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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Apr 1988

Vol. 379 No. 9

Written Answers. - Allowances for Unemployed Athletes.

11.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any allowances will be paid to unemployed athletes chosen to represent Ireland in the Olympic Games in Korea this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In view of the imminence of the Olympic Games I have given detailed consideration to the possibility of continuing unemployment payments to qualified unemployed persons who are chosen to represent Ireland at the games.

In normal circumstances unemployed persons who go abroad would not be entitled to receive payment of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance. However, I have always adopted a flexible approach in relation to entitlement to unemployment payments generally. Claimants can participate in various activities without affecting their entitlements so long as they continue to be in the labour market and continue to be available for and genuinely seeking work. Examples of those activities are participation in part time education courses and voluntary work projects. Claimants are also allowed to take two weeks holidays in the year without affecting their entitlements.

In the context of this general flexible approach I have concluded that unemployed athletes chosen to represent Ireland in the Olympic Games should be accommodated within the unemployment payments schemes for the period spent abroad in connection with the games.

Such persons would, no doubt, have put a lot of time and effort into training in reaching the qualifying standard to compete in the games and I would not wish my Department to act as a stumbling block by disallowing their payments while participating.

I can, therefore, inform the Deputy that where an unemployed person, who is already in receipt of an unemployment payment, is chosen to represent Ireland in the forthcoming Olympic Games, arrangements will be made on receipt of an application in good time for the continuation of his or her payment for the period of participation in the games. Verification of his or her participation in the games from the relevant sporting authority would, of course be required.

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