Vol. 451 No. 8
222 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost to the Exchequer and State agencies of public liability insurance premia and claims paid from the Exchequer for the last year for which figures are available; the plans, if any he has to reduce this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7391/95]
Public liability and employer's liability premia are not normally paid by Government Departments as it is usual for the Exchequer to carry its own insurance. However, it was considered prudent to arrange such cover for the students' summer jobs scheme in 1994 at a cost of £91,000 for the 9,000 students who participated. The cost to the Exchequer in 1994 of settling claims by public and staff for compensation against the Department was £26,000.
The cost in 1994 of public liability and employer's liability insurance premia for the two small State agencies under the aegis of my Department was £352.
A Health and Safety Committee operates within the Department. It seeks to identify hazards in the Department's workplaces, to advise on how the risk from hazards might be minimised and to promote the fullest awareness of health and safety throughout the Department.
