andJ. Lynch asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state (1) the maximum individual weekly payments under the Workmen's Compensation Acts from 1930 to date, (2) the average weekly rate of wages at the time of each alteration in the rate of payment, and (3) the percentage increase in premiums charged by insurance companies at the time of each increase.

I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report tables showing particulars under headings (1) and (2). It is not possible to give an average weekly rate of wages covering all occupations and all areas. Such information as is available is contained in table (2). In regard to (3), I cannot give the information sought as I have no function in the matter.

The tabular statement is as follows:

* Although the maximum individual weekly payment remained at 50/- under the Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Act, 1953, the Act provided, as from 1st October, 1953, for the payment of supplemental allowances to an injured workman in respect of a wife who was married to him at the time of the accident and in respect of each of two children under the age of 15 years, born to him not later than 10 months after the accident. The maximum weekly supplemental allowance in respect of the wife is 12/- and in respect of each child 7/-.

(2) (a) Average weekly rate of wages of adult male agricultural labourers without free house or allowances of any kind at the dates shown:

(b) Average weekly earnings of adult males in the industries covered by the Census of Industrial Production:

NOTE: Particulars for previous years are not available.