Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, has increased to €35,000 the maximum amount that can be awarded for mental distress to dependants of someone who has been fatally injured. Compensation for mental distress, also called “solatium”, had been set at ₤20,000 since 1996.
Announcing the increase, Minister Shatter said, “The amount of compensation for mental distress that can be paid to dependants of someone who has been fatally injured has remained unchanged since 1996.” Minister Shatter acknowledged that the award is intended to be an acknowledgement of grief rather than an attempt to compensate for it: “While money cannot compensate for the loss of a loved one, it is important that recognition be given to the significant loss that families have suffered.” The new increased limit of €35,000 restores the value of the payment and takes account of the significant increases in the cost of living since 1996.
Click here to read a Department of Justice and Equality press release.