Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
418. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 583 of 28 January 2014, if he will provide a more specific answer as the individual concerned has received the same reply twice each year for five or six years; and if he will indicate when the tribunal will be established. [6241/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted Tribunal members are entirely independent in the matter of individual applications that fall to be considered by them. I am informed by the Tribunal that this case has not been finalised to-date for reasons beyond their control but I am not in a position to provide further specifics in relation to this matter. I am also advised that the file in question is amongst a batch of files at present with a Tribunal member for consideration. I understand that as soon as a decision comes to hand a copy will be forwarded to the individual concerned.
I can further inform the Deputy that I am in the process of appointing a new Tribunal to administer the Scheme under the terms of Paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted. I have recently appointed a Tribunal Chairperson, Mr. John Cheatle, B.L. who can, under the terms of the Scheme, determine applications and is entirely independent in that regard. I expect to appoint the remaining members in the near future.
