(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will admit occupational deafness as a prescribed occupational disease for the purpose of the Social Welfare (Occupational Injuries) Act, 1966.

The question of including occupational deafness as a prescribed disease under the occupational injuries scheme has been under consideration in my Department for some time. I am agreeable in principle to admit it as a prescribed disease but some further investigations need to be carried out with a view to defining the range of industries and areas which should be covered. In this connection I am awaiting the outcome of a study on noise at present being carried out on behalf of the National Board for Science and Technology and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.

337.

(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce a social welfare appeals tribunal; and if he will extend the appeals system to cover appeals under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

As I have already announced I intend to appoint a review group to examine the social welfare code. Matters which will be considered in the context of the review are the present social welfare appeals system and the operation of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, including appeals under that scheme.

338.

(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he proposes to introduce legislation to compel farmers and the self-employed to pay social insurance contributions.

339.

(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he intends to publish the white paper on a national income-related pension scheme provided for in the Second National Understanding.

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.

My Department have put a considerable amount of work into the preparation of a National Pension Plan covering employees and the self-employed including farmers. The proposals are being recosted in the light of the recent budget changes in social welfare payments and when the costings are ready I will be putting the proposals to the Government for approval with a view to publication of a White Paper.

340.

(Waterford) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the Government's position on the EEC proposal for a directive on equal treatment for men and women in occupational social security schemes.

A draft instrument circulated by the EEC Commission in May 1981 on the implementation of the principal of equal treatment for men and women in occupational social security schemes is still at the consultation stage and proposals have not yet been submitted to the Council of Ministers. The Government's position on the final proposal will take account of the views of interested organisations which are being consulted on the matter.