The Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966, was brought into operation on 1 May 1967. Under the new scheme, which was introduced to replace the earlier Work-men's Compensation Scheme, benefits are payable to people in insurable occupational injuries employment on or after 1 May, 1967, who suffer an occupational accident or disease. Accordingly, miners who ceased to be employed prior to 1 May 1967 are not included within the scope of the scheme.
While the 1966 Act repealed the Workmen's Compensation Act, the provisions of those Acts were continued so as to apply in cases where a right to compensation arose in respect of employment prior to 1 May 1967.
I have no proposals at present to amend the relevant legislation to extend the scope of the existing scheme to include miners who ceased employment prior to 1 May, 1967. I will, at the Deputy's request and that of Deputy Michael Ferris, be meeting a deputation on the matter on 9 November 1995.