43 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the existing procedures for members of the FCA who are injured during the course of their duties with the Defence Forces and who are obliged to seek loss of earnings compensation; and if he proposes to change these procedures.

Members of the FCA who are injured in the course of their duties may apply for compensation under a non-statutory compensation scheme administered by my Department. The scheme includes provision for compensation for loss of earnings and for disablement.

I have no proposals for changes in these arrangements.

The scheme does not solve the problem and I ask the Minister to deal with this anomaly because members of the FCA who are injured in the course of their duties and unable to work are also at the loss of earnings from their employer. They do not have recourse to the scheme until they have proved that there has been negligence by the Department. This is causing grave concern to members of the FCA who have been injured. Will the Minister look into this matter as it is causing grave concern?

I will look at the matter again.

It could be three months before a person gets compensation for loss of income from their employment and their family suffer as a result.

I will have the matter examined and I will communicate with the Deputy.