Dáil Éireann - Volume 101 - 28 May, 1946

Committee on Finance. - Vote 59—Unemployment Insurance and Unemployment Assistance.

Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass

Mr. Lemass: I move:—

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That a sum not exceeding £667,250 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which [1018] will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1947, for Salaries and Expenses in connection with Unemployment Insurance and Employment Exchanges (including Contributions to the Unemployment Fund), Unemployment Assistance, the Special Register of Agricultural and Turf Workers, Insurance Against Intermittent Unemployment, for certain services in connection with Food Allowances and for Expenses in connection with the provision of Labour for Harvest Work (9 Edw. 7, c. 7; 10 and 11 Geo. 5, c. 30; 11 Geo. 5, c. 1; 11 and 12 Geo. 5, c. 15; 12 Geo. 5, c. 7; No. 17 of 1923; Nos. 26 and 59 of 1924; No. 21 of 1926; No. 33 of 1930; Nos. 44 and 46 of 1933; No. 38 of 1935; No. 2 of 1938; No. 28 of 1939; No. 4 of 1940; No. 3 of 1941; No. 7 of 1942; No. 20 of 1943; and No. 23 of 1945).

Mr. Byrne Mr. Byrne

Mr. Byrne: Could the Minister tell us if there has been any improvement in the relations between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and ourselves regarding reciprocity for men who have stamps to their credit in Great Britain and Northern Ireland? I had a letter which I read out to-day in which a soldier complains that he is entitled neither to unemployment insurance nor to unemployment assistance when he becomes unemployed in this country. I want to know what is to be done in a case like that. I also had a number of letters from Great Britain following an article which appeared in one of the English newspapers on the 6th May. A number of men who may be coming home are anxious to know what is their position in regard to the stamps which they have to their credit for the last five years in Great Britain. Can anything be done in the way of getting some contribution from Great Britain in respect of the five years' stamps which these men have to their credit in Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass

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Mr. Lemass: The Deputy is not unaware that a statement on this matter was made on behalf of the British Government in the British Parliament. They announced their [1019] intention of putting to the Government here certain proposals concerning British ex-soldiers to ensure the payment to them of British unemployment insurance benefit. They also indicated that these proposals would not cover ordinary civilian workers. The matter, however, has not been definitely concluded.

Mr. Byrne Mr. Byrne

Mr. Byrne: Is it not possible for our Government to get some contribution to cover the value of the stamps that have been purchased in respect of these men in Great Britain and to make some token payment to the insurance funds that will entitle our men to benefit when they come home?

Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass

Mr. Lemass: This matter has been the subject of representations to the British Government for some time. The indications are that the British Government decision will be not to adopt any such arrangement in relation to civilian workers employed in Britain. A number of alternative methods of handling that situation have been suggested from this side and if they are willing to agree in principle, something might be done.

Mr. Byrne Mr. Byrne

Mr. Byrne: The matter is still in hands?

Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass

Mr. Lemass: Yes.

Vote put and agreed to.

Dáil Éireann 101 Committee on Finance. Vote 59—Unemployment Insurance and Unemployment Assistance.

General Debate

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