Some 350 miners who worked in the coal pits around Sliabh Ardagh, Co Tipperary, are facing illness in old age and should be compensated, a Government deputy has said.
Ballingarry pits closed in 1991. According to deputy Michael Smith, former coal miners are suffering from illnesses caused by years of working in the pits before modern health and safety standards were introduced.
He said he had received several representations from local miners who now suffer from illnesses such as pneumoconiosis (black lung disease), bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.
The men also suffer from industrial strain injuries such as tinnitus, brought on by poor ear protection while using or being close to machinery, and damage caused to blood supply and muscles by vibrating tools.
Some 19 miners are in receipt of disablement benefit under the Department of Social and Family Affairs occupational injuries benefit as a result of pneumoconiosis. However some of the illnesses caused by the miners' working conditions, such as bronchitis and emphysema, are not on the department's list of occupational prescribed diseases, and so sufferers do not qualify for the benefit scheme.
The benefit is, in any case, a meagre allowance, according to Mr Smith.
"The miners often worked in cramped and suffocating conditions and suffered the effects of noise and vibrating tools. It was a different era as far as health and safety was concerned; there was a lot of innocence about what could cause damage."
He suggested that a compensation board be established to award payments to miners suffering from health problems brought on by their work.
