asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if former employees of Castlecomer Collieries Limited who are claimants under the Workmen's Compensation Acts will receive the full award due to them in respect of their injuries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Colliery Employees Compensation.
13.
The liquidation of the company is a legal process and until this process is complete it is not possible to say what compensation will be available to the claimants mentioned.
The Minister probably realises as well as I do that there will not be enough funds available to meet all the claims. In view of that are there any proposals to provide funds to compensate these men fully?
As I stated in the reply in view of the fact that the process of liquidation has not, as yet, been completed, the question of what steps will have to be taken to meet commitments if there are not enough funds available would not arise until such time as the legal process has been completed.
Is the Minister aware that an undertaking was given at ministerial level to the effect that all these cases would receive the full amount of compensation?
I am not so aware. "An undertaking given at ministerial level" is rather vague.
Would the Minister ensure that, whatever money is available, these claims will get priority?
All steps are being taken but there is the process of going through the courts as far as liquidation is concerned. Certainly every possible step will be taken to try to speed the finalisation of this particular problem.
That is not the question I asked. I asked whether the Minister would ensure that out of whatever funds are available these claims will get priority?
That is not the original question asked but I shall convey the request of the Deputies to the Minister involved.