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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

70 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance availing of holiday payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10633/95]

Social welfare legislation provides that unemployed persons may take up to two weeks holidays in each calendar year and continue to get their unemployment payment.

To receive these payments, people must apply at their local social welfare office at least two weeks before going on holidays and payment is made on return.
Statistics are not maintained on an ongoing basis in relation to the number of people availing of this provision. However, based on a sample survey for the week ending 9 June 1995 the total number of people currently in receipt of unemployment payments, availing of these special holiday arrangements, is approximately 2,000, i.e. 800 unemployment benefit recipients and 1,200 recipients of unemployment assistance.
It is estimated that some 21,000 people have availed of this provision during the past 12 months.
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