asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that widespread dissatisfaction exists among agricultural employers owing to the refusal of insurance companies to cover risks of such employers under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and if he will take steps to investigate this matter with a view to having the position remedied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Workers' Insurance.
I have had no recent complaints that insurance companies are refusing to cover the risk of agricultural employers under the Workmen's Compensation Act. In any event, I have no power which would enable me to oblige an insurance company to accept any particular proposal for insurance cover.
If it is brought to the Minister's notice that certain insurance companies have refused to cover agricultural employers, will the Minister consider the desirability of introducing legislation to rectify the matter? Does he not consider it absolutely unjust that a farmer should be expected to accept full liability for accidents to men in his employment without the possibility of securing cover?
I think it would be a very serious step to take to compel an insurance company to cover an employer who is regarded by them as a bad risk. I think legislation has to go much further than that. The matter of permission in that regard is now one for the Minister for Social Welfare. It may be some proposals relating to workmen's compensation will be submitted to the Dáil, but the difficulty which the Deputy has in mind could not be remedied as simply as he suggests.
Will the Minister not consider the advisability of having the whole matter investigated?
There is no case for investigation. It is possible the insurance company will refuse to accept what they regard as a bad risk. If experience has shown that a particular employer is a bad risk, they may refuse to insure him and there is no power to compel the insurance company to do so. The effects of the workmen's compensation legislation are much wider, and if they are to be remedied, something more than that will have to be done.