asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will take steps to provide that incapacitated workmen who are in receipt of amounts less than the maximum under the Workmen's Compensation Acts will be entitled to an increased allowance to meet the increased cost of living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Incapacitated Workmen.
Weekly payments under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1906 and 1934, represent a proportion of the pre-accident wages subject to a maximum of 30/- per week up to the 31st May, 1943. This maximum has been increased to 37/6 per week by an Order made by the Government. Under the 1934 Act a workman who is incapacitated for more than six months and who is in receipt of less than the maximum compensation may have his payment increased by the Circuit Court, if it is proved that his wages would have been increased by 20 per cent. if he had not been injured. In view of the foregoing provision, which enables a general rise in wages in the workman's occupation to be reflected in his compensation, I am not prepared to consider a further increase in weekly payments under the 1934 Act. Workmen who were injured prior to the 1st August, 1934, come under the 1906 Act and are not entitled to go to court for a revision of their compensation. The question of increasing weekly payments for this class of injured workmen is under consideration.