Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Robert Troy has launched a public consultation seeking views on how to enhance and reform the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).

The number of cases being finalised through PIAB has fallen in recent years.

The ministerial objective is to bring more cases within PIAB’s ambit and reduce the number that progress to litigation.

Cases

Minister Troy said he was considering both administrative and legislative changes to increase the number of cases kept within the PIAB system.

“The overarching principle of my approach is to have more personal injury cases resolved by PIAB in a faster timeframe and with lower costs. I am confident that meaningful reforms will arise in PIAB,” he said.

He asked all interested parties to submit their views and proposals on how to incentivise use of the PIAB model. 

“Given the high cost of insurance is an issue that has an impact on the economy and society, I also encourage responses from members of the public to have their say on the proposed reform of PIAB,” he said.

In line with Action 18 of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is seeking observations from the public and interested parties on the role of PIAB and the operation of the PIAB Acts 2003-2019.

Action

Minister Troy said: “This consultation is an important action in the Government’s insurance reform agenda.

“Reforming the PIAB process has been a top priority for me since taking office and as Minister with responsibility for PIAB. I have met regularly with PIAB and a range of representative bodies to assess the role of PIAB and develop proposals to enhance and reform the agency. 

“The second motor report from the Central Bank clearly shows why reform is necessary. 

“The clear message to the public from the report is, financially, they are hardly any better off going through the legal route for personal injury claims, and indeed it will take nearly twice as long for an almost similar-sized settlement.”

The deadline for submissions or comments is 17 April 2021.

The Programme for Government says real reform of insurance is necessary to deliver a system which underpins a vibrant economy and is both affordable and reliable.