asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that five men formerly employed at the Avoca mines contracted silicosis arising from their employment; if these men are covered by the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act; and, if not, if he will take steps to have them so covered or to have equivalent compensation paid to them by the State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation for Avoca Mine Workers.
28.
A number of workers who were employed at Avoca Mines and who have been certified as suffering from silicosis are in receipt of disability benefit under the Social Welfare Acts. Silicosis contracted in operations connected with copper mining is not a scheduled disease under the Workmen's Compensation Acts but the question of revising the schedule of industrial diseases will be considered in connection with amending legislation.
Will the Minister say if he has in mind any provision in connection with cases like that, where the employer is not insured or liable under existing legislation, and the workman recovers against him, notwithstanding that the employer subsequently becomes insolvent? Does the Minister consider making any provision to enable the insured workman to continue to receive compensation from some other source, in the event of the employer becoming insolvent?
Such cases are covered by disability benefit. If these people are insured workers, they are eligible for disability benefit under the Social Welfare Acts.