundant since 1967.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit for Redundant Workers.
26.
The rates of unemployment benefit are laid down in the Social Welfare Acts and I have no power to increase them retrospectively or otherwise.
I would remind the Deputy that, as announced in the recent Budget Statement, I propose, with effect from January next, to increase the rates of unemployment benefit and to make a very substantial improvement in the duration of benefit. The personal rate and the allowance for an adult dependant will each be increased by 5/-a week and the duration of benefit will be doubled from six to 12 months. I expect that the necessary legislation to implement these and other social welfare proposals will come before the House at an early date.