asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that in instances where a person has less than 280 contributions over the previous seven years, he may be paid a rate of unemployment benefit which is actually less than that which he would qualify for in unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Unemployment Benefit.
244.
In accordance with the terms of the relevant legislation the rate of unemployment benefit payable to a claimant is reduced after 156 days of benefit, where he does not satisfy the contribution condition of having 280 paid contributions in a seven year period. The reduced rate is equivalent to the short term urban unemployment assistance rate. Arising from the commitment of the Government to assist the long term unemployed, special increases have been awarded to long term unemployment assistance claimants over the past three years with the result that a claimant on the long term unemployment assistance rate receives more than a claimant on the reduced rate of unemployment benefit.
The policy of paying a special higher rate to the long term unemployed is justifiable. This group of claimants, by and large, will have exhausted any redundancy entitlements or other means they may have had on becoming unemployed and require special support. The Commission on Social Welfare has been requested to examine the policy of reducing the rate of unemployment benefit for claimants who fail to satisfy the 280 contribution condition.