Explanatory Memorandum

Mesothelioma, etc., Act (Northern Ireland) 2008

2008 CHAPTER 9

2 July 2008

Commentary on Sections

Mesothelioma lump sum payments

Section 1: Lump sum payments

Section 1 provides for the Department to make a lump sum payment to either a person with diffuse mesothelioma, or to their dependant if the person with diffuse mesothelioma is deceased.

Subsection (2) provides that entitlement to a lump sum payment is dependent on satisfying certain conditions which are specified in section 2.

Subsection (3) provides that regulations may—

Subsection (4) provides that where more than one dependant may claim, the Department will decide whether the payment is paid to one or more of them. This could happen, for example, when a person with diffuse mesothelioma does not have a wife or husband, or civil partner, who was living with them, but has three children under the age of 16.

“Dependant” attracts the same meaning as it is given in the 1979 Order (see section 11). Dependants are—