Minor injury compensation cap sought to reduce premiums

Updated / Wednesday, 4 Nov 2026 00:01

Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke is seeking to put a maximum compensation cap on the amount people can claim in minor injury cases.

The move is part of an effort to reduce the cost of insurance premiums.

The minister has now requested legal advice from the Attorney General on this matter.

Mr Burke believes that the costs involved in some compensation cases here are disproportionately higher than in several other countries

This issue was discussed in recent days at a Cabinet subcommittee on insurance reform.

A similar cap in England and Wales was introduced in 2018 on compensation claims for whiplash and soft tissue damage lasting up to 24 months.

There the highest amount an applicant can receive for minor injuries lasting 18-24 months is now £4,975.

In Ireland, the average award for minor damages from the Injuries Resolution Board is €9,693.

"Less than 40% of these awards are accepted, with applicants then proceeding to the courts where the majority of insurance companies settle cases and invoke much higher overall costs," Mr Burke said.

He added that the proposed cap would tackle this, as it would apply to both the Injuries Resolution Board as well as any court awards.