From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
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Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, today announced the commencement of the second phase of the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022.
Announcing the commencement Minister Calleary said:
"Reform of the insurance sector through the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) has been a priority for me since my appointment as Minister. Today’s announcement of the commencement of the second phase of the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 demonstrates the progress in this area. Changes introduced today will strengthen the PIAB process and reduce the potential for identity fraud and ensure accuracy in relation to payment of resolved claims."
It will mean that from today, 4 September 2023:
PIAB have communicated with relevant stakeholders in recent months to provide advance notice of the new changes. Minister Calleary also issued a press release on 29 May 2023 providing a fourteen-week period of notification to the public.
Minister Calleary further added:
"Transformation of the PIAB through the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act is an important pillar in the government’s ‘Action Plan for Insurance Reform’. The focus for government remains to reduce the costs of personal injury claims and facilitate reductions in insurance premiums while ensuring that claims are efficiently and successfully resolved for those deserving.
"I intend to commence the third and final phase of the Act with all elements relating to the introduction of a mediation service and the remaining provisions of the Act before year end and will continue to work with PIAB and my department on its enactment."
Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2023.
The Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022 was signed into law by the President on 13 December 2022. The Act amends the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003-2019 to increase the number of personal injury claims settled through PIAB and to reduce the expense and time associated with personal injuries litigation.
Phase 1 of the Act commenced with effect from 13 February 2023, with phase 2 commencing from today, 4 September 2023.
PIAB independently assesses claims for compensation arising from personal injuries sustained as a result of a motor, workplace, or public liability incident. Under the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Acts 2003-2019, all personal injury claims, with certain exceptions, such as medical negligence cases, must be submitted to PIAB unless they are settled by the parties involved at an early stage.
The Central Bank’s reporting under the National Claims Information Database shows that claims settled through PIAB are settled faster and have much lower legal costs than those settled by litigation, despite having similar award levels for claimants.
The Programme for Government contains commitments to deliver an insurance system which is both affordable and reliable and one which underpins a vibrant economy. The ‘Action Plan for Insurance Reform’ was launched on 8 December 2020. The Action Plan sets out 66 actions for reform to bring down the costs for consumers and business and to introduce more competition into the market. Approximately 90% of the actions in the plan have been delivered.