Vol. 403 No. 1
58 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice if increased funding will be made available to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal in 1991, in view of the delays now being experienced in paying out compensation to victims.
151 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice whether he has satisfied himself regarding the speed with which compensation is paid under the Criminal Injuries Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 151 together. Payment of awards under the criminal injuries compensation scheme are made as quickly as possible, within the resources available.
Two million pounds was provided in the Estimates in each of the years 1988, 1989 and 1990, for the payment of compensation awarded by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. In addition, £4 million was made available by way of Supplementary Estimate in 1988 and an extra £0.34 million was provided from savings elsewhere in 1989.
Against this background it can be taken that the matter of possible extra funding for the tribunal is kept under constant review.
Deputies will appreciate that the amount of funding to be provided for this scheme as with all public services, has to be decided on the basis of requirements, the competing demands for other services and the overall budgetary situation.
