Vol. 573 No. 2
78 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposed timetable for the introduction of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003 and the establishment of the new board; and the way in which and when the proposed book of quan tum for personal injury claims is expected to be published. [24713/03]
On 27 May 2003 the Government approved the priority drafting and publication of the general scheme of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003. It is intended to introduce the published Bill into the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly and enact it by the end of the year, 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 personal injuries assessment board operations early in 2004.
