As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 25 de 1953.
AN tACHT UM CHÚITEAMH DO LUCHT OIBRE (LEASÚ), 1953.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Achta 1897 agus 1900” na Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1897 and 1900;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1906” an Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1934” an tAcht um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre, 1934 (Uimh. 9 de 1934);
ciallaíonn “Acht 1948” an tAcht um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre (Leasú), 1948 (Uimh. 23 de 1948);
folaíonn na tagairtí d'íocaíocht sheachtainiúil mar chúiteamh faoi Achta 1897 agus 1900 nó faoi Acht 1906 tagairtí d'aon tsuim is iníoctha faoi alt 14 d'Acht 1934 nó faoi alt 3 d'Acht 1948.
An lá ceaptha.
2.—Féadfaidh an tAire Leasa Shóisialaigh, le hordú, lá a cheapadh chun bheith ina lá ceaptha chun críocha an Achta seo, agus san Acht seo ciallaíonn “an lá ceaptha” an lá a ceapfar amhlaidh.
Liúntais fhorlíontacha d'oibrithe atá i dteideal íocaíochtaí seachtainiúla faoi Achta 1897 agus 1900, faoi Acht 1906 nó faoi Acht 1934.
3.—(1) Má bhíonn oibrí fireann i dteideal íocaíochta seachtainiúla mar chúiteamh faoi Achta 1897 agus 1900, nó faoi Acht 1906 nó faoi Acht 1934 i leith aon tseachtaine dár tosach an lá ceaptha nó aon lá dá éis, beidh teideal aige i leith na seachtaine sin, pé acu roimh an lá ceaptha nó air nó dá éis a tharla an tionóisc is cúis leis an gcúiteamh—
(a) má tá bean chéile aige a bhí pósta leis tráth na tionóisce, chun liúntais fhorlíontaigh ina haghaidh do réir ráta nach mó ná dhá scilling déag sa tseachtain, agus
(b) má tá leanbh nó leanaí aige faoi bhun cúig bliana déag d'aois—
(i) mura bhfuil ach leanbh amháin den tsórt sin ann, chun liúntais fhorlíontaigh in aghaidh an linbh sin do réir ráta nach mó ná seacht scillinge sa tseachtain,
(ii) má tá beirt leanaí den tsórt sin ann agus gan ann ach an bheirt, chun liúntais fhorlíontaigh in aghaidh gach linbh acu sin do réir ráta nach mó ná seacht scillinge sa tseachtain,
(iii) má tá triúr leanaí nó níos mó den tsórt sin ann, chun liúntais fhorlíontaigh in aghaidh gach duine den bheirt is sine de na leanaí sin do réir ráta nach mó ná seacht scillinge sa tseachtain.
(2) Más íocaíocht sheachtainiúil i leith éagumais iomláin i nó más ionann í agus an méid dob iníoctha leis an oibrí i gcás éagumais iomláin de dheasca na díobhála, is é a bheas in aon liúntas den tsórt sin an liúntas uasta a sonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, agus in aon chás eile beidh idir é agus an liúntas uasta an coibhneas céanna a bheas idir an íocaíocht sheachtainiúil agus méid na híocaíochta seachtainiúla dob iníoctha leis an oibrí i gcás éagumais iomláin.
(3) Ní bheidh méid iomlán na liúntas forlíontacha is iníoctha i leith aon íocaíochta seachtainiúla níos mó ná pé suim a chomhdhéanfadh, i dteannta na híocaíochta seachtainiúla sin—
(a) i gcás éagumais iomláin, seachtó is cúig faoin gcéad de mheántuilleamh seachtainiúil an oibrí roimh an tionóisc, nó
(b) i gcás páirt-éagumais, ochtó faoin gcéad den difríocht idir meántuilleamh seachtainiúil an oibrí roimh an tionóisc agus meán-tsuim sheachtainiúil an oibrí tar éis na tionóisce.
Sa bhfo-alt seo tá an bhrí chéanna le “meántuilleamh seachtainiúil roimh an tionóisc” agus “meán-tsuim sheachtainiúil tar éis na tionóisce” atá leo sa Tríú Sceideal a ghabhas le hAcht 1934, ach—
(i) i gcás méid na híocaíochta seachtainiúla a mhéadú de dhroim athbhreithnithe faoi fho-alt (2) d'alt 25 d'Acht 1934, forléireofar “meántuilleamh seachtainiúil roimh an tionóisc” mar thagairt don tsuim sheachtainiúil ba dhócha a bheith á tuilleamh ag an oibrí ar dháta an athbhreithnithe dá mba nár tharla díobháil dó,
(ii) i gcás méid na híocaíochta seachtainiúla d'athrú de dhroim athbhreithnithe faoi fho-alt (3) d'alt 25 d'Acht 1934, forléireofar “meántuilleamh seachtainiúil roimh an tionóisc” mar thagairt don mheántuilleamh seachtainiúil a bheadh ag an oibrí i gcaitheamh an dá mhí dhéag roimh an tionóisc dá mba iad na rátaí luach saothair a bhí ann sa dá mhí dhéag roimh an athbhreithniú a bheadh ann sa dá mhí dhéag roimh an tionóisc,
(iii) i gcás méid na híocaíochta seachtainiúla a shocrú de bhun míre (i) d'fho-alt (2) d'alt 7 d'Acht 1948, forléireofar “meántuilleamh seachtainiúil roimh an tionóisc” mar thagairt don tsuim sheachtainiúil ba dhócha a bheith á tuilleamh ag an oibrí ar dháta éisteachta na n-imeacht dá mba nár tharla díobháil dó, agus
(iv) i gcás méid na híocaíochta seachtainiúla a shocrú de bhun míre (ii) d'fho-alt (2) d'alt 7 d'Acht 1948, forléireofar “meántuilleamh seachtainiúil roimh an tionóisc” mar thagairt don mheántuilleamh seachtainiúil a bheadh ag an oibrí i gcaitheamh an dá mhí dhéag roimh an tionóisc dá mba iad na rátaí luach saothair a bhí ann sa dá mhí dhéag roimh éisteacht na n-imeacht a bheadh ann sa dá mhí dhéag roimh an tionóisc.
(4) Measfar na liúntais fhorlíontacha a bheith ina gcuid den íocaíocht sheachtainiúil sin chun gach críche agus dá réir sin beid iníoctha ag an bhfostóir a dhlífeas an íocaíocht sheachtainiúil a dhéanamh, ach má déantar iarratas chun na Cúirte Cuarda maidir le fuascailt na híocaíochta seachtainiúla, ansin, i gcás inar buan don eagumas chomh maith le cás nach buan don éagumas, is é a bheas sa chuid den chnapshuim is inchurtha i leith liúntais fhorlíontaigh pé méid a chinnfeas an Chúirt.
(5) I gcás inar gá chun críocha aon achtacháin acu seo a leanas, is é sin le rá:—
(a) fo-alt (3) d'alt 5 d'Acht 1906,
(b) fo-alt (5) d'alt 20 d'Acht 1934, agus
(c) ailt 107 agus 209 den Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908,
an chnapshuim a dhéanamh amach ar a bhféadfaí aon íocaíocht sheachtainiúil a bhfuil liúntas forlíontach ina chuid di d'fhuascailt, beidh éifeacht ag na hachtacháin sin faoi réir forál fo-ailt (4) den alt seo.
(6) Aon oibrí a bhfuil teideal aige chun dhá íocaíocht sheachtainiúla chomhthráthacha nó níos mó, beidh teideal aige chun liúntas forlíontacha i leith gach íocaíochta seachtainiúla ar leith, ach—
(a) ní bheidh comhshuim na liúntas sin níos mó ná na liúntais uasta a sonraítear faoi seach i mír (a) agus i mír (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo, agus
(b) i gcás ina mbeadh, mura mbeadh an fhoráil seo, an chomhshuim níos mó ná na liúntais uasta sin agus nach ag an duine céanna atá na híocaíochtaí seachtainiúla go léir iníoctha, ní dlífear de na daoine éagsúla a dhlífeas na híocaíochtaí seachtainiúla adúradh a dhéanamh ach amháin pé liúntais d'íoc a mbeidh idir iad agus na liúntais uasta sin na coibhneasa céanna a bheas idir a n-íocaíochtaí seachtainiúla faoi seach agus comhshuim na n-íocaíochtaí seachtainiúla.
(7) An liúntas forlíontach in aghaidh a mhná céile is iníoctha le hoibrí a bhfuil teideal aige chun íocaíochta seachtainiúla mar chúiteamh faoi Achta 1897 agus 1900 nó faoi Acht 1906, is do réir an ráta uasta a sonraítear i mír (a) d'fho alt (1) den alt seo a bheas sé d'ainneoin aon fhorála eile den alt seo.
(8) Má ghlac oibrí íocaíocht sheachtainiúil nach bhfuil liúntas forlíontach ina chuid dí nó a bhfuil liúntas forlíontach is lú ná an liúntas forlíontach uasta ina chuid di, ní bheidh teideal aige chun aon íocaíochta breise mar liúntas forlíontach i leith aon tseachtaine mura ndéantar an t-éileamh ar an íocaíocht sin laistigh de shé mhí i ndiaidh deireadh na seachtaine sin.
(9) San alt seo ciallaíonn “leanbh”, maidir le hoibrí fireann a bhfuil teideal aige chun íocaíochta seachtainiúla,
(a) aon leanbh dlisteanach nó neamhdhlisteanach a rugadh dó tráth nach déanaí ná deich mí tar éis na tionóisce is cúis leis an gcúiteamh,
(b) aon leas-leanbh, is leanbh dlisteanach a raibh a mháthair pósta leis roimh an tionóisc, agus
(c) aon leanbh d'uchtaigh sé, nó d'uchtaigh sé féin agus a bhean chéile i gcomhar, roimh an tionóisc, de bhun orduithe uchtála á rinneadh faoin Acht Uchtála, 1952 (Uimh. 25 de 1952).
Alt 5 (2) (a) d'Acht 1934 a leasú.
4.—(1) Déantar leis seo mír (a) d'fho-alt (2) d'alt 5 d'Acht 1934, arna leasú le fo-alt (1) d'alt 4 d'Acht 1948, a leasú trí “sé chéad punt” a chur in ionad “chúig chéad punt”.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an leasú a déantar le fo-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le haon chás más roimh an lá ceaptha a tharla an tionóisc.
Alt 53 d'Acht 1934 a leasú.
5.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (2) d'alt 53 d'Acht 1934 trí “cé acu atá nó nach bhfuil an t-oibrí is páirtí sa chomhaontú árachaithe faoin Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1952 (Uimh. 11 de 1952)” a chur in ionad “cé acu duine faoi árachas an t-oibrí is páirtí sa chomhaontú nó nach ea agus más duine faoi árachas é luafar san iarratas ainm agus seoladh an chumainn cheadaithe a riarann sochar breoiteachta nó mí-chumais faoi na hAchta um Arachas Sláinte Náisiúnta, 1911 go 1933, is iníoctha leis an oibrí sin,”.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (3) d'alt 53 d'Acht 1934 trí “atá árachaithe faoin Acht Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1952 (Uimh. 11 de 1952), an t-oibrí, ar an Aire Leasa Shóisialaigh” a chur in ionad “faoi árachas an t-oibrí, ar an gcumann ceadaithe lena mbaineann an scéal,”.
Alt 60 d'Acht 1934 a leasú.
6.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 60 d'Acht 1934 tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur leis:—
“(6) I gcás lena mbaineann an t-alt seo—
(a) má ghlacann an t-oibrí cúiteamh faoin Acht seo, nó aon íocaíocht a airbheartós a bheith mar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo nó aon tsuim a híocfar faoi chomhaontú a cláraíodh go cuí faoi Chuid VI den Acht seo, ní choiscfidh sin ar an oibrí imeachta a chur ar aghaidh gan spleáchas leis an Acht seo, ar choinníoll go dtionscnófar na himeachta laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag ó dháta na tionóisce do tharlachaint nó, má chruthaíonn an t-oibrí chun sástachta na Cúirte ina dtionscnófar na himeachta go raibh cúiseanna maithe nár thionscain sé na himeachta laistigh den dá mhí dhéag sin, laistigh de ceithre mhí fichead ó dháta na tionóisce do tharlachtaint, agus
(b) má tionscantar na himeachta amhlaidh agus go gcinnfear sna himeachta, nó de thoradh achomhairc, gur díobháil í a bhfuil an fostóir faoi dhliteanas maidir léi sna himeachta, bainfidh an Chúirt ina n-éistfear na himeachta nó, más cinneadh (tar éis achomhairc ó cheachtar páirtí) ag binse achomhairc an cinneadh, bainfidh an binse achomhairc sin, as na damáistí, na costais agus na caiteachais, aon chúiteamh, íocaíocht nó suim den tsórt sin a fuair an t-oibrí agus, i gcás ina raibh imeachta ann chun cúiteamh a ghnóthú faoin Acht seo, aon chostais agus caiteachais de chuid an fhostóra sna himeachta sin agus aon chostais agus caiteachais de chuid an oibrí iontu a thit ar an bhfostóir.”.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an leasú a déantar le fo-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le haon chás más roimh an lá ceaptha a tharla an tionóisc.
Alt 61 d'Acht 1934 a leasú.
7.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 61 d'Acht 1934 tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach ann i ndiaidh míre (a):
“(aa) d'ainneoin aon ní sa mhír roimhe seo—
(i) má ghlacann an t-oibrí cúiteamh faoin Acht seo nó faoin scéim sin, nó aon tsuim a híocfar faoi chomhaontú a cláraíodh go cuí faoi Chuid VI den Acht seo, ní choiscfidh sin ar an oibrí na himeachta sin a chur ar aghaidh chun damáistí a ghnóthú, ná ní choiscfidh air damáistí a ghnóthú iontu, ar choinníoll go dtionscnófar na himeachta laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag ó dháta na tionóisce do tharlachtaint nó, má chruthaíonn an t-oibrí chun sástachta na Cúirte ina dtionscnófar na himeachta go raibh cúiseanna maithe nár thionscnain sé na himeachta laistigh den dá mhí dhéag sin, laistigh de cheithre mhí fichead ó dháta na tionóisce do tharlachtaint, agus
(ii) má tionscantar na himeachta amhlaidh agus go gcinnfear sna himeachta, nó de thoradh achomhairc, gur díobháil í a bhfuil an cosantóir faoi dhliteanas maidir léi sna himeachta, bainfidh an Chúirt ina n-éistfear na himeachta nó, más cinneadh (tar éis achomhairc ó cheachtar páirtí) ag binse achomhairc an cinneadh, bainfidh an binse achomhairc sin, as na damáistí, na costais agus na caiteachais, aon chúiteamh nó suim den tsórt sin a fuair an t-oibrí agus, i gcás ina raibh imeachta ann chun cúiteamh a ghnóthú faoin Acht seo nó faoin scéim sin, aon chostais agus caiteachais de chuid an fhreagróra sna himeachta sin agus aon chostais agus caiteachais de chuid an oibrí iontu a thit ar an bhfreagróir sin,”.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an leasú a déantar le fo-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le haon chás más roimh an lá ceaptha a tharla an tionóisc.
An Dara Sceideal a ghabhas le hAcht 1934 a leasú.
8.—(1) Déantar leis seo an Dara Sceideal a ghabhas le hAcht 1934 a leasú do réir an Sceidil a ghabhas leis an Acht seo.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (2) d'alt 22 d'Acht 1934 trí “dhá chéad déag punt” a chur in ionad “sé chéad punt”.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag na leasuithe a déantar le fo-ailt (1) agus (2) den alt seo in aon chás más roimh an lá ceaptha a tharla an tionóisc.
Eagumas a fhillfeas.
9.—(1) D'ainneoin aon riail dlí nó aon ní atá in Acht 1934, más dóigh leis an gCúirt, le linn éisteachta éilimh ar chúiteamh faoi Acht 1934 nó iarratais faoi alt 25 d'Acht 1934 ar íocaíocht sheachtainiúil d'athbhreithniú, go bhfuil deireadh leis an éagumas a tháinig den díobháil a tharla don oibrí ach go bhfuil cosúlacht réasúnach ann go bhfillfidh sé, féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú a dhéanamh ina mbeidh dearbhú sa chéill sin agus ina bhforcoimeádfar cead don oibrí agus don fhostóir á iarraidh ar an gCúirt an t-ordú sin d'athbhreithniú.
(2) Más dóigh leis an gCúirt, le linn iarratas d'éisteacht chun ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo d'athbhreithniú, go bhfuil an t-éagumas a tháinig den díobháil a tharla don oibrí tar éis filleadh, féadfaidh an Chúirt déileáil leis an iarratas amhail is dá mb'éileamh é ar chúiteamh faoi Acht 1934 agus chun na críche sin féadfaidh sí a mheas gurb é an lá d'fhill an t-éagumas sin an lá a tharla an díobháil sin don oibrí.
Ceanglais maidir le heolas a thabhairt.
10.—(1) (a) Aon fhostóir a ndéanfar éileamh ar liúntais fhorlíontacha ina choinne faoin Acht seo, féadfaidh sé, trí fhógra i scríbhinn, a cheangal ar an oibrí dearbhú a dhéanamh sa bhfoirm ordaithe ina mbeidh pé eolas is gá chun críocha an Achta seo maidir le haon bhean chéile nó leanaí a bhfuil aon liúntais á n-éileamh ina haghaidh nó ina n-aghaidh, agus maidir le haon íocaíocht sheachtainiúil eile mar chúiteamh faoi Achta 1897 agus 1900, faoi Acht 1906 nó faoi Acht 1934, agus le haon liúntais fhorlíontacha is iníoctha ina leith, a bhfuil teideal ag an oibrí chuici nó chucu.
(b) Aon fhostóir a dhlífeas liúntais fhorlíontacha d'íoc faoin Acht seo, féadfaidh sé, trí fhógra i scríbhinn, a cheangal ar an oibrí, ar aon ócáid a bheas na liúntais fhorlíontacha dlite, dearbhú a dhéanamh sa bhfoirm ordaithe ina mbeidh pé eolas is gá chun a chumasú don fhostóir a fháil amach ar tharla aon athrú ábhartha ar na himthosca.
(c) Má mhainníonn an t-oibrí, gan cúis réasúnach, an dearbhú a dhéanamh laistigh den cheithre lá déag ó dháta aon fhógra faoin bhfo-alt seo a sheirbheáil, déanfar a cheart chun na liúntas d'fhionraí amhail ó dheireadh na tréimhse sin go dtí go ndéanfar an dearbhú agus ní bheidh aon liúntais iníoctha in aghaidh tréimhse na fionraíochta.
(2) Aon duine a dhéanfas go feasach aon ráiteas bréagach nó uiríoll bréagach d'fhonn liúntas forlíontach faoin Acht seo d'fháil dó féin nó d'aon duine eile nó d'fhonn méid aon liúntais den tsórt sin a mhéadú, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air nó, de rogha na Cúirte, príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nach sia ná trí mhí nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile, agus i gcás inar híocadh, de dhroim aon ráitis nó uiríll bhréagaigh den tsórt sin a rinne an t-oibrí i scríbhinn nó a rinneadh amhlaidh go bhfios dó, aon liúntais den tsórt sin de bhreis ar na méideanna a raibh teideal chucu ag an oibrí, féadfaidh an fostóir a dhligh na liúntais d'íoc, gan dochar d'aon mhodh gnóthuithe eile, méid na breise a bhaint as aon liúntais a bheas le n-íoc ina dhiaidh sin.
(3) San alt seo ciallaíonn “ordaithe”ordaithe le rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire Leasa Shóisialaigh.
Cruthú ar aois agus ar phósadh.
11.—(1) I gcás inar gá chun críocha an Achta seo aois nó pósadh aon duine a chruthú, beidh teideal ag duine ar bith, ar fhoréileamh i scríbhinn a thíolacadh i pé foirm agus pé sonraí ann a threorós an tAire Sláinte agus ar an táille cheaptha d'íoc, cóip dheimhnithe d'fháil de thaifead breithe nó pósta (do réir mar bheas) an duine sin sa chlár breitheanna nó póstaí (do réir mar bheas) faoi láimh an chláraitheora nó an chláraitheora mhaoirseachta nó an duine eile ar a bhfuil cúram an chláir sin, agus déanfaidh gach cláraitheoir breitheanna agus bása, agus gach cláraitheoir maoirseachta nó duine eile ar a bhfuil cúram an chláir, foirmeacha i gcóir an fhoréilimh sin a sholáthar in aisce nuair a hiarrfar iad.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire Sláinte, le toiliú an Aire Leasa Shóisialaigh agus an Aire Airgeadais, táillí a cheapadh, le rialacháin, chun críocha an ailt seo agus féadfar táillí difriúla a cheapadh do dheimhnithe difriúla.
Scéimeanna faoi alt 79 d'Acht 1934.
12.—Beidh feidhm ag an Acht seo maidir le hoibrithe ag a bhfuil teideal chun cúitimh faoi aon scéim a rinneadh faoi alt 79 d'Acht 1934, faoi réir pé oiriúnuithe, modhnuithe agus eisceachtaí atá sa scéim nó i scéim leasaitheach a rinneadh faoin alt sin.
Gearrtheideal agus comhlua.
13.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre (Leasú), 1953, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchta um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre, 1934 go 1953, a ghairm de na hAchta um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre, 1934 agus 1948, agus den Acht seo le chéile.
AN SCEIDEAL.
Leasuithe an Dara Sceideal a Ghabhas Le hAcht 1934.
1. I bhfo-mhír (i) de mhír (a) de Riail 1 cuirfear “£400” in ionad “£200”.
2. I bhfo-mhír (ii) de mhír (a) de Riail 1 cuirfear “£600” in ionad “£300”.
3. I mír (b) de Riail 1 cuirfear “£400” in ionad “£200” sa dá áit ina bhfuil “£200”.
4. I bhfo-mhír (a) de mhír (1) de Riail 3 cuirfear “dhá chéad déag punt” in ionad “sé chéad punt”.
5. I bhfo-mhír (b) de mhír (1) de Riail 3 cuirfear “£4 3s. 4d.” in ionad “£2 1s. 8d.”.
6. I gclásal (i) d'fho-mhír (c) de mhír (1) de Riail 3 cuirfear “£6 13s. 4d.” in ionad “£3 6s. 8d.” agus “£4 3s. 4d.” in ionad “£2 1s. 8d.”.
7. I gclásal (ii) d'fho-mhír (c) de mhír (1) de Riail 3 cuirfear “£7 10s. 0d.” in ionad “£3 15s. 0d.”, “£6 13s. 4d.” in ionad “£3 6s. 8d.” agus “£4 3s. 4d.” in ionad “£2 1s. 8d.”.
8. I gclásal (iii) d'fho-mhír (c) de mhír (1) de Riail 3 cuirfear “£8 6s. 8d.” in ionad “£4 3s. 4d.”, “£7 10s. 0d.” in ionad “£3 15s. 0d.”, “£6 13s. 4d.” in ionad “£3 6s. 8d.” agus “£4 3s. 4d.” in ionad “£2 1s. 8d.”.
9. I gclásal IV d'fho-mhír (c) de mhír (1) de Riail 3 cuirfear “£8 6s. 8d.” in ionad “£4 3s. 4d.”, “£7 10s. 0d.” in ionad “£3 15s. 0d.”, “£6 13s. 4d.” in ionad “ £3 6s. 8d.” agus “£4 3s. 4d.” in ionad “£2 1s. 8d.”.
10. I gclásal (i) d'fho-mhír (d) de mhír (1) de Riail 3 cuirfear “£4 3s. 4d.” in ionad “£2 1s. 8d.”.
11. I mír (1) de Riail 5 cuirfear “dhá chéad déag punt” in ionad “sé chéad punt”.
12. I mír (2) de Riail 5 cuirfear “dhá chéad déag punt” in ionad “sé chéad punt” sa dá áit ina bhfuil “sé chéad punt”.
Number 25 of 1953.
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1953.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Acts Referred to | |
No. 9 of 1934 | |
No. 23 of 1948 | |
No. 25 of 1952 | |
No. 11 of 1952 | |
Number 25 of 1953.
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1953.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
“the Acts of 1897 and 1900” means the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1897 and 1900;
“the Act of 1906” means the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906;
“the Act of 1934” means the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934 (No. 9 of 1934);
“the Act of 1948” means the Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Act, 1948 (No. 23 of 1948);
the references to a weekly payment by way of compensation under the Acts of 1897 and 1900 or the Act of 1906 include references to any sum payable under section 14 of the Act of 1934 or section 3 of the Act of 1948.
The appointed day.
2.—The Minister for Social Welfare may by order appoint a day to be the appointed day for the purposes of this Act, and in this Act “the appointed day” means the day so appointed.
Supplemental allowances to workmen entitled to weekly payments under Acts of 1897 and 1900, Act of 1906 or Act of 1934.
3.—(1) Where a male workman is entitled to a weekly payment by way of compensation under the Acts of 1897 and 1900, the Act of 1906 or the Act of 1934 in respect of any week commencing on or after the appointed day, he shall whether the accident giving rise to the compensation happened before, on or after the appointed day, be entitled in respect of that week to—
(a) if he has a wife who was married to him at the time of the accident, a supplemental allowance in respect of her at a rate not exceeding twelve shillings per week, and
(b) if he has a child or children under the age of fifteen years—
(i) where there is one such child only, a supplemental allowance in respect of that child at a rate not exceeding seven shillings per week,
(ii) where there are two such children and not more, a supplemental allowance in respect of each of those children at a rate not exceeding seven shillings per week,
(iii) where there are three or more such children, a supplemental allowance in respect of each of the two eldest of those children at a rate not exceeding seven shillings per week.
(2) Where the weekly payment is in respect of total incapacity or equals the amount which would be payable to the workman in the case of total incapacity resulting from the injury, any such allowance shall be the maximum allowance specified in subsection (1) of this section, and in any other case shall bear the same proportion to the maximum allowance as the weekly payment bears to the amount of the weekly payment which would be payable to the workman in the case of total incapacity.
(3) The total amount of the supplemental allowances payable in respect of any weekly payment shall not exceed such sum as would, together with the said weekly payment, amount—
(a) in the case of total incapacity, to seventy-five per cent. of the pre-accident average weekly earnings of the workman, or
(b) in the case of partial incapacity, to eighty per cent. of the difference between the pre-accident average weekly earnings of the workman and his post-accident average weekly amount.
In this subsection “pre-accident average weekly earnings” and “post-accident average weekly amount” have the same meanings as in the Third Schedule to the Act of 1934, but—
(i) in a case where the amount of the weekly payment is increased as a result of a review under subsection (2) of section 25 of the Act of 1934, “pre-accident average weekly earnings” shall be construed as referring to the weekly sum which the workman would probably have been earning at the date of the review if he had remained uninjured,
(ii) in a case where the amount of the weekly payment is varied as a result of a review under subsection (3) of section 25 of the Act of 1934, “pre-accident average weekly earnings” shall be construed as referring to what would have been the workman's average weekly earnings during the twelve months previous to the accident if the rates of remuneration obtaining during the twelve months previous to the review had obtained during the twelve months previous to the accident,
(iii) in a case where the amount of the weekly payment is fixed pursuant to paragraph (i) of subsection (2) of section 7 of the Act of 1948, “pre-accident average weekly earnings” shall be construed as referring to the weekly sum which the workman would probably have been earning at the date of the hearing of the proceedings if he had remained uninjured, and
(iv) in a case where the amount of the weekly payment is fixed pursuant to paragraph (ii) of subsection (2) of section 7 of the Act of 1948, “pre-accident average weekly earnings” shall be construed as referring to what would have been the workman's average weekly earnings during the twelve months previous to the accident if the rates of remuneration obtaining during the twelve months previous to the hearing of the proceedings had obtained during the twelve months previous to the accident.
(4) The supplemental allowances shall be deemed to be part of the said weekly payment for all purposes and they shall accordingly be payable by the employer liable to make the weekly payment, but where application is made to the Circuit Court in relation to the redemption of the weekly payment, the part of the lump sum referable to a supplemental allowance shall, in a case where the incapacity is permanent as well as in a case where it is not permanent, be such amount as may be determined by the Court.
(5) Where for the purposes of any of the following enactments, that is to say:
(a) subsection (3) of section 5 of the Act of 1906,
(b) subsection (5) of section 20 of the Act of 1934, and
(c) sections 107 and 209 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908,
it is necessary to ascertain the lump sum for which any weekly payment which includes a supplemental allowance could be redeemed, those enactments shall have effect subject to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.
(6) Any workman who is entitled to two or more concurrent weekly payments shall be entitled to supplemental allowances in respect of each weekly payment, but—
(a) the aggregate of such allowances shall not exceed the maximum allowances respectively specified in paragraph (a) and paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section, and
(b) where, but for this provision, the aggregate would exceed those maximum allowances and the weekly payments are not all payable by the same person, the several persons liable to make the weekly payments aforesaid shall only be liable to pay such allowances as bear to the said maximum allowances the same proportions as their respective weekly payments bear to the aggregate of the weekly payments.
(7) The supplemental allowance in respect of his wife payable to a workman entitled to a weekly payment by way of compensation under the Acts of 1897 and 1900 or the Act of 1906 shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this section, be at the maximum rate specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section.
(8) Where a workman has accepted a weekly payment which does not include a supplemental allowance or which includes a supplemental allowance less than the maximum, he shall not be entitled to any additional payment by way of supplemental allowance in respect of any week unless the claim for that payment is made within six months after the end of that week.
(9) In this section “child” means, in relation, to a male workman entitled to a weekly payment,—
(a) any legitimate or illegitimate child born to him not later than ten months after the accident giving rise to compensation,
(b) any step-child, being a legitimate child whose mother was married to him before the accident, and
(c) any child adopted before the accident by him, or by him and his wife jointly, in pursuance of an adoption order made under the Adoption Act, 1952 (No. 25 of 1952).
Amendment of section 5 (2) (a) of Act of 1934.
4.—(1) Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 5 of the Act of 1934, as amended by subsection (1) of section 4 of the Act of 1948, is hereby amended by the substitution of “six hundred pounds” for “five hundred pounds”.
(2) The amendment effected by subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any case where the accident happened before the appointed day.
Amendment of section 53 of Act of 1934.
5.—(1) Subsection (2) of section 53 of the Act of 1934 is hereby amended by the substitution of “insured under the Social Welfare Act, 1952 (No. 11 of 1952), or not” for “an insured person or not and in the event of his being an insured person shall state the name and address of the approved society by which sickness or disablement benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts, 1911 to 1933, payable to such workman is administered,”.
(2) Subsection (3) of section 53 of the Act of 1934 is hereby amended by the substitution of “insured under the Social Welfare Act, 1952 (No. 11 of 1952), also on the Minister for Social Welfare” for “an insured person, also on the approved society concerned,”.
Amendment of section 60 of Act of 1934.
6.—(1) Section 60 of the Act of 1934 is hereby amended by the addition thereto of the following subsection:—
“(6) In a case to which this section applies—
(a) acceptance by the workman of compensation under this Act, or of any payment purporting to be by way of compensation thereunder, or of any sum paid under an agreement duly registered under Part VI of this Act, shall not prevent the workman from maintaining proceedings independently of this Act, provided that the proceedings are instituted within twelve months from the occurrence of the accident, or, if the workman satisfies the Court in which the proceedings are instituted that there were substantial grounds for his not having instituted the proceedings within the said twelve months, within twenty-four months from the occurrence of the accident, and
(b) if the proceedings are so instituted and it is determined therein, or on appeal, that the injury is one for which the employer is liable in the proceedings, the Court in which the proceedings are heard, or if the determination is the determination (on appeal by either party) of an appellate tribunal, then such appellate tribunal, shall deduct from the damages, costs and expenses any such compensation, payment or sum which the workman has received and, where there have been proceedings for the recovery of compensation under this Act, any costs and expenses therein of the employer and any costs and expenses therein of the workman which have been borne by the employer.”.
(2) The amendment effected by subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any case where the accident happened before the appointed day.
Amendment of section 61 of Act of 1934.
7.—(1) Section 61 of the Act of 1934 is hereby amended by the insertion therein after paragraph (a) of the following paragraph:
“(aa) notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing paragraph—
(i) acceptance by the workman of compensation under this Act or such scheme, or of any sum paid under an agreement duly registered under Part VI of this Act, shall not prevent the workman from maintaining the said proceedings to recover damages or from recovering damages therein, provided that the proceedings are instituted within twelve months from the occurrence of the accident, or, if the workman satisfies the Court in which the proceedings are instituted that there were substantial grounds for his not having instituted the proceedings within the said twelve months, within twenty-four months from the occurrence of the accident, and
(ii) if the proceedings are so instituted and it is determined therein, or on appeal, that the injury is one for which the defendant is liable in the proceedings, the Court in which the proceedings are heard, or if the determination is the determination (on appeal by either party) of an appellate tribunal, then such appellate tribunal shall deduct from the damages, costs and expenses any such compensation or sum which the workman has received and, where there have been proceedings for the recovery of compensation under this Act or such scheme, any costs and expenses therein of the respondent in those proceedings and any costs and expenses therein of the workman which have been borne by such respondent,”.
(2) The amendment effected by subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any case where the accident happened before the appointed day.
Amendment of Second Schedule to Act of 1934.
8.—(1) The Second Schedule to the Act of 1934 is hereby amended in accordance with the Schedule to this Act.
(2) Subsection (2) of section 22 of the Act of 1934 is hereby amended by the substitution of “twelve hundred pounds” for “six hundred pounds”.
(3) The amendments effected by subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall not apply to any case where the accident happened before the appointed day.
Recurrence of incapacity.
9.—(1) Notwithstanding any rule of law or anything contained in the Act of 1934, where it appears to the Court, at the hearing of a claim for compensation under the Act of 1934 or of an application under section 25 of the Act of 1934 for review of a weekly payment, that the incapacity which resulted from the injury caused to the workman has ceased, but that there is a reasonable probability that it will recur, the Court may make an order containing a declaration to that effect and reserving liberty to both the workman and the employer to apply to the Court to reconsider such order.
(2) Where, at the hearing of an application to reconsider an order under subsection (1) of this section, it appears to the Court that the incapacity which resulted from the injury caused to the workman has recurred, the Court may deal with the application as if it were a claim for compensation under the Act of 1934 and for that purpose may treat the day on which such incapacity recurred as the day on which such injury was caused to the workman.
Requirements as to furnishing of information.
10.—(1) (a) Any employer against whom a claim for supplemental allowances under this Act is made may by notice in writing require the workman to make a declaration in the prescribed form and containing such information as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act as to any wife or children in respect of whom any allowances are claimed, and as to any other weekly payment by way of compensation under the Acts of 1897 and 1900, the Act of 1906 or the Act of 1934, and any supplemental allowances payable in respect thereof, to which the workman is entitled.
(b) Any employer liable to pay supplemental allowances under this Act may by notice in writing require the workman to make, on any occasion on which the supplemental allowances are due, a declaration in the prescribed form containing such information as may be necessary to enable the employer to ascertain whether there has been any material change of circumstances.
(c) If the workman, without reasonable cause, fails to make the declaration within fourteen days from the service of any notice under this subsection, his right to the allowances shall be suspended as from the expiration of that period until the declaration is made and no allowances shall be payable in respect of the period of suspension.
(2) Any person who, for the purpose of obtaining a supplemental allowance under this Act for himself or any other person or of increasing the amount of any such allowance, knowingly makes any false statement or false representation, shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment, and where any allowances have, in consequence of any such false statement or representation made in writing by the workman or with his knowledge, been paid in excess of the amounts to which the workman was entitled, the employer liable to pay the allowances shall, without prejudice to any other method of recovery, be entitled to deduct the amount of the excess from any future payments of allowances.
(3) In this section “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for Social Welfare.
Proof of age and marriage.
11.—(1) Where for the purposes of this Act, the age or marriage of any person is required to be proved, any person shall, on presenting a written requisition in such form and containing such particulars as may be directed by the Minister for Health and on payment of the appointed fee, be entitled to obtain a certified copy of the entry of the birth or marriage (as the case may be) of that person in the register of births or marriages (as the case may be) under the hand of the registrar or superintendent registrar or other person having the custody thereof, and forms for such requisition shall on request be supplied without any charge by every registrar of births and deaths, and by every superintendent registrar or other person having the custody of the register.
(2) The Minister for Health may, with the consent of the Minister for Social Welfare and of the Minister for Finance, by regulations appoint fees for the purposes of this section and different fees may be appointed for different certificates.
Schemes under section 79 of Act of 1934.
12.—This Act shall apply in relation to workmen entitled to compensation under any scheme made under section 79 of the Act of 1934 subject to such adaptations, modifications and exceptions as may be contained in the scheme or in an amending scheme made under that section.
Short title and collective citation.
13.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Act, 1953.
(2) The Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 and 1948, and this Act may be cited together as the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 to 1953.
SCHEDULE.
Aamendments of Second Schedule to Act of 1934.
1. In subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of Rule 1 “£400” shall be substituted for “£200”.
2. In subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of Rule 1 “£600” shall be substituted for “£300”.
3. In paragraph (b) of Rule 1 “£400” shall be substituted for “£200” in both places where “£200” occurs.
4. In subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1) of Rule 3 “twelve hundred pounds” shall be substituted for “six hundred pounds”.
5. In subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1) of Rule 3 “£4 3s. 4d.” shall be substituted for “£2 1s. 8d.”.
6. In clause (i) of subparagraph (c) of paragraph (1) of Rule 3 “£6 13s. 4d.” shall be substituted for “£3 6s. 8d.” and “£4 3s. 4d.” for “£2 1s. 8d.”.
7. In clause (ii) of subparagraph (c) of paragraph (1) of Rule 3 “£7 10s. 0d.” shall be substituted for “£3 15s. 0d.”, “£6 13s. 4d.” for “£3 6s. 8d.” and “£4 3s. 4d.” for “£2 1s. 8d.”.
8. In clause (iii) of subparagraph (c) of paragraph (1) of Rule 3 “£8 6s. 8d.” shall be substituted for “£4 3s. 4d.”, “£7 10s. 0d.” for “£3 15s. 0d.”, “£6 13s. 4d.” for “£3 6s. 8d.” and “£4 3s. 4d.” for “£2 1s. 8d.”.
9. In clause (iv) of subparagraph (c) of paragraph (1) of Rule 3 “£8 6s. 8d.” shall be substituted for “£4 3s. 4d.”, “£7 10s. 0d.” for “£3 15s. 0d.”, “£6 13s. 4d.” for “£3 6s. 8d.” and “£4 3s. 4d.” for “£2 1s. 8d.”.
10. In clause (i) of subparagraph (d) of paragraph (1) of Rule 3 “£4 3s. 4d.” shall be substituted for “£2 1s. 8d.”.
11. In paragraph (1) of Rule 5 “twelve hundred pounds” shall be substituted for “six hundred pounds”.
12. In paragraph (2) of Rule 5 “twelve hundred pounds” shall be substituted for “six hundred pounds” in both places where “six hundred pounds” occurs.