asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of days lost through occupational injury or occupational disease in 1987 and 1988.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Work Days Lost.
7.
Statistics are not maintained in my Department of the numbers of working days lost as a result of occupational accidents or occupational diseases. Injury benefit under the occupational injuries scheme in respect of accident at work or occupational disease is payable for a maximum period of 26 weeks following which the claimant may qualify for disablement benefit where the person suffers a loss of faculty. Injury benefit, however, is not payable for sick absences of less than four working days.
Based on the numbers and average duration of claims allowed, the total numbers of working days for which benefit was paid in respect of incapacity or disablement arising from accidents at work or prescribed occupational diseases are estimated at approximately 1.069 millions and 1.021 millions for 1987 and 1988 respectively.