Mary Flaherty
Ceist:29 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, she has to deal with the delays in processing claims through the criminal injuries compensation tribunal.
Ceisteanna — Questions Written Answers. - Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Delays.
I am informed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal that applications are dealt with as expeditiously as possible. In the absence of special circumstances giving rise to delay, applications being lodged with the tribunal at present are likely to be determined by a single member within 12 months of the date of lodgment. In the event of an appeal by the applicant, the waiting period, at present, for an appeal hearing is 24 months approximately.
I am also informed by the tribunal that, while longer delays occurred in the case of some applications lodged in the past due to the large volume of applications made in the period 1980-1986, such delays may be due to factors outside the control of the tribunal. As these cases are disposed of pressure on the tribunal will ease and improvement can be expected in the time taken to deal with current cases.