Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
484. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases lodged with and not settled by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal as at 31 December 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1621/19]
View answer485. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases settled by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal in 2018; the cost of these settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1622/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal administers the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted. Under the terms of the Scheme, the Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual decisions on applications for compensation.
I can advise the Deputy that in 2018 a total of €6,442,241.90 compensation was paid to 18 applicants under the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted.
Because of the manner in which cases are recorded, in particular applications which are received but not actively pursued by the applicant, it is not possible at this time to provide the Deputy with the number of active cases not settled by the Tribunal. I have requested an assessment of the caseload of the Tribunal and have asked my officials to examine this assessment and to obtain the views of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal in this regard. I will contact the Deputy when this exercise has been completed.
I can further advise the Deputy that because of the length of time since the Scheme was last revised, my Department has submitted a request for a review to the Law Reform Commission (LRC) for inclusion in its Programme of Law Reform.
