Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I also welcome the fact the programme is being introduced. However, I refer to the people who paid for it themselves. In fairness to them, they were originally informed the programme would be put in place and they were then informed it would be delayed. By that time there was a good deal of media attention on the issue and a belief among the parents concerned that it was very important for their daughters to get this vaccine. They were not to know that the Minister would introduce the programme in the first year of secondary school instead of sixth class in primary school. There is a case for people to be recompensed. I am unsure how the Minister might do so but there is a case to be made. I remember distinctly a Traveller lady visited my clinic and informed me she would try to save up the money to have her daughter vaccinated because she had heard it was important to do so.

When we debated the matter here at the time it was announced the programme would not go ahead, we stated in the Chamber it could be done a good deal cheaper than the original HIQA costing presented to the Minister. I met representatives of at least one of the companies that makes the vaccine. They informed me they could do it a good deal cheaper. Did the Minister approach the companies before she originally announced the decision to cancel the programme?

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