John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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477. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the victims of crime are left waiting for long periods under the criminal injury compensation scheme; if he has any plans to improve this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22658/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications for compensation under the Scheme and is also responsible for the administration of the Scheme.

Under the terms of paragraph 6 of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted the Tribunal is obliged to determine applications and to award ex-gratia compensation "on the basis of damages awarded under the Civil Liability Acts" and each case is addressed on the basis of its individual circumstances. While applications are processed with the minimum of formality, as compared with court proceedings where compensation is being claimed under the Civil Liability Acts, the administrative arrangements of the Tribunal are operated on an informal basis, in keeping with an underlying principle of the Scheme. Notwithstanding this, in making their decisions Tribunal members must be satisfied that all supporting documentation submitted is in order. In some cases there can be delays pending the availability of all required documentation.

In line with other public bodies the Tribunal must operate within current economic constraints. Regardless, the Tribunal continues to process claims as efficiently as possible within the constraints it faces.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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478. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person will not receive the payment awarded under the criminal injury compensation scheme for 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22705/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications under the Scheme. However, in order to be of assistance in the matter I have had enquiries made with the Tribunal on your behalf.

I understand that the Tribunal award referred to by the Deputy issued under covering letter dated 22 March, 2013, wherein it was stated that the Tribunal's funding for the payment of compensation during 2013 was already fully committed and that it would not be possible to pay the award at the present time.

I further understand that the applicant accepted the award on this understanding on 23 March, 2013. The Tribunal has confirmed that payment of this award will proceed in 2014.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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479. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons awaiting payment under the criminal injury compensation scheme; the length of time each person is waiting for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of applications that fall to be considered by the Tribunal.

I understand from the Tribunal that all information relating to applications is confidential and that no information can be released that might serve to identify an individual applicant. However, in order to be of assistance in the matter the Tribunal has furnished the following table detailing the dates awards were accepted and the number of outstanding payments as of 29 April, 2013.

I refer to Question No. 477 from the Deputy which was also tabled for response today and which sets out the reasons why final payments may be delayed in some cases. The Deputy may also wish to note that, in addition, a small number of outstanding partial payments will be made early next year.