Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of the Garda compensation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55478/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I presume this Deputy is referring to the proposals for a revised Garda compensation scheme for deaths or injuries which are maliciously inflicted upon a member of the Garda Síochána while on duty or in connection with their duties. The details of the revised scheme, which were approved by the Government in July, are set out in the Draft General Scheme of the Garda Síochána Compensation (Malicious Injuries) Bill 2012. The Draft General Scheme is available on my Department's website, www. justice.ie.

Under the current Garda compensation scheme awards are made by the High Court. The reliance on an adversarial approach to determine awards is costly and applicants can wait several years before they receive compensation. All of the parties involved, including the Garda Síochána and the Garda Associations, agree on the need for a revised scheme. A commitment to have these compensation claims dealt with by the State Claims Agency process was included in the Croke Park Agreement. The revised scheme is expected to save about €3 million each year.

Primary legislation is necessary to revise the current Garda compensation scheme. The Government Legislation Programme provides for the publication of the relevant Bill in early 2013.