Vol. 514 No. 5
184 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount paid to date to members of An Garda Síochána due to hearing loss claims; the legislative framework under which these moneys were paid out; the number of further claims lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4782/00]
In the 17 year period since 1982 a total of 96 serving and retired members of the Garda Síochána have lodged claims for hearing loss against the State. Of these 96 cases, 12 claims have been settled at a cost of £317,580. this represents an average settlement of £26,465 per case. A Supreme Court decision on 7 December 1999 in relation to the level of awards in army hearing loss cases is likely to significantly reduce the overall costs of these claims. Two claims have been withdrawn and 82 are pending.
These claims arise from civil legal actions taken against the Minister-State and payment of the settlement amounts is made from subhead 1 of the Garda Vote.
