asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the very long period during which there has been no increase in the maximum payment of £4 10s 0d a week in respect of workmen's compensation, he will increase this maximum immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Workmen's Compensation.
136.
The maximum weekly payment of workmen's compensation to which the Deputy refers is that laid down in the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 to 1955.
The Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966, provides for repeal of those Acts and the payment of new social insurance benefits in relation to occupational accidents and diseases occurring after the date on which that Act is brought into operation. The Act also includes provision for the payment of certain supplements to existing recipients of weekly payments of workmen's compensation and, as was explained in the debates preceding the Act, it is also intended, on commencement of the new scheme, to modify the existing regulations which prohibit payment of disability benefit with workmen's compensation except in so far as the benefit exceeds the compensation, so as to permit concurrent payment of both benefit and compensation in all such cases.
It is not, therefore, proposed to introduce legislation to amend the Workmen's Compensation Acts.
Could the Minister say when it is proposed to bring the new Act into operation?
The target date is the 1st April.
Does the Minister appreciate that if it is intended to bring it into operation on the 1st April it is now necessary to notify employers about the date because they will be making their arrangements — many have already made them — to insure under the Workmen's Compensation Acts with private insurers? Would the Minister say if any steps whatever will be taken to ensure that this will be done?
I could not say. I shall make inquiries.
I am making the inquiry because if it has not been done, or if it is not done, the statement that the Act is being brought into operation on the 1st April is a lot of cod. The Minister will know that if he checks with his Department.
April 1st is the projected date and I am sure that the Department will take such measures as are necessary to inform those concerned.
They have not done so.
I am sure they will.