§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial aid package will be provided by the Government to the fishermen on the County Down coast as a consequence of the inclement weather combined with the effect of the social security regulations introduced on 10 December 1989.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 19 February 1990]: Social security legislation provides for the payment of unemployment benefit in respect of weeks throughout which fishermen are unable to work because of inclement weather. Where fishermen are able to work only on certain days of a week, unemployment benefit is payable for the remaining days provided that the earnings for that week do not equal or exceed the lower earnings level for national insurance contribution liability. This is currently £43 a week. Income support may also be available to fishermen who work for less than 24 hours a week subject to the normal rules regarding income and capital.
While I would sympathise with the difficulties caused by the recent adverse weather the Government have no plans to introduce special assistance for fishermen on the County Down coast.