Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date from which the new threshold for the small claims court will apply; and if he proposes to make any other changes in the procedure. [19111/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The consumer strategy group's report, Make Consumers Count, which was published on 18 May 2005, includes a recommendation that the maximum award in the small claims procedure be increased from its current limit of €1,269.74 to €3,000. As I advised at the publication of the CSG's report, the scope and breath of the recommendations contained in the report will require a co-ordinated response from Government. To that end, the Government has approved the establishment of a high level interdepartmental committee to examine the report's recommendations and to report back within three months with a detailed implementation plan. The recommendation to increase the threshold for the small claims procedure will be discussed as part of the deliberations of the high level interdepartmental committee. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which has policy responsibility for the operation of the small claims procedure and which is ultimately responsible for implementing any change to the limit of awards under the procedure will be fully represented on the high level interdepartmental committee.