§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Social Security how many applications for industrial injury benefit have been made from persons suffering from motor neuron disease during each of the last five years.
§ Mr. LoughlinI regret that the information requested is not available, since industrial injury benefit statistics only relate to successful claims to benefit and motor neuron disease can neither arise as an industrial accident nor as a prescribed disease.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Social Security if she will refer motor neuron disease to the Advisory Council on Industrial Injuries for prescription as an industrial disease.
§ Mr. LoughlinNo: on present knowledge this disease would not satisfy the requirements for prescription set out in section 56(2) of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1965. It has so far been seen as a progressive disorder characterised by wasting and weakness of the voluntary muscles, with no evidence of any relationship between trauma and the disease.