Vol. 441 No. 3
124 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present position regarding national funds for occupational injuries; the eligibility requirements; and if there is any similar European Union fund for occupational injuries.
Insurance cover for occupational injuries and diseases is provided under the social insurance system. This cover includes benefits for short term incapacity for work arising out of an occupational accident or disease and payments in respect of disablement or loss of faculty, payment in respect of medical care arising from the accident or disease and survivor's benefits.
Occupational injuries benefits are financed out of the social insurance fund and the employers' contribution rate of 12.2 per cent includes 0.5 per cent in respect of occupational injuries.
There is no European Union fund for occupational injuries. However, all member states have social security schemes which provide benefit cover in respect of accidents at work and occupational diseases.
