Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has raised two important questions. He asked whether officials would meet survivors of symphysiotomy. I can confirm that the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, met the three support groups representing women who have had symphysiotomies. Patient Focus and Survivors of Symphysiotomy Limited, have welcomed the establishment of the ex gratiapayment scheme. A third group, Survivors of Symphysiotomy, has advised women to reject the scheme.

The purpose of the Minister's meeting was twofold. First, he wanted to check the appropriate medical and health services were in place and that medical cards were being provided to the women. Second, while he wished to hear the views of the support groups in order to help to shape the parameters of the ex gratiascheme, he also wished to confirm to them that the scheme would be put in place as quickly as possible. He was pleased to hear that, apart from some delays in one area, services are being provided quickly. The HSE is providing prompt and appropriate services and its representative at the meetings undertook to address quickly the specific delay raised.

Many of the women are moving on in terms of age and would have to decide whether to go through adversarial, controversial, difficult and stressful court cases which could take a very long time.

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