Vol. 430 No. 7
40 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice if she will establish the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal on a statutory basis so that the victims of crime can be properly compensated; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted was introduced in 1974. The effective date of the scheme was 1 October 1972. The tribunal, which was established to administer the scheme, has in the period from its inception to the end of 1992 paid 11,610 awards of compensation having a total value of £40.275 million. Within the most recent 5 year period, 1988 to 1992 inclusive, 2,362 awards amounting to £16.816 million have been paid. The tribunal clearly has a very good record in relation to compensating victims of crime.
I would remind the Deputy that the scheme was amended by a previous Government with effect from 1 April 1986 for the express purpose of controlling the escalating cost of the scheme on the Exchequer at that time. I would wish to be in a position to increase the provision for payment of compensation to victims of crime and to this end the matter of additional funding for the tribunal is kept under constant review in my Department. However, as in the case of all public services, funding for criminal injuries compensation has to be allocated on the basis of requirement, competing demands for other services and for the limited financial resources available and the overall budgetary situation.
I have no proposals to place the scheme on a statutory basis.
