asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what steps, if any, have been taken to expedite the signing of decrees or reports of awards made concerning the hearing of claims for compensation; if he is aware of the discontent and hardships caused through the delay in dealing with these cases.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - AWARDS IN COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
A circular letter was sent on the 12th March to all Clerks of the Peace requesting them to take special steps that there should be no delay in the signing of any decrees or reports made by the judges in their area. The replies to this letter generally state that every effort would be made to speed up the matter, and since its issue the flow of reports and decrees into my Department has steadily increased. The Deputy, of course, understands that in the first instance the preparation of a decree rests with the solicitor for the applicant for compensation, who passes it on to the Clerk of the Peace for signature by the Judge, and in some instances delay has been known to occur in the preparation of a decree by solicitors.