Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

): I am pleased to take this opportunity to outline the position in relation to the matter raised by the Senator.

The thalidomide product sold in Ireland was manufactured by Chemie Grunenthal, a German company. In May 1970 an offer of compensation made by the German manufacturers of thalidomide applied to Irish children. The German compensation, paid through a statutory foundation set up for the purpose, was in the form of a lump sum and a monthly allowance for life. The foundation is funded by a covenant from the German drugs manufacturer.

In 1974, the Irish Government decided to augment the compensation provided by the German foundation. The decision was to provide to each Irish survivor a lump sum of four times the German lump sum and a monthly allowance for life, equivalent to the German allowance. In 1975, the lump sum paid by the Irish Government ranged from €6,400 to €21,200.

There are currently 32 Irish survivors of thalidomide. The Irish monthly allowance is paid by the Department of Health and Children. The total annual payment received by survivors, including the German payment, is currently up to €28,500 per annum. The majority of Irish survivors receive the maximum amount. The monthly allowance is tax-free and is not reckonable for State benefits. Each individual is also automatically entitled to a medical card. The Government accepts the concerns expressed by Irish survivors of thalidomide regarding their continuing and increasing health needs as they get older.

The Minister and Department officials have met with the Irish Thalidomide Association, on a number of occasions with regard to its request for a review of payments by the Irish Government to the survivors of thalidomide. The Minister considered the detailed proposals made by the Irish Thalidomide Association, met with the association in March 2009 and undertook to consider its claim further. In May 2009, the Department asked the State Claims Agency to examine the association's claims and assess its requests in the context of Irish and international provisions for survivors of thalidomide and in the context of Irish case law and precedent, and to advise the Minister accordingly. The State Claims Agency met with representatives of the association on 25 June last year and has listened carefully to its position. The agency has expressed its willingness to meet again with the groups representing survivors of thalidomide, following which it will report to the Minister. Any proposal that results from this process will need to be considered by Government. The Minister awaits receipt of the report of the State Claims Agency.