Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to introduce a compensation scheme for persons who suffer or have died of asbestosis related illness in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11399/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans to introduce any scheme for financial support for those suffering from any form of occupational illness. The issue of financial support for those suffering from an occupational disease, i.e., a disease contracted in the course of employment through, for example, contact with a chemical agent like asbestos, falls under the remit of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. Such employees may be eligible for benefit under the occupational injuries benefit scheme or a number of other schemes operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The remit of my Department, in relation to asbestos in the workplace, arises under occupational health and safety policy where the focus is on prevention. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006), which is enforced by the Health and Safety Authority, places obligations on employers and employees to ensure that the risk of exposure to asbestos is eliminated or reduced to a minimum and that any remaining residual risk is adequately controlled in accordance with the legislation.