asked the Minister for Social Welfare (a) when the wet-time fund was introduced and the amount of money now in the fund, (b) the amount paid out to recipients in the years 1972, 1973 and 1974 and (c) if he will raise the benefit now being paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wet-time Fund.
16.
The following is the information required by the Deputy: (a) The wet-time insurance fund was set up on 5th April, 1943, under the provisions of the Insurance (Intermittent Unemployment) Act, 1942. The balance now in the fund is approximately £804,000. (b) The amount of benefit paid to employers from the fund during the years 1972, 1973 and 1974 was £284,000, £302,000 and £507,000 respectively. (c) The question of increasing benefit rates is under examination. I should add that this question was lodged some weeks ago and was not reached. In fact the rates have been revised upward and the details have been published in the past week or so.