asked the Minister for Social Welfare (i) whether ambulance and fire brigade crews employed by local authorities are social insurance contributors, and, if not, why; (ii) what is the legal liability under the Workmen's Compensation Acts of local authorities in connection with injuries suffered by such men on duty; and (iii) whether he proposes to make, or recommend, any change in the present position in these respects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insurance of Ambulance and Fire Brigade Crews.
75.
Members of ambulance and fire brigade crews employed by local authorities are required to be insured under the Social Welfare Acts provided that they are over 16 and under 70 years of age. Where, however, the employment involves only part-time or occasional service as a member of a fire brigade, it is not insurable.
The Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 to 1955, place upon employers, including local authorities, the liability to pay compensation in accordance with the provisions of the Acts to a "workman" as defined in subsection (1) of Section 5 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934, in respect of personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment or disablement through contracting a scheduled industrial disease. In certain circumstances employers are also liable to pay medical or surgical expenses, not exceeding five pounds. Any question as to whether a member of an ambulance or fire brigade crew comes within the provisions of the Acts depends on whether he is a "workman" as defined in the Act.
I do not propose to make or recommend any change in the present position in these respects.
Could the Minister say if the people referred to in part (i) of the question are required to stamp insurance cards?
If they are workmen as defined in subsection (1) of Section 5 of the Workmen's Compensation Acts.
The Minister is aware that quite a number of these people were originally appointed as officers and, therefore, they do not stamp insurance cards at all. That is the point Deputy Booth was trying to get at.
Yes.