Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when legislation to place the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal on a statutory footing will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68325/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme continues to play an important and significant role in providing practical support by way of monetary compensation to victims of violent crime. The Government is committed to reforming the Scheme, including by placing it on a statutory footing as provided for in the Programme for Government, and work is currently being advanced in relation to this.

In 2021, the then Government agreed to introduce a revised Scheme and a number of immediate reforms were introduced. This was acknowledged as a first step toward improving the operation of the Scheme. Following this, an inter-departmental working group was established, which is chaired by my Department, to examine matters pertaining to further reform of the Scheme including placing it on a statutory footing.

While this work is continuing, the Law Reform Commission (LRC) is examining the broader topic of victim compensation as part of its Fifth Programme of Law Reform. I understand that the LRC is expected to report shortly.

Reform of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme will need to take into account a recent judgment in the Court of Justice of the European Union.

My Department is considering the implications of this judgment and I expect to bring forward amendments to the Scheme in due course.