Ryan O'Meara
Question:496. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection if a pensioner and former coal miner can now apply for the disablement benefit payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47676/26]
View answerTuesday, 23 June 2026
Questions (496)
Written answers
Disablement Benefit is a compensatory scheme for persons who have suffered a loss of faculty due to injury arising out of and in their insurable employment. All qualifying criteria for Disablement Benefit must be satisfied for receipt of the scheme.
Disablement Benefit can be paid in addition to any other Social Welfare payment including State Pension Contributory and Non Contributory payments.
In 2010, an agreement was reached by my Department with the National Coal Miners Group Committee that a mechanism would be put in place to deal with current or potential entitlements for former miners who suffer from pneumoconiosis, in accordance with the existing terms of the occupational injuries benefit scheme.
This agreement is still in place and therefore, the Department continues to consider applications accordingly.
All claims must meet the criteria for disablement benefit before they can be referred to the Chief Medical Officer of my Department. These include, the insurability of employment must be established (the person must have been employed as a miner on or after 1 May 1967) and the disease must have developed on or after 1 May 1967.
The Chief Medical Officer must then be satisfied that there is evidence of pneumoconiosis.
The person concerned can make an application for Disablement Benefit and their claim will be processed in accordance with current guidelines.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.