asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of claims submitted to his Department in the past year for medical services expenses arising out of occupational injuries and diseases; and the total amount involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Occupational Injuries and Diseases.
76.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to claims by insured persons for reimbursement out of the occupational injuries fund of medical expenses incurred by them as a result of occupational injuries or diseases.
A total of 3,458 such claims was received in my Department in the 12 months ended 22nd June, 1973. An account is not kept of the total amount involved in claims as received. In the year ended 30th June, 1973, reimbursements amounted to £14,500, which represents the actual cost of medical treatment incurred by claimants over and above that to which they were entitled, free of charge, under the Health Acts, the Mental Treatment Acts or regulations made under section 25 of the Social Welfare Act, 1952. The figure is inclusive of the cost of conveyance to and from the place where medical care is provided.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this is a service which should be publicised a little more to those workers who are the victims of occupational illness or disease? They should be made aware that they can go for medical services and that the Department will reimburse them.
I am most anxious that all our citizens' entitlements under these Acts are made widely known.
This is one that is not widely known.
It could possibly justify a little more publicity.