Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline all qualifying illnesses for the occupational injuries benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43037/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Department operates the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme. This scheme provides benefits to people who were injured at work, who acquired an occupational disease at work, or who were injured travelling to and from work.
There is a range of benefits available under this scheme, with different qualifying conditions. The two main payments under the scheme are Injury Benefit and Disablement Benefit. The other payments are Incapacity Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance, Medical Care Scheme and Death Benefits (Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension; Orphan’s pension; Funeral Grant).
Expenditure on Injury Benefit is estimated to be €10.5 million for 2021. As of December 2021 there were 1,112 people in receipt of this payment.
Expenditure on Disablement Benefit is estimated to be €69.6 million for 2021. As of December 2021 there were 14,807 people in receipt of this payment.
Diseases from an occupation are generally contracted by a process (that is, over a period of time). However, they may occasionally develop from a once-off accident at work, and in such a case Injury Benefit can be paid.
A prescribed occupational disease is a disease listed in Social Welfare legislation which a person contracts in the course of his/her employment due to the nature of that employment, for example work with asbestos or certain chemicals, mining, quarrying, working with pneumatic percussive tools. A detailed list of prescribed diseases and of the employments in respect of which each is prescribed is available in S.I. 392 of 1983, in S.I. 102 of 1985 as consolidated in S.I. 102 of 2007.
The legislation also describes, in relation to each of the listed diseases, the occupations where in normal circumstances there would be a reasonable presumption that the disease was work related.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
