asked the Minister for Local Government what compensation is payable to a part-time member of a fire brigade for injuries received in the course of fire-fighting.
22.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Injuries to Fire Brigade Personnel.
21.
asked the Minister for Local Government if fire brigade crews, full-time or part-time, are insured by the fire brigade authorities against slight, serious, or permanent injury or against loss of life if such should occur in the course of their fire-fighting duties.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
In common with other local authority employees, the conditions of employment of fire brigade personnel, other than officers, including the question of compensation for injuries received in the course of fire fighting, is a matter between the employees and the employing local authorities. From information available in my Department it appears that most local authorities have insurance cover which provides for the payment of compensation where fire brigade personnel suffer death or injury in the discharge of their duties. The amount of the compensation payable in any case depends on the terms of the particular insurance policy.
Local authorities are also empowered by section 52 of the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1956 to award a gratuity or allowance to an officer or servant who is injured without his own default in the actual discharge of his duty by some injury directly attributable to the nature of his duty, or to his dependants where the injury results in his death.