§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the total number of claims for injury compensation on Action for Community Employment schemes in each year since 1988;
(2) what were the yearly global sums paid by way of compensation to those injured on Action for Community Employment schemes since 1988;
(3) how many injury claims were (a) contested in court and (b) settled out of court arising from Action for Community Employment schemes in each year since 1988.
§ Mr. Tim SmithResponsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. J. S. Crozier. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from J. S. Crozier to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 13 January 1994:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Agency to reply to your questions about 289W claims for injury compensation arising within Action for Community Employment (ACE) Schemes in each year from 1988.
In responding to this enquiry I have to point out that ACE sponsors are independent employers subject to all the normal legal obligations of an employer including adherence to Health & Safety legislation. Sponsors are also required to arrange appropriate employer's and employee's public liability insurance for their projects.
Any injury compensation claims arising within projects do not therefore involve the Agency and are the subject of settlement between the employer, their insurers and the claimant. Consequently the Agency does not hold information about the incidence of claims, the nature of settlement, or the value of compensation awarded.
I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful on this occasion.