Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts, 1941 and 1945 provide for a scheme of compensation for members of An Garda Síochána who are maliciously injured in the course of their duty or in relation to the performance of their duties as members of An Garda Síochána and for the dependants of members who have died from injuries maliciously inflicted on them.

Under the Acts, I as Minister, have the responsibility to approve or refuse applications for compensation, having regard to the circumstances of the case and the legislation. This assessment is discharged by designated officials of my Department. Before deciding if an applicant should be authorised to apply to the High Court for compensation in respect of the injury, all medical reports submitted by the applicant, together with a report on the incident by the Garda Commissioner and a report on the injury by the Garda Chief Medical Officer are examined.  Depending on the details of any particular case, this process may take a considerable amount of time.

The necessary reports in relation to this member's application were received in my Department on 8 November 2017. My Department informed the member's solicitors on 16 November, 2017 that it was proposed to recommend a refusal of this application, but before a final decision is made in the matter, the solicitors have been given an opportunity to forward a further submission and medical reports on the matter. 

Once a further submission is to hand, the application will be considered in line with the terms of the above named Acts. A final decision will be reached and the member's solicitors will be informed of the outcome.