Debate contribution: Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on .
- MLA
- Mr Gordon Lyons
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 20 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5798377
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I beg to move
This statutory rule (SR) makes amendments in relation to the lump sum payment scheme under the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers' Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1979. The regulations make positive amendments to equalise payments made to dependants, bringing the amounts into line with payments made to sufferers. A clear, relevant date for the purposes of calculating awards is also being introduced along with clarification of to whom payment is to be made where a person makes a claim but dies before it can be paid.
Outdated references to medical boards that no longer exist are to be removed along with redundant top-up awards.
The regulations are considered technical in nature, in that they simplify and clarify the legislation underpinning the 1979 scheme. Aligning payments made to dependants with those made to sufferers can be seen only as a positive change, so I ask Members to support the motion.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Committee for Communities for the positive way in which it has dealt with the regulations. Its prompt consideration of them in what are, I accept, exceptional circumstances will enable the legislation to be made in a time frame that enables people here to benefit from the changes from 31 October. I therefore commend the motion to the House.
215 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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