Vol. 547 No. 2
66 Mr. Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the proposed personal injuries assessment board will be established; and the allocation of funding which has been provided in this regard for 2002. [2925/02]
Following this Government's decision to establish a personal injuries assessment board, and in accordance with that decision, an interdepart mental group was set up to progress the establishment of the new board. The group has had a number of meetings.
The group is examining the operational issues surrounding the establishment of an assessment board and the legal implications, including what legislative changes, if any, will be necessary to establish the PIAB. The work includes consideration of how the board should actually work in practice and the procedures it should adopt. The group is nearing completion of its examination of these issues and is preparing a report on how the PIAB should be established and operate. I will consider the report of that group as a matter of urgency and bring proposals to Government.
Sufficient funding is available in the Department's Estimates for 2002, for work related to the establishment of the PIAB. The implementation group is considering what funding will be required in future years.
