asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if the insurance agents displaced as redundant under the amalgamation scheme carried through under the Insurance Act, 1936, have yet received their compensation; and, if not, how many claims are still outstanding and how many claims for compensation have been made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation of Insurance Agents.
It is provided in Clause III (vii) (f) of the agreement scheduled to the Insurance (Amendment) Act, 1938, that "no person shall be dismissed solely on the ground of redundancy". All the employees entitled to receive compensation in accordance with the provisions of the scheduled agreement have, I understand, received their compensation.
If I direct the attention of the Minister to an individual who believes himself to have been discharged for redundancy and who has not yet been afforded an opportunity of presenting his case for compensation to an arbitrator, will he take the necessary steps to provide the applicant with the appropriate facilities?
That is a matter between the individual and the company and his redress is in the courts. The Act prohibits the company from dismissing any person for redundancy. I do not believe that there is any such person as the Deputy refers to but, if somebody thinks he is entitled to compensation which he has not got, his redress is by initiating legal proceedings. The company have informed me that no claim made against them in this connection remains unsettled.
The Minister will appreciate that the process of commencing legal proceedings in the courts by way of mandamus or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of the statute, may be very expensive and may not be available to a man in very modest circumstances. Is there any machinery whereby such an individual can get the Minister's Department to act on his behalf in the event of his being unable to take the necessary legal proceedings contemplated by the Act?
I am sure that the company will consider any question brought to their attention.
If they do not, may he establish contact with the Minister's Department with a view to seeking advice as to his course of action?
If the company do not admit liability, I do not intend to make it pay.