Vol. 442 No. 1
43 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to amend the present scheme of criminal injury compensation; whether the sums allocated in 1994 are sufficient to meet all the claims in respect of which awards have already been made or are likely to be made during 1994; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The scheme of compensation for personal injuries criminally inflicted was amended in 1986 because of escalating costs. I have no plans at present to amend the scheme.
A sum of £1 million has been provided in the 1994 Estimates in respect of the scheme which is unfortunately less than sufficient to pay all the awards which will fall for payment during the year. I would like to have been in a position to secure a larger allocation for the scheme in the Estimates but the Deputy will appreciate that as in the case of all public services, funding for criminal injuries compensation has to be allocated against the background of competing Exchequer demands for other services and the overall budgetary situation. If savings arise elsewhere in the Department of Justice Vote — as has happened in the past — and it is possible for me to divert those savings towards the elimination of some compensation arrears, I shall certainly be glad to do so.
