asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce legislation to amend section 35 of the Social Welfare Act, 1952, to provide that insured persons' eligibility for unemployment benefit will not be affected by the failure of employers to stamp insurance cards, especially where arrears of contributions are paid to the Department by the employer concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unstamped Social Insurance Cards.
35.
Amendment of this section could not achieve the end which the Deputy desires. I should mention, however, that I propose at the first opportunity to take the necessary power, by way of amending legislation, to ensure that no insured person, who is himself blameless in the matter, will lose benefit solely by reason of an employer's failure or neglect to pay employment contributions due. In the meantime an amendment which I am making in existing statutory regulations governing the payment and crediting of social insurance contributions will very greatly reduce the number of cases in which loss of benefit can arise due to employers' failure to stamp insurance cards.
Would the Minister say if there is a difference between entitlement under this and the entitlement which occurs under occupational injuries where it has been found possible to pay benefit whether or not the employer stamps the card?
There is quite a difference.
There is no difference. The Minister knows quite well there is no difference.
36.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has received any complaints concerning the alleged failure of a company (name supplied) in Fermoy, County Cork, to stamp social insurance cards; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
My Department received such a complaint in July last, but it had already, in February, 1970, claimed payment of the arrears of social insurance contributions due, as a preferential debt, from the receiver who had been appointed to wind up the affairs of the company. However, due to legal and other difficulties, all the assets of the company have not yet been realised and until this has been done the claim cannot be met.
What happens to the employees?
They are being dealt with as other people in similar circumstances.