Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is in place to help those who have suffered personal injuries as a result of a violent crime committed against them. The scheme is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal which is independent in making decisions on individual applications and in its decisions on appeals.

Currently, paragraph 20 of the Scheme provides that applications for compensation should be made as soon as possible and must be made in writing within 3 months from the date of the incident causing the injury. However, the Tribunal can, in exceptional circumstances, accept late applications up to a maximum period of 2 years following the incident.

I brought a Memo to Government in December and received approval to amend the Scheme. This amendment concerns the treatment of late applications in certain categories since the commencement of the revised Scheme in April 2021. I will be in a position to announce details of the new arrangements in the coming weeks.

In the case of minors the position under the Scheme is that where the applicant was a minor at the time of the event giving rise to the criminally inflicted injury, the time limits in place commence from the moment the applicant reaches the age of majority (that is, 18 years of age).