Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether it is appropriate that the injuries board should have on its website an interactive guide (details supplied) showing the way a person may receive compensation for an injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2811/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) was established in April, 2004 as part of the Government's insurance reform programme, with the aim of allowing certain classes of personal injury claim, where liability is uncontested, to be settled without the need for the costs associated with litigation.

PIAB has changed the personal injury claims process in a wholly positive way, with claimants' waiting time reduced, on average, by more than 27 months, from 3 years under the old system to 7 months, and overheads now reduced by some €50 million per annum. Awards are made at the same levels as the Courts and according to a Book of Quantum published by PIAB in 2004.

While the content and format of the PIAB website is a day-to-day matter for the Board itself, I understand that the estimator is a visual display of the information contained in the Book of Quantum and is representative of the range of values contained therein. It is of particular benefit to claimants who may not have the same access to this information as insurance companies, who would typically be the respondents in personal injury cases.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will review the book of quantum to bring awards into line with other OECD countries regarding the injuries board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2812/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003, a function of the Board is to prepare and publish a Book of Quantum containing general guidelines as to the amounts that may be awarded or assessed in respect of specified types of injury.

The Book of Quantum was compiled by independent, internationally recognised consultants based on data from Courts, insurers and self-insured sectors and it was published in 2004.

The Book of Quantum shows, for various injuries, the ranges of compensation to which people may be entitled. Through the use of the Book of Quantum the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) delivers assessments at the same level as those awarded by the Courts in a prompt and transparent manner at considerable savings and significantly quicker than the previous adversarial system. Since its establishment it has been responsible for a significant reduction in the costs of insurance premiums. This has been of significant benefit to consumers and businesses in Ireland. I have no plans at this time for the Book to be reviewed.