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Compensation Awards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Questions (477)

John O'Mahony

Question:

477. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the victims of crime are left waiting for long periods under the criminal injury compensation scheme; if he has any plans to improve this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22658/13]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications for compensation under the Scheme and is also responsible for the administration of the Scheme.

Under the terms of paragraph 6 of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted the Tribunal is obliged to determine applications and to award ex-gratia compensation "on the basis of damages awarded under the Civil Liability Acts" and each case is addressed on the basis of its individual circumstances. While applications are processed with the minimum of formality, as compared with court proceedings where compensation is being claimed under the Civil Liability Acts, the administrative arrangements of the Tribunal are operated on an informal basis, in keeping with an underlying principle of the Scheme. Notwithstanding this, in making their decisions Tribunal members must be satisfied that all supporting documentation submitted is in order. In some cases there can be delays pending the availability of all required documentation.

In line with other public bodies the Tribunal must operate within current economic constraints. Regardless, the Tribunal continues to process claims as efficiently as possible within the constraints it faces.

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