Vol. 492 No. 3
69 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the limit for the hearing of cases in the small claims court is too low at £600 with reference to the cost to the consumer of day to day items; his views on whether it is reasonable to raise the limit to £1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13915/98]
The limit for small claims was last reviewed and increased under the District Courts rules from £500 to £600 on 22 January, 1996.
My Department is currently undertaking a review of the present limit. This review will include reviewing all available information to establish if the existing limit is sufficient and if not, what that limit should be. If this review finds that the limit should be increased, I will request the District Court Rules Committee to examine the matter with a view to making the necessary rules.
The Deputy might also wish to note that the recently passed Arbitration (International Commercial) Act now brings travel companies which were not previously within ambit of the small claims procedure into the procedure. This will be taken into account as part of the review.
