Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Nov 1994

Vol. 447 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Employee Insurance.

Enda Kenny

Question:

155 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment in the case of FAS employees who are injured during the course of their work, the arrangements, if any, that are made to enable the same level of income to be made available to such employees while recovering, in view of their participation in job activities in the first instance; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many such applicants who receive injuries are at an average loss of £30 per week; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3170/94]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I take it that the Deputy is referring to participants on community employment who are injured in the course of such participation.

While sick leave policy in respect of participation on community employment is a matter for each individual sponsor, under the programme, FAS can reimburse sponsors in respect of up to seven days certified sick leave per participant in any 52 week period. In addition, sponsors are required to take out Employer Liability Insurance in respect of their participants and a claim may be pursued under this policy.

As is the case with regular employment, participants who suffer injury while participating on community employment are eligible to claim Occupational injuries benefit from the Department of Social Welfare.

Noel Ahern

Question:

156 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the position in relation to the obligations of employers to have employee insurance, particularly for the building trade. [3225/94]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

Many enterprises across the spectrum of Irish business, including firms in the building industry, have decided to obtain insurance cover in respect of their employees. There is, however, no statutory requirement on any enterprise, whether in the building industry or any other industry, to maintain employers' liability insurance cover.

The Programme for Competitiveness and work stated that the Government is committed to examining the problems created by the absence of employers' liability insurance cover and consultations with the social partners are ongoing in this regard.

For the information of the Deputy the social welfare system includes schemes which provide benefits for people injured at work. Queries regarding such schemes are proper to the Minister for Social Welfare.