asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware of the grave hardship at present imposed on members of the Taca Síochána by reason of their not receiving any payment during periods of illness; and, if so, if he will take steps to see that they are granted a certain amount of sick leave with pay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sick Pay in Taca Síochána
All members of the Taca Síochána come under the provisions of the National Health Insurance Acts and are to that extent covered against hardship arising out of illness. The question of whether the benefits payable under those Acts should be supplemented, and, if so, to what extent, in the particular case of temporary police officers, is at present under discussion between my Department and the Department of Finance. In the meantime, full pay has been issued in every case which has come to notice in which the incapacity arose from injuries received in the course of duty.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that most of these men came into the force after, perhaps, several years of unemployment and that they had not National Health Insurance cards; that even now they are not eligible for benefit as they have not yet six months' service?
Mr. Boland
I am not aware that they came into the force after years of unemployment. I know that most of them are very healthy young men and that they had to submit to a very rigorous medical test before they were admitted to the force.
Mr. Byrne
Very healthy young men are liable to illness.
Does the Minister realise that there is a real hardship? If these men have not sufficient stamps on their cards to make them eligible for benefit, what are they to do? Are they to starve?
Mr. Boland
If the Deputy had listened to the answer he would have heard that the matter was under discussion.
That means that you are going to do something?
Mr. Boland
I am not sure.
You have a soft heart.
Will the Minister take steps to ensure that members of the force referred to will not suffer the ignominy during a period of illness of being supposed to be on outdoor relief?