Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the lengthy delay in arranging hearings in respect of criminal injury compensation as in a case of a person (details supplied); and the obstacles to more timely processing of claims. [40912/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware, under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Tribunal is entirely independent in the administration of the Scheme and I have no role in the scheduling of appeal hearings for applicants who are not satisfied with the decision on their application. In relation to the application referred to by the Deputy, the Tribunal considers that there was no undue delay in arranging a hearing date in this instance. I am informed by the Tribunal that the documentation required in connection with the appeal was not received in full until March 2006. I am further informed that a hearing date of 17 November 2006 was offered to the applicant's solicitor, by telephone call on 20 October 2006 and in writing on 25 October 2006 but that this date was refused by the applicant's solicitor on the grounds that it was unsuitable. At this stage, the Tribunal is not in a position to make available an alternative hearing date before the end of the year but has assured me that a new hearing date for the applicant will be arranged early in 2007.