Helen McEntee

Justice Minister Helen McEntee today confirmed that the personal injury guidelines drawn up and agreed by the Judicial Council will apply from Saturday 24 April.

The guidelines will apply to applications already made to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) except where an assessment has been made.

The Book of Quantum will continue to apply where PIAB assessments have been made or where a hearing is already before the courts.

Ms McEntee said: “This is a very significant step in meeting our commitment to make insurance more affordable for consumers, businesses and community groups.

“The commencement of the personal injuries guidelines should reduce costs, and in time, boost competition in the Irish insurance market.

“It is now important that the insurance industry follows through and brings down the cost of insurance.”

Robert Troy, minister of state with responsibility for trade promotion, digital and company regulation, said the guidelines “should have a dampening effect on the level of personal injuries awards which we know have been too high for too long”.

Under the Action Plan on Insurance Reform, the Department of Justice will report on the implementation and early impact of the personal injury guidelines by December 2021.

The guidelines are required, under the terms of the Judicial Council Act 2019, to be reviewed within three years of being adopted and every three years thereafter.