Vol. 576 No. 3
32 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the steps he intends to take to reduce the substantial amounts of money paid out in personal injuries, other than hearing loss claims, to members of the Defence Forces, civilians working for the Defence Forces and other civilians, in view of the fact that almost ?25 million has been paid out in respect of such claims over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29450/03]
Personal injury claims against the Minister for Defence encompass a wide variety of situations. The Defence Forces and civilian employees are engaged in a variety of workshops and barracks. There is a large fleet of vehicles on the road almost 365 days a year. In addition, the Army, Navy and Air Corps are engaged in training exercises and operational and overseas commitments. The €25 million was paid out over a five year period in respect of a wide-ranging number of claims covering incidents relating to all of the above.
I am concerned to ensure that such claims are kept to a minimum and that when they do arise they are dealt with expeditiously and efficiently. It was for this purpose that the Government established the State Claims Agency which formally took charge of its new responsibilities on 3 December 2001, with the resources necessary to dispose of claims against Departments as cost-effectively as possible. To date, I have referred 344 cases for the attention of the agency, 74 of which have been settled. Some 507 cases remain to be disposed by my Department including claims predating the State Claims Agency and in certain categories not encompassed in the agency's brief.
The agency also has a role in the overseeing of risk management. A working committee comprising military personnel, representatives from the State Claims Agency and Department officials, has been established to examine incidents giving rise to claims and trends emerging in order to identify and obviate, if possible, the underlying causes of injury to civilian and Defence Forces personnel.
Question No. 33 answered with Question No. 8.
Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 15.
