On 27 May 2003 the Government approved the priority drafting and publication of the general scheme of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill. It is intended to introduce the published Bill into the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly and enact by year-end, allowing the Personal Injuries Assessment Board to be up and running and hearing cases early in 2004.
The main objective of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board is to reduce the cost of delivery of compensation. It is not designed to reduce the level of awards. It will initially deal with employer liability cases where liability issues do not arise.
It will subsequently be extended to public liability cases and claims involving motor accidents.
Considerable advances have been made in preparing the book of quantum. It is expected that this will be publicly available in advance of commencement of PIAB operations early in 2004.