I welcome the Minister's decision to introduce the amending regulation under subsections 4 and 5 of section 4 of the 1952 Act. As one of the Deputies who made direct representations to the Minister and his Department in this matter, I am glad that here we have a practical demonstration of the way in which Dáil Éireann works and of the way the Minister and his staff respond to representations. I am pleased that the position is now being rectified.
In Dublin Corporation, the local authority with which I am most familiar, a number of sick or disabled persons are employed with a view to their rehabilitation. Unfortunately, the regulations did not give them full social insurance coverage. I am glad that provision is also being made by the Minister for the granting of credit contributions to the category in question to enable them, immediately on reentry to insurance, to fulfil statutory conditions which govern entitlement to benefits particularly disability benefit and unemployment benefits. I am glad that the persons who raised the matter directly with a number of Deputies, who in turn raised it with the Minister, will now find the position ameliorated somewhat. I welcome the move and thank the Minister for this direct change in legislation. Not only should the new regulations be introduced but local authorities throughout the country should be advised by the Minister of the change so that they will be encouraged to employ an ever-increasing proportion of persons for rehabilitation purposes. Private employers should likewise be made aware of the change in the regulations. I recall the late Deputy Seán Dunne raising this point when trying to pioneer this type of legislation in the House. At long last the viewpoint he expressed some five or six years ago has now been vindicated.