Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I wish to raise a matter mentioned in this House several times by Deputy Naughten to do with a report produced in 2001 by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children chaired by Deputy Jim O'Keeffe. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe in his report requested that the issues raised in the report be debated in both Houses of the Oireachtas. The report was on the compensation for victims of vaccine damage in the national vaccination programme. Deputy Naughten has raised this several times, but it has not been debated in this House. Victims of vaccination have no bereavement entitlement because they were not in a position to work and therefore had made no PRSI contributions. Could the Taoiseach deal with that, even if he does not have the information now?

In respect of the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill, I note that it is intended to bring in legislation next year to facilitate an increase in Ireland's contribution to the fund over the next five years. While I support that, why is it necessary to introduce legislation to increase the State's contribution when it already contributes? It might be possible to do this by ministerial order and a debate on that.

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