Vol. 477 No. 7
61 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the provisions, if any, there are to indemnify public servants in respect of personal injuries caused to them by unlawful acts by third parties while in the course of their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10235/97]
My responsibility is confined to the Civil Service and I will set out the provisions applying to civil servants who are injured in the course of their duties as a result of unlawful acts committed by third parties.
In such circumstances, the injuries are regarded as occupational injuries and the medical care costs incurred by the injured civil servant — doctors' fees, prescription medicines etc. — are refunded.
In addition, the paid sick leave arising from the injury is not counted against total allowable paid sick leave. This means that an injured civil servant can count on at least six months' sick leave on full pay followed by six months on half pay in such circumstances, regardless of whether he or she had exhausted their normal entitlement to paid sick leave.
Civil Service Departments have the authority to make ex gratia payments, up to a limit of £1,000 in any case, to civil servants who are physically injured as a result of assaults on them by members of the public with whom they come in contact in their official duties. If a payment in excess of that limit was considered warranted, the Department could approach the Department of Finance for authority to pay a larger amount.
There is no provision for support for civil servants to assist them in seeking legal redress in respect of personal injuries caused to them by the unlawful acts of third parties.
