asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been called to the case of John Kavanagh, Skirteen, Monasterevan, lately a cooper in Cassidy's Brewery, who went on unemployment benefit in May, 1922, and who has ceased to be a recipient of the benefit, although he contributed weekly from the introduction of the Act.

John Kavanagh, of Skirteen, Monasterevan, made claims to Unemployment Benefit on five occasions since the beginning of January, 1922. In respect of the first four of those claims he has been paid benefit at the appropriate rate for 417 days. It has not been possible to allow benefit on the fifth claim made on the 18th October last, because the applicant is disqualified by Sub-Section 4 of Section 8 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, inasmuch as no contribution was paid for him in the 1922-23 insurance year, or since. That disqualification will last until not less than 12 contributions have been paid for the applicant under the Acts, exclusive of those paid for him prior to the 1922-23 insurance year.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the Minister for Industry and Commerce if twelve stamps are forthcoming will Kavanagh be entitled to this benefit then?

Yes; that is contained in the answer, "that disqualification will last until not less than twelve contributions have been paid for the applicant under the Acts, exclusive of those paid for him prior to 1922-23 insurance year." He will then be in benefit.

His disqualification will be removed?

Yes.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask if there are not thousands of people in a like plight, and if it is proposed to introduce any legislation to remove the disqualification that the Deputy has referred to in the case of Kavanagh?

Not at the moment.