Department to review compensation for miners
Significant progress was made last week on the issue of compensation for surviving Arigna Miners suffering respiratory problems.
Arising from the concerns expressed by the former miners and their representatives and having regard to their claims of a progressive deterioration in the health of the group, the Department for Social Protection said they will review the current status and rate of award payable to surviving miners who believe they have contacted an illness from their work on the mines.
Looking at the report from the Department under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme, it is understood that the Chief Medical Officer will determine the nature of the review process required in individual cases, having regard to the age or current health of the person.
Where further evidence is required, the Department suggests that it will seek the advise of an independent Consultant Respiratory Physician who is acceptable to the Miners Committee.
Where deemed appropriate, the Chief Medical Officer will advise the deciding officers that a review award is warranted because of the severe nature or progressive deterioration of the illness/ health problem which arises from that person's work in the mines.
In relation to relatives of former miners who have passed away, the current position is that if a person was on disablement pension, having being assessed with an incapacity of 50% or more, their widow will receive a higher rate of payment under the terms of the death benefit scheme. This is a higher level than the flat rate of payment and it doesn't increase with regard to increasing incapacity once awarded.
As widows receiving a higher rate of payment at present arise from previous incapacity, assessments in excess of 50 per cent of their status will be unchanged in the current process.
Local Fianna Fail Senators John Ellis and Paschal Mooney and Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan all welcomed this advancement on the miners issue.
John Ellis said he was "happy to confirm" that the Department of Social Protection" is considering a review of the current status and rate of award payable to the people affected," following a meeting with Minister Eamon O'Cuiv last Wednesday night.
Welcoming the breakthrough Senator Mooney said, "These men often had to work in appalling conditions often with minimal safety equipment, as a result many former miners suffer long term health difficulties, as they age these health conditions worsen, I am very glad that the Minister has seen fit to review the current rate of benefits paid to the miners with a view to increasing it."
Deputy Frank Feighan said he respected the Minister's interest in solving the miner's issues and addressing their contribution to the state.
"I believe it a movement in the right direction," he said, before stating it was too early to say that the process was moving towards a "settlement."
Deputy Feighan said that everything he and other public representatives can do will be done to solve this long outstanding issue.
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
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