John O'Donoghue
Question:189 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to expedite the hearing of claims under the Garda Compensation Acts, 1941 and 1945; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11415/97]
Written Answers. - Garda Compensation Claims.
A problem has arisen with certain claims by gardaí for compensation under the Garda Síochána Acts, 1941 and 1945. As a result of a judgment in the High Court last year claims, where the injury was minor and where the duty being performed at the time of injury was considered by the Garda Commissioner not to have involved special risk, cannot be processed under the Acts, About 90 per cent of claims for compensation under the Acts fall into this category.
I established a committee to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda compensation scheme operating under the Acts and, also, the implications of the High Court judgment. The compensation review committee is comprised of officials from the Departments of Justice, Finance and Enterprise and Employment and representatives of the Chief State Solicitor, the Attorney General, the Garda Commissioner and the Garda representative bodies. It, also, has a medical representative and an independent chairman. The review committee has met on a number of occasions and its deliberations are at an advanced stage. It is expected that the committee will publish its report in the next few months.