asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether in view of the fact that examination of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission on Workmen's Compensation and the making of any decision on these recommendations is likely to take some considerable time, and that both wages and the cost of living have risen considerably since 1955, he will, as an interim measure, introduce legislation to raise the maximum level of workmen's compensation from the present figure of £4 10s. Od. per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Workmen's Compensation.
62.
As indicated in reply to a question by the Deputy on the 7th of June, the Report of the Commission on Workmen's Comprensation is at present under examination and until this examination is completed, it is not proposed to take steps for the introduction of legislation for the purposes suggested. As I intimated on that occasion in reply to a supplementary question by Deputy Norton, this Report was a considerable time in preparation and now that it is available, it would, in my view, be a mistake to embark on a piecemeal revision of the workmen's compensation code.
Could the Minister say approximately how long examination of this report will take?
I cannot say. It is being examined in my Department and in other Departments. It is under active examination. I hope that examination will conclude in a few months' time. If it is decided that changes are needed, it would then be necessary to bring in proposals and I could not hope to have any such proposals before early next year.
Will the Minister not admit that, from what he said, it is possible that new legislation in connection with workmen's compensation may not be introduced for approximately 12 months? Does he still consider it fair that the maximum workman's compensation payable should remain at £4 10s. per week, the figure at which it was fixed approximately seven years ago?
There is a very long report, in fact, a majority and minority report, each containing a big number of suggestions or reservations, and obviously many decisions must be taken. It would be silly to bring in any hurried legislation now which would obviously involve upward revision of insurance premiums when eventual decisions that may be taken will affect the scheme or are likely to affect it in a fundamental way.
Surely the Minister will appreciate that all these problems of which he speaks existed in 1955 and he will also remember that at that time, while a commission was set up to report on these problems, the Government realised that workmen's compensation needed to be increased and increased it with a very short Bill. May I, therefore, respectfully suggest to the Minister and the Government that they should do what is obviously needed and bring in this short Bill to increase the maximum payable because these people are being done an injustice, in view of the fact that practically all sections of the community have received increases— many, in some cases—since 1955?
It is true that a commission was set up at that time but the difference is that we now have the Commission's report available and it is surely reasonable that we should study that report and make comprehensive decisions as to what changes are needed.
Having the report is no consolation to a man on £4 10s. for life.
I cannot help it if the report is 500 pages long.