asked the Minister for Justice when a criminal damages claim of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will be finalised and compensation paid.

The scheme of compensation for personal injuries criminally inflicted is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, which is an independent body, and any inquiries about individual applications should be addressed to the tribunal itself.

The Minister's predecessor said that from 1 April general damages will not be awarded in such cases. Will the Minister tell the House what the position will be in relation to cases already before the tribunal? Apparently this is a case which has already come before the tribunal. Will they be covered for general damages? At what stage does the Minister's decision in relation to general damages take effect?

That is a separate question which has already been discussed in the House by my predecessor. I have given the answer on the specific matter raised and I do not intend to go any further than that.

When will applications before the tribunal cease?

That is a separate question. As I have said, in this and other cases which are before the tribunal, the proper course of action is to put the question to the tribunal itself; it is an independent body.

But it is the Minister who is making the change; it is a change in the scheme——

That is a different question, for cases already before the tribunal. I am trying to be helpful to the Deputy. In respect of cases already before the tribunal the proper course is to put the question to the tribunal itself.