Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1228. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to bring awards to minor injuries in line with international norms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14439/21]
View answer1234. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the monitoring of the implementation of the new guidelines on personal injury awards; her plans to announce a review period of the guidelines with a view to ascertaining their impact on insurance premiums and the overall reform of the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14544/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1228 and 1234 together.
Insurance reform is a key priority for this Government. It is reflected in the Programme for Government itself, in the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which was launched last December, and in the Justice Plan 2021, which I published recently.
The Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform sets out 66 actions designed to: bring down costs for consumers and business; introduce more competition into the market; prevent fraud and reduce the burden on business, community and voluntary organisations. The Action Plan includes actions to be taken by my department, the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The implementation of the Action Plan is being overseen by the Sub-Group on Insurance Reform within the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment.
Following publication and adoption of the Personal Injuries Guidelines by the Judicial Council, I recently secured Cabinet approval to amend the Judicial Council Act 2019 and the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 to bring the new Guidelines into effect. The necessary legislation is currently progressing through the Oireachtas. As regards monitoring the implementation of the guidelines, I will, in line with my commitments under the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, be reporting to the Government on the implementation and early impact of the Guidelines by the end of the year.
In addition to the adoption and publication of the personal injury guidelines, my department is developing proposals in relation to:
- the Occupiers' Liability Act 1995,
- the discount rate applied to awards in cases of catastrophic injury, and
- the Law Reform Commission Report on the Capping Damages in Personal Injury Actions.
