Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 6

Written Answers. - Defence Forces' Occupational Injuries.

Michael Bell

Question:

287 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the number of cases of hearing damage submitted to his Department for financial settlement since 1990; the number of cases settled in each year; the sums paid in compensation in each year to 31 January 1997; the number of cases on hand; the highest sum paid in compensation; the number of personnel engaged in assessing/administering such claims in his Department and the Defence Forces; whether any cases of post traumatic stress have been submitted since 1990; and, if so, the numbers involved. [3638/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

Figures are readily available from 1993 only. The number of civil legal claims alleging hearing impairment received in my Department was as follows:

1993	104
1994	496
1995	1,812
1996	2,522

The number of cases settled each year was as follows:

1993	10
1994	16
1995	36
1996	133

The amount of compensation including legal costs paid by the Department in respect of loss of hearing claims in each of the four years was as follows:

1993	£251,183.27
1994	£666,011.52
1995	£1,362,820.92
1996	£4,865,862.17

The number of these cases on hand is 5,232.

Twelve Civil Servants, including two jobsharers, and 25 military personnel are engaged full-time in assessing/administering such claims in the Department and the Defence Forces. Two cases alleging post traumatic stress have been submitted.