I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 to 215, inclusive, together.
The Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted and the General Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Inflicted on Prisons Officers operate in tandem. Applications, under both Schemes, are processed in chronological order by date received, and progressed as necessary documentation becomes available in respect of the case in question.
Separate financial allocations are in place for both Schemes to support both operating alongside each other. Compensation awarded by the Tribunal to Prison Officers is paid from the Prisons Vote (Vote 21).
I am advised that, in a minority of cases, a Prison Officer will apply to both the Tribunal and PIAB. Where the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is aware that an applicant is contemplating or has commenced civil proceedings in relation to an incident which is the basis for their application to the Tribunal it is, and has been since its establishment, Tribunal policy to await the outcome of such proceedings before recommencing the processing of the application concerned.