Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 5

Written Answers. - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

73 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the number of compensation claims for post-traumatic stress syndrome lodged against his Department during the past three years; the total compensation claimed; the number of cases settled; the number still outstanding in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17499/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Personal injury claims are made on the basis of alleged negligence by the defendants. Each claim against my Department is dealt with on its own particular merits in the light of legal advice received.

Some 23 personal injury claims alleging post-traumatic stress disorder – PTSD – have been made against the Minister for Defence in the last three years and are not yet finalised. In addition, two claims alleging post-traumatic stress disorder as an ancillary injury in consequence of an accident have also been received in that period. Liability in all of these cases is still in issue.

The Defence Forces have for some time operated a stress management and PTSD programme, the purpose of which is to educate personnel in stress recognition and to provide support to personnel so that they can deal with trauma and stressful situations in an appropriate and timely manner. This programme is implemented through the Defence Forces psychologist, the personnel support service and the chaplaincy service.