Under the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (“the Order”) lump sum payments may be made to certain persons disabled by a disease to which the Order applies, or to dependants of persons who were so disabled before they died.

The diseases to which the Order applies are pneumoconiosis, byssinosis, diffuse mesothelioma, primary carcinoma of the lung (where accompanied by asbestosis or diffuse pleural thickening) and diffuse pleural thickening.

These Regulations amend the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1988 to increase amounts payable under the Order. The increase in each case is 1.5 per cent., rounded up or down to the nearest £1 as appropriate.

The amounts payable to dependants are increased by up to a further £5,000 to partially equalise payments to those disabled by the diseases to which the Order applies and payments to their dependants.