asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has power under the Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966 to make provision for the rendering of medical first aid to seriously injured workmen before removal to hospital.
47.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Occupational Injuries.
45.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has power under the Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966 to arrange for the removal of injured workmen to hospital, at the expense of the Occupational Injuries Fund, where urgent hospital treatment is needed following an accident.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 45 and 47 together.
I have no power under the Act to arrange for the removal of injured workmen to hospital or to make provision for the rendering of medical first aid. The cost of medical care reasonably and necessarily incurred for which an injured workman is liable may, however, be recouped from the Occupational Injuries Fund, and the term "medical care" is interpreted as covering removal by ambulance to hospital following an accident as well as medical attention before removal to hospital.
46.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when it is proposed to make regulations under the Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966, to enable injured workmen to recover the cost of transport for medical or hospital treatment from the occupational injuries fund.
Following legal advice that the interpretation of the term "medical care" in the relevant section of the Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966, would unduly restrict payment of the cost of transport, I have had the matter under examination in my Department and I am taking steps to make a regulation at an early date which will enable a more liberal attitude to be taken to claims for expenses necessarily incurred in travelling to receive medical care.
48.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is the practice to send applicants for injury benefit a form on which to make application for medical expenses; and if he is satisfied that the medical care provisions of the Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966, are operating in a satisfactory manner.
It is the practice to inform claimants to injury benefit that the cost of any medical care for which they may be liable as a result of occupational injury may be recouped. They are advised as to the manner in which such claims may be made and a claim form is issued on request.
I have no reason to think that the medical care provisions of the Act are not operating in a satisfactory manner.
49.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of benefit paid for the period ended 30th September, 1967, under the Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966, in respect of injuries benefit and supplement, disablement benefit and supplement, unemployability benefit, constant attendance benefit, benefit during hospital treatment, death benefit for widows, death benefit for children, other death benefit, funeral expenses, medical care, supplement to workman's compensation, approved hospital treatment and rehabilitation.
The information is not classified under the precise headings listed by the Deputy. I propose, with your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report a table giving the expenditure under the available headings.
Following is the table:
Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966.
|
Benefit |
Expenditure in the period 1st May, 1967 to 30th September, 1967 |
|
£ |
|
|
Injury Benefit (including increases for dependants) |
69,047 |
|
Disablement Benefit—Pension (including Unemployability Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance and Hospital Treatment Allowance and increases for dependants). |
34 |
|
Disablement Benefit—Gratuity |
96 |
|
Death Benefit (including widow's pension, widower's pension and gratuity, increases for children, parent's pension, orphan's pension and funeral grant). |
*750 |
|
Medical Care |
439 |
|
Supplement to Workmen's Compensation (including Unemployability Supplement and increases for dependants and Constant Attendance Allowance). |
77,935 |
No contribution for Rehabilitation services was made during the period ended 30th September, 1967.
* Provisional pending ascertainment of Post Office encashments of widow's and orphan's pension orders in quarter ended 30th September, 1967.