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Dáil Éireann - Volume 65 - 10 March, 1937 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relief Work in Connemara. Mr. Brodrick Mr. Brodrick Mr. Brodrick asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that men in South Connemara are obliged to walk ten and 12 miles each way daily in order to receive work on relief schemes, and that this is an unreasonable hardship, involving the equivalent of a 14 and 16 hours' day; and if he will take steps to provide work at more convenient centres, and also if he will consider amending the Unemployment Assistance Act so that men who are not able to secure employment within five miles of their homes would be eligible for unemployment assistance. Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass) Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass) 1400 Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass): The Department of Industry and Commerce has no responsibility for fixing the areas of recruitment of workers for employment on relief schemes; it is the function of the employing authorities to specify the recruitment area so that workmen residing therein may be offered employment. I have, however, been [1400] informed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance that he is not aware of any cases of the nature referred to in the Deputy's question but he will cause enquiries to be made if specific cases are cited. I do not propose to consider amendment of the Unemployment Assistance Acts in the sense suggested by the Deputy. Applicants for unemployment assistance are not disqualified from receiving it by reason only of their refusal to accept employment which is not suitable for them having regard to their age, sex, physique, education, normal occupation, place of residence and family circumstances. The distance at which work becomes unsuitable for any person would depend partly on his personal circumstances and partly on other factors such as means of transport, etc. All the circumstances are taken into account. It would not be practicable—nor is it necessary — to prescribe statutory limits of distance as suggested by the Deputy. Mr. Brodrick Mr. Brodrick Mr. Brodrick: The Minister refers to the employment authorities. Would he not make representations to them to bring down the limit from ten or 12 miles to, say, five miles? Is it not a great injustice to have men travelling ten or 12 miles for work? I have also been informed that they are deprived of unemployment assistance when they do not accept this work 12 miles from their homes. Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: I have informed the Deputy that the Government are not aware of any such cases. If particular cases are cited, inquiries will be made. Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey: Is the Minister aware that if an unemployed person refuses work, no matter how great the distance from his home, his benefit is immediately suspended? Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: I am not aware of that, nor is it correct. Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey: Or he may have to wait six, eight or ten weeks before a decision is given on the matter? Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: That statement is not correct. Mr. Davin Mr. Davin 1401 [1401] Mr. Davin: It is correct. Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey: I can give hundreds of instances. I can give the Minister the names and addresses. Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: I repeat that that statement is not correct. Mr. Norton Mr. Norton Mr. Norton: The Minister's statement is untrue. Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey Mr. Morrissey: The Minister knows nothing about it. Dáil Éireann 65 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Relief Work in Connemara. Questions 19370310
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