Vol. 533 No. 6
383 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consideration given by him to date to the cost to the Exchequer of reintroducing a criminal injuries compensation scheme to pay compensation to the innocent victims of violent crime; and the total cost to the Exchequer of making such payments under the old scheme in each of the past five years when it fully operated to provide for the payment of such compensation. [9693/01]
A review of the criminal injuries compensation scheme is being undertaken by my Department at present. It is intended that the review will be a comprehensive one, taking into account all relevant questions and situations. Submissions for proposed changes to the scheme have been invited from relevant organisations and these submissions are receiving consideration as part of the review.
In addition, my Department is consulting with other authorities in relation to the operation of criminal injuries compensation schemes in other countries to identify best practice in advance of making proposals in relation to the Irish scheme.
I should point out that, while the scheme is a non-statutory one, any proposals for changes to the scheme, which may be recommended as part of the review, will require the approval of Government and the revised scheme will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
I am informed that the expenditure of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal for the last five years of the old scheme was as follows:
1982 – £2.60 million;
1983 – £3.49 million;
1984 – £2.33 million;
1985 – £3.98 million;
1986 – £2.76 million.
