asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the inordinate delay involved in dealing with the thousands of cases presently awaiting a decision with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal; and if he will take all steps open to him especially by way of provision of additional staff in order to accelerate the work of the tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal.
160.
Limerick East): I am aware that there is currently a delay of approximately 18 months in processing applications before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. This delay is partly due to the increase in recent years in the number of applications for compensation being received by the tribunal and also, the necessity to keep the amount of money which the tribunal may pay out in any one year within the allocation for that year.
In 1980 the number of applications received by the tribunal was 509 compared with 1,750 in 1984. In 1985, to the end of November, 1,811 applications had been lodged with the tribunal. The amount paid out in 1980 in respect of awards totalled £1,096,123 as compared with an expected outturn of £3,990,000 in 1985. In accordance with a decision in the national plan - Building on Reality 1985-1987— I am reviewing the conditions of the scheme with a view to reducing its impact on the Exchequer. In relation to the staffing of the offices of the tribunal, no exception can be made from the staffing restrictions on recruitment which apply throughout the public service. This is a matter of Government policy and, while I accept that it must have inevitable consequences in terms of some delays in the offices of the tribunal, there is no question at present of changing the situation.