asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that part-time school bus drivers, whose employment is terminated during each school vacation, have in the current year been disallowed for unemployment benefit during a portion of the summer vacation, because of the cesser pay given to them at the start of the vacation; and if he will take steps to remedy this situation.
Written Answers. - School Bus Drivers.
86.
The part-time school bus drivers whose claims for unemployment benefit were disallowed for a portion of the summer vacation were disallowed in respect of periods of paid annual leave. They have appealed against the decisions in their cases. The appeals officer requested that further inquiries be made into the matter. These inquiries have now been completed and the matter has been referred back to the appeals officer. It is expected that a decision will be given in the near future. As the Deputy will be aware appeals officers are independent in the exercise of their statutory duties and I am not empowered to interefere with their decisions.