Shortlist for new crime compensation board

Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan is reviewing a shortlist of candidates for appointment to the board of the Criminal Injuries…

Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan is reviewing a shortlist of candidates for appointment to the board of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, some five months after the outgoing board lapsed in April.

A spokeswoman for Mr Lenihan said the announcement of the new board was imminent.

However, she added that while the current absence of a board was resulting in no awards being granted or denied, the compensation system was still operational.

"Claims can still be lodged by solicitors, and they are being processed up to the point where a decision would be made."

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Some members of the legal profession have complained at the delays in having a case processed.

There have also been complaints about the time it takes for monies to be released to successful applicants.

The tribunal considers applications for compensation from people who suffer a personal injury or death as a result of a crime of violence.

Compensation may be awarded on the basis of any vouched out-of-pocket expenses, including loss of earnings experienced by the victim or, if the victim has died as a result of the incident, by the dependants of the victim.

The incident where the injury is caused must be reported to gardaí without delay.

The tribunal can also be used by Irish citizens to claim compensation if they have been the victim of violence abroad.

In such cases, the tribunal makes an application for compensation to the authorities in the country where the incident took place.