Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 8

Written Answers. - Work Accident Costs.

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

166 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he is concerned at the number of accidents which occur at work; the cost to employment liability insurance; and the effect this is having on employment recruitment levels. [17828/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I am concerned at the number of accidents which take place in Irish industry. According to the Health and Safety Authority there are many sectors of employment in this country in which the rates of injury, death and illness are well above the national level. In this regard, one of the principal functions of the Health and Safety Authority is to encourage and foster activities and measures which are directed towards the promotion of safety, health and welfare of persons at work. However, health and safety standards will not be raised solely through enforcement activities. Industry itself has a legal and moral responsibility to manage and control risk in the workplace.

The cost of employers' liability insurance in this country is dictated primarily by the frequency of accidents and the cost of claims incurred. Clearly, there is an onus on employers to instigate and maintain health and safety procedures in their own interest.

As previously indicated to this House, I have commissioned a detailed economic evaluation of insurance costs in Ireland to identify, among other things, the economic consequences of the relatively high level of insurance costs in Ireland including the effect on competitiveness and employment. When this evaluation has been completed, my Department will bring forward measures in conjunction, where appropriate, with other Departments aimed at reducing the burden of insurance costs on the economy. This should lead to an improvement in competitiveness with favourable consequences for employment recruitment and maintenance.