Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013
498. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider the introduction of a system of collateral benefit reimbursement; if she will provide details on the total savings envisaged in her Department if such a measure was introduced in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34334/13]
View answerSocial welfare legislation does not currently provide for reimbursement to the Department by insurance companies in cases where adjustments may have been made to special damages awards on foot of social welfare payments received by plaintiffs.
The Department has undertaken a considerable amount of background work on this matter, including direct engagement with the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and the State Claims Agency, as well as extensive discussions with counterparts in Northern Ireland where a system of benefits reimbursement is in operation. Work in this area is continuing within the Department.
On the basis of an exercise undertaken in conjunction with the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, it is tentatively estimated that programme savings of the order of €21 million per annum could potentially be secured.
