Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I raise the issue of legislation relating to periodic payment orders in the context of a recent presentation made to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children by a parent whose child was severely affected by medical negligence. It was clear at the time of the child's birth that she had been badly affected by the manner of her delivery but it was nine years before any payment issued to the family. The parent spoke about the fact that the first three to four years of that child's life were extremely important but that the family did not have access to funding to provide the best possible care for the child. I raise this matter in that context.

In a recent case at the same hospital a settlement was reached at a far earlier stage - approximately three years after the event. At least there was some satisfaction from the parents' point of view then because they knew that moneys would be available to allow their child to access the kind of services needed at a very young age. This is a very important issue and we should introduce the appropriate legislation as soon as possible.