A review of compensation for minor soft tissue injuries has found that the average assessment made in Ireland was 3.9 times higher than the average in England and Wales over a three year period.
An independent report on injury compensation found that under the Personal Injury Guidelines, the average Irish insurer settlement was 4.9 times higher for minor neck or back injuries when compared to those countries.
The Minister for Enterprise Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke is publishing the report today along with launching a new Injuries Resolution Board Strategy.
"The objective of undertaking this research was to provide necessary and relevant information to support a review of the Personal Injuries Guidelines as provided for in the Government's new Action Plan for Insurance Reform", he said.
Minister Burke said he asked the Injuries Resolution Board to carry out the research in July to examine levels of Irish personal injury awards compared to the UK.
Carried out in collaboration with Deloitte, it analysed over 12,000 awards and settlements made under the Personal Injuries Guidelines between 2022 and 2024
The review looked assessments by the Injuries Resolution Board and settlements made by three major Irish insurers.
The data was used to provide an analysis of compensation for minor neck and back soft-tissue injuries sustained in road traffic accidents, comparing Ireland with England and Wales in the timeframe.
The Department of Enterprise said the report shows that Ireland’s award levels for these categories of injuries remain greater than those in England and Wales.
Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Trade Promotion, AI and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth said: "We can see that reforms delivered by Government have had the positive impact intended, but we now know that further reforms introduced by the UK have widened the difference in compensation levels between both jurisdictions."
Mr Burke said the new Injuries Resolution Board Strategic Plan 2025-2029 is ambitious and "seeks to enhance the work of the Board to deliver an even greater service for claimants, respondents and society as a whole".
He said: "By delivering a fair, prompt, and cost-effective outcomes for personal injury claims the Injuries Resolution Board contributes strongly to the objectives of the new Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.
"In 2024 alone, €76 million was saved through the work of the Injuries Resolution Board in the avoidance of legal costs associated with litigation."
