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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Jul 1992

Vol. 422 No. 4

Written Answers. - Assaults on Civil Servants.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

65 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the number of assaults suffered by civil servants due to the performance of their official functions; and if he will outline the steps he proposes to take to ensure the protection of such staff in future and provide for a formal scheme of compensation for civil servants who are victims of such assaults.

While Departments are not required to report cases of assaults on their staff to me, I usually become aware of such cases through applications by Departments for benefits available to the victims of such assaults. Such cases are largely concentrated in the Prison Service. Elsewhere in the Civil Service, my information suggests that assaults on staff are not frequent or widespread. Indeed, I am aware of only one case in 1990 and three in 1991.

It is for Departments to take appropriate measures to minimise the instance of assaults on their staff. General instructions issued by my Department in 1986 provided that Departments should regularly review and, if necessary, improve such preventive measures in the light of cases of assault reported to them. I have no reason to doubt that this instruction is being complied with, particularly in those areas where staff are most likely to be placed in confrontational situations.

All civil servants who are assaulted may apply for various forms of compensation. These are outlined in a circular issued by my Department in 1986. Medical expenses incurred as a result of an assault are usually reimbursed by the employing Department or the Department of Social Welfare, depending on whether or not an officer is established. Sick leave with pay may be granted for periods of absence resulting from an assault and such sick leave is not combined with normal sick leave in determining cut-off points for sick leave at full pay, half pay and pension rate. Compensation may be given for any personal property, clothing, etc. damaged in an assault. Should a civil servant have to retire as a result of an assault, or die within seven years of an assault and as a direct result of it, various benefits are payable to the officer or his-her dependants under the Civil Service Injury Warrant provisions. The Injury Warrant benefits payable to the officer would be additional to normal Civil Service retirement benefits.

As far as compensation for factors other than out of pocket expenses is concerned, there is a formal scheme of compensation in existence in the Prison Service. Applications for such compensation by other civil servants are dealt with on anad hoc basis and, given the small number of such cases, I am satisfied that a formal scheme is not necessary.
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