Half of those injured in a crash last year in Dublin city centre between a Luas tram and a bus have lodged compensation claims, the Sunday Tribune has learned.

According to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) a total of 12 applications have been received in relation to the incident last September.

Between 21 and 26 people were reported to have suffered injuries.

Neither Dublin Bus nor Veolia, the company behind the Luas operation, have been able to shed any light on when a probe into the accident might reach its conclusion.

It is understood the driver of the Luas tram remains off work on sick leave.

While there have been relatively few applications for personal injury compensation arising from the incident, anyone involved still has another 18 months in which to make a claim.

Those claims that have been received should take in the region of six months to process after which it will be up to claimants and respondents to decide on whether or not they are satisfied with the level of compensation suggested by the PIAB.

If either party is unhappy, then the matter can proceed to litigation.

On the afternoon of 16 September last year, the vehicles collided in the centre of O'Connell Street. The chaotic scenes were captured on digital cameras by by­standers and relayed on the internet within moments.

Levels of compensation are likely to vary depending on the nature and extent of injuries.

For example, those who received relatively minor injuries such as cuts and bruises could receive compensation of up to €5,000 while those who broke bones could expect sums in the region of €10,000.

While investigations re­main incomplete, no signal error was thought to have occurred on the tram line.