asked the Minister for Social Welfare if persons employed by Butlins during the summer season have the required number of stamps paid to qualify them for benefit; and if so, why their benefit has not been paid.

Only one of the persons referred to in the question failed to satisfy the contribution conditions for entitlement to unemployment benefits.

In addition to satisfying the contribution conditions, however, claimants to unemployment benefit must also satisfy the condition that they are available for employment. A number of these claimants had their claims for benefit disallowed under the latter condition on the ground that they were not available for employment other than as seasonal workers with Butlins in Mosney, County Meath. They were notified of their right to appeal against these decisions and of 19 who did so all but three had their claims allowed by Appeals Officers following oral hearings of their cases. Benefit has been paid to all those whose claims were successful.