Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will establish a statutory compensation tribunal for ex-coal miners who have suffered injury and ill health due to the failure of various regulatory regimes to police the health and safety provisions as contained in the Mines and Quarries Act, 1965 (details supplied). [31826/08]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The question of health and safety at mines under the Mines and Quarries Act 1965, is a matter for the Health and Safety Authority, which is under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I have no statutory authority to establish a specific scheme or tribunal to provide for compensation to people suffering health problems as a consequence of working in underground mines and have no resources from which to fund such a scheme.

The question of assistance to former miners, or any other type of employees, who suffer health problems as a consequence of working conditions in the past is, primarily, a matter between them and their employers, and in so far as the State is concerned, of disability or occupational injuries benefit entitlement under the social welfare code.