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 immediately before they died.

These Regulations further amend the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1988 so as to increase the amount payable as prescribed under the Order. The increase in each case is 3.1 per cent, rounded up or down to the nearest £1 as appropriate.

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.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this rule as it has no impact on the costs of business.