Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

206. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases in line to proceed to a member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal for consideration, namely, cases in which the documents necessary are available to allow a member of the tribunal to consider an application; the date on which and position in line of the next available case to be taken up by a member of the tribunal for consideration; and the date on which the specific application was first submitted by the applicant. [11974/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, The Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal administers the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted (the General Scheme) and the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted on Prison Officers (the Prison Officer Scheme).  Under the terms of the Schemes, the Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual decisions on applications for compensation and I have no role in the matter.

Tribunal Members, who are practising barristers and practising solicitors in the Courts system, provide their services on a part-time basis to the Tribunal.  In making their decisions, Tribunal Members must be satisfied that all supporting documentation has been provided to enable them reach a decision on the application and it may be the case that they will seek further documentation to inform their decision.  Therefore the time taken to process an application can vary widely from case to case. In addition, there may be circumstances where owing to the nature of the serious injury to the victim it can take a considerable amount of time (in some cases a number of years) before their treating consultant is in a position to give a final prognosis.

I have been informed by the Tribunal that three general scheme decisions have been arrived at by the Tribunal to date in 2019. These relate to applications received in date ranges from January 2009 to October 2015. In addition there are currently two further general scheme cases assigned to Tribunal members for direction on how to proceed.