asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that workers in receipt of workmen's compensation are suffering hardship due to the inadequacy of the maximum weekly payments to meet the present cost of living and that many of these workers with large families are compelled to exist on 50/- per week for a number of years before any settlement is made, and in a large number of cases are compelled to exist on this amount for life; and, if so, he will now introduce proposals for legislation to remedy this unsatisfactory position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Workmen's Compensation Payments.
Pending establishment of the co-ordinated system of social insurance provided for in the Bill at present before the House I do not intend to introduce proposals for the amendment of the Workmen's Compensation Acts.
That is a rather unsatisfactory answer to the question. Would the Parliamentary Secretary do something for these men as indicated in the question? Some of them are idle for the last four or five years and must depend on a few shillings a week.
The whole matter is under consideration.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether, since his Government came into office, he or his Minister met representatives of one of the biggest trade unions in the country and gave them assurances that there would be an amendment of the Workmen's Compensation Act?
That is a separate question.
The Parliamentary Secretary does not know.
I do know.