asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that there are at present in this State workmen who were injured in Great Britain, and who in the ordinary course would be entitled to compensation in respect of that injury, but who now are unable to obtain this compensation because of the operation of Section 16 of the British Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925; and if any attempt is being made by his Department by convention or otherwise to alleviate the existing hardship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Workers Injured in Britain.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Irish workers in Great Britain, in receipt of payments under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, consequent on injury and disability, do not receive such payments in the event of their return to this country, and whether he will make representations to the British Government in favour of the amendment of the law in this matter.
I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together. Workmen who are otherwise eligible for weekly compensation under the British Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, are debarred by Section 16 of that statute from receiving compensation if they cease to reside in Great Britain unless the injury in respect of which compensation is being paid is likely to be of a permanent nature. If the injury is certified by a medical referee to be of a permanent nature a workman may continue to receive compensation while residing outside Great Britain provided he fulfils certain conditions. In view of the effect of British legislation in this matter in relation to Irish workers proceeding to temporary employment in that country, I considered it desirable to make arrangements, which have been in operation for some time past, under which workmen who are granted travel permits have been furnished with a notice explaining the position under British law as to payment of workmen's compensation should they return to Ireland.
Negotiations are in progress with the appropriate authorities in Great Britain with a view to enabling weekly payment of workmen's compensation in respect of temporary incapacity to be continued, should the workman cease to reside in Great Britain. I am not in a position, however, to indicate when the result of these negotiations will be known.
Will the Minister endeavour to have some arrangement made which will lead to expedition in dealing with these cases? In my limited area, I know at least five people who, for the past couple of months, have been denied the payment of workmen's compensation because of the provision that they must get a certificate from the referee doctor in Great Britain. Will the Minister endeavour to bring about some arrangement which will lead to expedition in these cases because of the hardship that is being caused to the individuals concerned?
Is the Minister aware that a number of those workers who have to come back from England because of the fact that they are suffering from injuries are, at the moment, actually in receipt of home assistance which is now their only means of livelihood?
I am fully aware of the hardship imposed on Irish workers by reason of this provision in British law. The reason why that provision was inserted in the law when passed in 1925 will be obvious. I have represented to the British Government that present circumstances are abnormal in so far as workers are proceeding there for temporary employment who may not be permitted, under the British regulations, to remain there, and, consequently, to continue to receive the compensation which their injuries would entitle them to have. I cannot say that it is possible to expedite negotiations in the matter, nor can I indicate what the results of the negotiations are likely to be, but I can inform the Dáil that we have made representations on these lines to the British authorities.
Mr. Larkin
Has the Minister done anything about appointing representatives to look after these workers in Great Britain or the Six Counties?
We have.
Mr. Larkin
You have only one. Many of those migratory workers, subject to accident and even death, have no effective way of making claims and in different areas there is nobody to sustain or advise them. Is it not full time that the Minister sent some one there, even to exercise some vigilance over the women workers, who are running adrift in every county?
The Deputy's statement is completely without foundation. There is adequate representation of Irish workers' interests in Great Britain.
Mr. Larkin
I say that the statement is correct—I have been there to examine into the existing conditions.