A working group to examine the high cost of medical negligence claims has been established.
According to Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, the group, which is chaired by Dr Rhona Mahony, will focus on high value claims.
Independent Deputy Michael Lowry told the Dáil that over the last 10 years, damages of €1.8 billion have been paid by the State and the figure is rising rapidly.
He said the escalation in claims is a major drain on resources and asked if the state would consider putting a cap on claims.
Mr Lowry said our system has created a minefield and a money pit.
Minister Mc Grath said that 59% of claims resolved by the State Claims Agency in 2021 were resolved without court proceedings being served.
"Some 37% of claims concluded by the clinical claims team in 2021 where damages were paid, involved the mediation process, compared with 25% in 2020," he said.
He said, ultimately, there is a need to reduce the number of claims being brought and, over time, the patient safety strategy will help here.
