Vol. 564 No. 2
93 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence the total number of claims for damages for deafness determined in court or settled out of court at the latest date for which figures are available; the total amount paid out in terms of damages or legal costs; the total number of such claims outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8939/03]
By 28 February 2003, a total of 16,571 claims had been received in my Department from current and former members of the Defence Forces in respect of loss of hearing allegedly caused during their military service. Some 322 claims have been determined in court and 13,854 have been disposed of out of court, mainly through settlements, leaving a total of 2,395 claims outstanding at that date. A total of €262 million has been paid in respect of hearing loss claims including almost €86 million in plaintiffs' legal costs.
Question No. 94 answered with Question No. 61.
