John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy will be aware that the Minister has met with the Irish Thalidomide Association on a number of occasions since 2008. At the Minister's request, the State Claims Agency assessed the association's requests in the context of Irish and international provisions for survivors of thalidomide and in the context of Irish case law and precedent. The State Claims Agency also considered the submissions of the Irish Thalidomide Association and the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society and met with both organisations.

Following consideration of the agency's report, the Minister announced, on 27 April last, the Government's decision to provide additional service and financial supports for Irish survivors of thalidomide. The measures announced include: provision for special care packages for thalidomide survivors living in Ireland, following multi-disciplinary assessments by an independent expert to be appointed by the Minister; the designation of a senior manager in the HSE to act as a liaison with regard to the ongoing health and personal social services needs of the Irish survivors; a once off ex gratia payment of €2 million to be divided equally between the Irish survivors as a practical expression of the Government's sympathy; the payment of an annual lump sum, in addition to current payments, equivalent to a further German annual payment which commenced in 2009, of up to €3,680, for survivors in the most severe category; provision whereby, if an individual thalidomide survivor has applied for but does not qualify for either the disabled drivers tax concession scheme or the motorised transport grant, their cases will be examined with a view to providing an equivalent level of financial assistance to assist with their transport needs. This is a reasonable and compassionate response, aimed at meeting the medical and other needs of survivors. Additional information not provided on the floor of the House.

The Minister met with groups representing survivors of thalidomide and briefed them on the Government's decision. Issues were raised by legal representatives on behalf of both organisations at those meetings, including the manner in which services and supports will be provided, the question of an apology to survivors and certain legal issues. The Minister has already put in train arrangements for individual assessments of survivors, including the appointment of the independent expert, Dr. Paul O'Connell, consultant rheumatologist, and separate liaison arrangements through Ms Carmel Buckley, a senior HSE nursing official. In regard to the legal issues raised, the Minister informed the survivors that she would have these matters considered urgently, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. The Minister will proceed on the basis of advice from the Attorney General.

The Minister also wishes to point out that in 1975, the Government of the day also acted on the then Attorney General's advice and expressed a commitment to ensure that the needs of the surviving children would be met. I know that the Minister joins me in saying that the State has great sympathy for the survivors and it is most regrettable that they should have been put through so much pain and suffering.

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