Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in introducing a vaccine damage compensation scheme for 16 children who were brain damaged following receipt of a three-in-one vaccine injection (details supplied). [36789/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In November 1977 the Minister for Health established the Expert Medical Group on Whooping Cough Vaccination to examine persons who, it was claimed, had been permanently damaged by whooping cough vaccination, to review the medical information available in relation to them and to indicate whether, in its opinion, the damage was attributable to the vaccination.

Of the 93 cases presented to the Expert Group, the Group found that there was a reasonable probability that the vaccine was responsible for damage in 16 of these cases. Where there was a reasonable doubt in any case, the Group gave the benefit of that doubt to that person. In 1982, an offer of an ex-gratia payment of £10,000 was made in 14 cases with a further 2 offers in 1984. There was no acceptance of liability on the part of the State or any public authority. Award of the ex-gratia payment was on condition that the persons concerned waived any further liability against the State or any public authority. The Expert Group reviewed all the cases that came before it and is no longer sitting.

I take it the question refers to the introduction of a no-fault compensation scheme as recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children in its report on Childhood Immunisation. The feasibility of introducing a Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme is being considered by my Department at present and that examination will be concluded shortly.