THE Government has almost doubled the number of public bodies that use the State Claims Agency.

The agency, which manages personal injury and third party claims against the public bodies it has jurisdiction over, will now have responsibility for 119 bodies, up from 63.

In a statement, the Government said the move was in keeping with its policy of saving money for the Exchequer by self-funding personal injury and third party property damage liability exposures instead of purchasing commercial insurance from private sector insurers.

Apart from the savings on insurance premiums, the 56 bodies who now come under the SCA’s remit will receive a specialised claims management service from the SCA, which has significant experience operating in the state sector and healthcare environment, the statement added.

Agency director Ciaran Breen commented: “This is a very significant extension of the State Claims Agency’s remit and represents a strong vote of confidence by the Government in the Agency’s ability to manage personal injury and property damage claims on behalf of public bodies.”

The SCA manages personal injury, property damage and clinical negligence claims brought against certain State authorities, including Government ministers and health enterprises. It also has a risk management role, advising and assisting State authorities in minimising their claim exposures.