Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2011
386 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ensure that all payments are made under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal when the tribunal has found in favour of claimants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33312/11]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications under the scheme. In this regard, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me as Minister for Justice and Equality to have any involvement with the applications received.
I can inform the Deputy, as he will be aware, that paragraph 18 of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted provides that compensation is paid by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal out of funds made available to it by the Oireachtas.
During the current financial year, €4.056m was provided to the Tribunal for the payment of compensation and a provision of €4.256m was made available for the payment of compensation during each of the two previous financial years, i.e. 2009 and 2010.
I understand from the Tribunal that the Scheme continues to operate as normal.
