asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the hardships borne by workers who break down in health through accidents, tuberculosis or other ailments by reason of the issue of medical certificates stating that they are fit for light work; further, if he is aware that such statement on certificates interferes with the payments of allowances under various schemes and also causes reduced payments under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, whilst at the same time the person concerned is not wanted by employers and cannot secure the light work recommended; and if, in the circumstances, he will introduce proposals for legislation to prevent the issue of such certificates in future and to provide that full payments be granted in every such case until such time as the person is fit for full employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fitness for Work.
Mr. Byrne
Medical certificates issued by medical certifiers to persons claming benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts contain no reference to light work. Occasionally a medical referee may advise that in his opinion a claimant is capable of light work but this does not result in immediate termination of benefit. If and when national health benefit terminates and the claimant is still fit for light work only, it is usually open to him to apply for benefit or assistance under the Unemployment Insurance Acts or the Unemployment Assistance Acts.
In so far as workmen's compensation is concerned, I would refer the Deputy to Section 24 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934, which makes provision for payment of compensation at the full rate in the type of accident case which the Deputy has in mind.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that quite recently in a public board a man broke down in health who had been getting £7 a week and whose pension is now 34/- a week with a certificate of light work? They could not provide light work and nobody else wants him. Could the Minister take steps to see that people who are broken down in health will get the full rate of compensation until such time as they are ready to go back to the work they left and for which they have been specially trained? I have not had any reply from the Minister, as I understand he has been quoting an Act.
The position is already covered.
Mr. Byrne
It is not. I have given the case of a man who was getting £7 a week from a public board, who broke down and who was pensioned off, after 18 years' service, at 34/- a week. He and his wife have been left to continue as best they can on 34/- a week. I am asking whether the Minister is aware that certificates like that do damage to the persons concerned. Such words as "fit for light work" should be withdrawn completely from legislation.
They are not doing damage.