Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals to provide compensation for employees injured at work when the employer goes into receivership and no employee liability insurance was in place beforehand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17388/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Employers' liability insurance enables employers meet the cost of compensation for employee injuries or illnesses, which occur while employees are working for an employer. While employer liability insurance is not compulsory under Irish law, surveys carried out in respect of employers' liability and public liability insurance indicate that approximately 90% of companies were covered either by commercial or self-insurance.

I do not have nor am I aware of proposals to provide compensation for employees injured at work when the employer goes into receivership and no employee liability insurance was in place beforehand. Redress may of course be available through the Civil Courts. As is the case with proposals to make employer liability insurance mandatory (PQ 122), any such proposal for compensation of the type to which the Deputy refers in respect of companies in receivership would similarly represent a radical departure and would require detailed consideration and analysis across Government and with all relevant stakeholders.