asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused to many employees working part time in the hotel industry, due to the recent increase in the number of A1 contributions to 39 necessary to attain eligibility for unemployment benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hotel Workers' Unemployment Benefit Eligibility.
18.
Part time workers who work for less than 18 hours a week and are not mainly dependent on their earnings from part time employment are not covered by the social insurance system for unemployment benefit. If the employment is for more than 18 hours a week it is fully insurable.
To qualify for unemployment benefit a person must now have at least 39 contributions paid and 39 paid or credited in the governing contribution year. Prior to April 1987 the requirement was 26 and the increase, which was included in the budget of the previous Government, was designed to ensure that scarce resources are directed to those in greatest need.
I have had representations on behalf of certain employees working part time in the hotel industry who were able, in previous years, to maintain their entitlement to unemployment benefit by virtue of having 26 weeks of fully insurable employment during the summer season, but who do not qualify for benefit under the revised conditions. I am at present examining the whole position of part-time workers vis-à-vis social insurance coverage with a view to seeing how they might be provided for within the system while ensuring that entitlement to benefits is not obtained on the basis of minimal contributions to the system. This, however is a complex area and one where there could be considerable financial implications depending on the course of action which is taken.