Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hepatitis C Tribunal.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Question:

82 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the amount spent to date on advertising the Hepatitis C Tribunal; the number of applications received by the tribunal at the end of each month since it was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10730/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The amount spent on advertising by the compensation tribunal up to 12 May 1996 is £412,182.36. This is the latest date for which invoices are available.

The tribunal was established on 15 December 1995 and the closing date for receipt of applications is 17 June 1996. The number of applications received at the end of each month is tabulated as follows and to date a total of 491 applications has been received.

To end of:—	Number of new applications	Cumulative number of applications
January 1996	52
February 1996	27	79
March 1996	228	307
April 1996	70	377
27 May 1996	114	491

The tribunal has to date heard 64 cases, two of which have been adjourned for further hearing. Awards have been made in the other 62 claims, the total amount awarded being £6.67 million. Awards are being paid within 2-3 weeks of acceptance. The size of awards ranges from £15,500 to 324,321 and no award has been rejected, Thirteen of the awards are provisional.

The tribunal has claims fixed for hearing up to and including 31 July 1996.