Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue. I am glad to have an opportunity to respond to him on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly. The Minister met representatives of the Irish Thalidomide Association, and separately the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society, in July of this year. He informed both organisations that the main aim of the Government in this respect is to address the health and personal social care needs of thalidomide survivors living in Ireland. The Minister has written to both organisations to inform them that the parameters of a HSE healthcare package are being drawn up by officials in the Department of Health and the HSE. The Department will be in touch with the organisations when it is in a position to discuss the details involved.

The commitment in the programme for Government is to reopen discussions with survivors. The Government is committed to doing that. At his meetings with representatives of the Irish Thalidomide Association and the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society, the Minister said he would have to be guided by the legal advice regarding the State's liability. The Attorney General has confirmed that the State has no legal liability in this matter. Notwithstanding this position, the Minister wants to enter into meaningful discussions about a financial gesture of goodwill towards Irish survivors of thalidomide. This would be in addition to a health care package. However, none of us can ignore the severe financial challenges the health service is facing at present. It is likely that these challenges will increase next year and continue for the foreseeable future.

The thalidomide product sold in Ireland was manufactured by a German company, Chemie Grünenthal. Irish survivors of thalidomide receive compensation from a German foundation that was set up for that purpose. Monthly payments range up to €1,116 per month, tax free, and annual payments range up to €3,680. A monthly allowance is currently paid by the Department of Health and is worth up to €1,109 per month. The majority of Irish survivors are in receipt of the maximum allowance from Germany and Ireland. When the German and Irish payments are combined, the maximum payment individuals receive is €30,386 per annum or €2,572 per month. On average, they receive a tax free payment of €26,000 each year or €2,166 per month. The monthly payments are tax free and are not reckonable for State benefits including disability allowance. Each individual is automatically entitled to a medical card.

The Minister's proposal to provide a health care package and to engage in meaningful discussions about a financial gesture of goodwill towards Irish survivors of thalidomide is a reasonable and compassionate response aimed at meeting the medical and other needs of survivors. The Deputy will join me in saying the State has great sympathy for the survivors. It is most regrettable that they were put through so much pain and suffering. The Government acknowledges the physical and emotional difficulties they and their families have faced as a result of the use of this drug. We recognise the challenges that persist for each individual. I assure the House of the Government's commitment to addressing the health care and related needs of all the Irish survivors of thalidomide. I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue.

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