Robert Molloy
Question:85 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total amount paid under the EC Equal Treatment Directive since June 1992. [13643/95]
Written Answers. - Equal Treatment Directive Payments.
The total amount of payments made to date in respect of equal treatment arrears is approximately £192 million. These include payments of £33 million made under the European Communities (Social Welfare) Regulations 1992 (S.I. No. 152 of 1992) introduced in June 1992; payments of £15.7 million made on foot of pre-July 1992 Court Proceedings; payments of £143.5 million made on foot of the High Court judgement earlier this year; and payments under other settlement agreements.
In accordance with the commitment given by me last March, and with the exception of approximately 150 women, all women to whom payments are due have now received payments on account. Between now and the end of this year a further £56.5 million will be paid. The balance of approximately £60 million will be paid between January 1996 and mid 1997. Approximately 6,000 new claims have also been received, some of which are valid claims and are being processed as quickly as possible.