Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to assure the House that the Government is committed to the continued support of the health and personal social service needs of Irish thalidomide survivors. The supports currently provided by the Government to survivors, including the monthly payment for life, the medical card and access to the full range of health and personal social services, are ongoing. I would also like to reiterate that work is under way in the Department of Health to bring forward legislative proposals on health and personal social services for Irish survivors of thalidomide on a statutory basis.

In relation to the two issues raised by the Senator, specifically the apology and the meeting with the Minister that had to be cancelled in January, I will raise both issues directly with the Minister.