Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1944 > Committee of Public Accounts > Report - Appropriation Accounts 1941 - 1942

APPENDIX XIII.

COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF THE SERVICES OF OFFICIALS INJURED IN ACCIDENTS.

The total of £83 13s. 3d. is made up of sums received in six cases. The following are typical instances:—

(1) On the 3rd October, 1940, a Higher Executive Officer was a passenger in a taxi which collided with a lorry. He was incapacitated for duty from the 17th December, 1940, to the 1st January, 1941. He claimed compensation for injuries. The State claim for compensation for loss of his services, calculated at £30 17s. was met by the Insurance Company.

(2) On the 3rd November, 1940, an Inspector of Taxes was a passenger in a motor-car which collided with an omn bus. He was incapacitated for duty from the 3rd to the 17th November, 1940. He claimed compensation for injuries. The State claim for compensation for loss of his services, calculated at £26 4s. 10d., was met by the Insurance Company.

(3) On the 23rd November, 1940, a Departmental Clerical Officer was a passenger in a motor-car which crashed into a wall. He was incapacitated for duty for two days. He claimed compensation for injury. The State claim in respect of loss of his services, calculated at 18s. 11d., was paid by the Officer out of compensation paid to him by the Insurance Company on a comprehensive settlement.

The instructions of the Revenue Commissioners applicable in such cases are to the effect that an officer of the Department who is incapacitated for duty as a result of the negligence or wrongful action of another person (a) should express any claim which he may make against the other party for shock, medical expenses, etc., to be without prejudice to any claim which may lie on the part of the State for the loss of his services, and (b) should not without prior consultation with the Department, agree to any settlement of his claim involving indemnity for the other party against any further claims arising out of the circumstances in which the injury was sustained.

The practice of the Revenue Department as explained above is in accordance with the general practice throughout the Civil Service.