More staff needed to handle compo claims

THE Personal Injuries Board (PIAB) is set to recruit an additional 50 staff to handle the flood of compensation claims.

The Government yesterday hailed the PIAB after it was announced that 25 awards have already been made through the new system.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mícheál Martin said the number of awards showed that personal injury claims could be resolved within nine months and that "excessive litigation costs have been removed".