Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has given any consideration to providing support to persons who have to cover the costs of surgery, post-operative recovery and loss of earnings because they have been fitted with defective hip replacements; if she will consider setting up a loan guarantee scheme for those who cannot afford, but have no option, but to seek legal redress from the manufacturer of the devices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47111/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The HSE has established an Incident Management Team to coordinate the national recall of patients who received specific hip replacement products manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics. Approximately 3,300 patients have received these implants in Ireland, in public or private hospitals, and they have been invited for a recall assessment and possible treatment. It is expected that for most patients this process will be precautionary only and that further treatment will not be needed. The Incident Management Team includes a patient representative and member of the Irish Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery and of the independent hospital sector, to ensure coordinated management of this issue. The Team is also in contact with the company in relation to the fulfilment of the commitment by DePuy to cover the costs of the recall process and any remedial treatment that may be required. In the circumstances I have no plans to establish financial support arrangements such as the Deputy has suggested.

I have arranged to have the Deputy's question forwarded to the Health Service Executive for a more detailed response.