4th October 2024
The Injuries Resolution Board today publish their Annual Report for 2023. The Board (formerly PIAB) is Ireland’s independent state body established in 2004 to support the fair, prompt and transparent resolution of personal injuries claims without the need for unnecessary litigation. Each year the state body through its work generates millions of euro in savings which would otherwise be spent on pursuing personal injury claims through litigation.
To enhance and reform the agency the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 was enacted in December 2022 and was commenced over three phases in 2023. The Act introduces new functions for the Board, including a wider reporting and research role, allowing the Board retain more complex injury claims, and significantly the introduction of a mediation service to facilitate the resolution of personal injury claims.
In welcoming the publication of the report, Minister Calleary stated:
“Today’s Annual Report from the Injuries Resolution Board provides further evidence of what has been achieved through government’s ‘Action Plan for Insurance Reform’. The report shows a substantial reduction in the cost of personal injury claims since the Action Plan was put in place. Last year the Board’s work generated savings of €75 million which would otherwise have been spent in expensive and prolonged litigation. These are real savings that should be passed onto Insurance policy holders.”
“I am pleased to see the all-time high engagement by stakeholders with the Board in 2023, with the 71% consent rate being the highest achieved for assessments by the Board since establishment.”
Minister Calleary added:
“The introduction of mediation is a step change for resolving injury claims in our country. The service has commenced for employer liability and public liability injury claims and will be introduced for motor injury claims later this year. Mediation is already working and is successful in bringing about an agreed resolution to personal injury claims.
It is imperative that all stakeholders fully commit to supporting the reforms implemented through the Action Plan for Insurance Reform to fully deliver the benefits to businesses, communities and citizens across our country. We said we would bring down the costs of personal injury claims and today’s annual report shows that both the costs and volume of claims have now substantially reduced since the introduction of the Personal Injuries Guidelines."
Link to Report: annual-report-2023.pdf (injuries.ie)
Note to editors
About the Injuries Resolution Board
The Injuries Resolution Board (formerly PIAB) is Ireland’s independent State Body established in 2004 to support the fair, prompt, and transparent resolution of personal injury claims without the need for unnecessary litigation.
The Injuries Resolution Board generates millions of euros in savings which would otherwise be spent on pursuing claims through litigation leading to higher costs for parties to claims and ultimately to policy holders, communities and businesses.
2023 saw the greatest expansion in the Board’s role since it was established in 2004. To enhance and reform the agency the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 was passed by the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President on 13 December 2022. The Act was commenced over three phases in 2023 (13 February, 4 September and 14 December).
Under the new Act the Board was renamed as the Injuries Resolution Board and given new functions. Together with the assessment of compensation for personal injury claims, the Board now offers a mediation service to facilitate the resolution of claims. Mediation for employer liability injury claims was introduced from 14 December 2023, this was extended to public liability injury claims on 8 May 2024, and will be commenced for motor liability injury claims in Q4 2024.
Following its reform the Board now has a wide reporting and research role, retains more complex injury claims, and has introduced new anti-fraud measures. Beginning in 2023 the agency also facilitates the resolution of injury claims under the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Act 2022.
Government’s ‘Action Plan for Insurance Reform’
In December 2020 Government launched the ‘Action Plan for Insurance Reform’. The Action Plan set out 66 actions to bring down costs for business and consumers, introduce more competition into the market and prevent fraud.
The Fourth Implementation Report on the Action Plan was published on 29 February 2024 and shows that 95% of the actions (63 out of the 66) are now considered complete, including all 13 principal actions. Key actions completed include:
- Personal Injuries Guidelines have been given effect
- Amendments to the Occupiers Liability Act 1995 to rebalance the ‘Duty of Care’
- Legislation to strengthen the laws on perjury has been enacted
- Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 to enhance and reform the Injuries Resolution Board (formerly PIAB) has been enacted
- Insurance Fraud Coordination Office has been established
- Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 has been enacted
- Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 has been enacted
- Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market within the Department of Finance has been created
Government is engaging directly with insurers in respect of commitments made to reflect the savings arising from insurance reform in premium costs. Underpinned by the government reforms a number of new insurers/intermediaries have entered or announced their intent to enter the Irish market, including OUTsurance, Revolut, and Fastnet Underwriting. This brings additional capacity and competition to the insurance market benefitting consumers.
ENDS
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