Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hearing Impairment Claims.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

112 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the number of cases in relation to deafness compensation claims which have been heard by the courts in 1997; the number of cases which have been settled without a court hearing; the overall cost to the State of these claims in 1997; the number of cases which have been defended by him in court in 1997; the outcome of those cases; and the costs involved. [2332/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

During 1997 settlements were reached in 1,125 cases and court awards following hearing were made in 29 cases. A further 33 cases were successfully defended or withdrawn. Compensation of £27.422 million was paid in respect of the 1,187 cases finalised. Plaintiffs' costs amounting to £3.523 million have been paid to date. Further costs in respect of cases finalised during 1997 have yet to be received.