Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to a person (details supplied); if she will confirm that her Department has responded to this person as outlined in her reply to parliamentary question of 12 December 2006; the position in relation to this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13624/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has replied to the person to whom the Deputy refers in relation to the matter raised in the correspondence.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 224: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the present position on behalf of person (details supplied) in County Offaly; the progress which has been made since the submission of a parliamentary question on 23 January 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13625/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department of Health and Children has made efforts to address this situation referred to in the Deputy's question over the last number of months and have taken actions including the following: Detailed examination of archived files to verify what documentation currently exists in the Department of Health and Children in relation to the individual; detailed examination of the files generally to provide background information on the matter; initial examination of the possibility of the establishment of a panel of medical personnel to assess the individual should the need be required; contact with hospitals to provide facilities for such an examination should it take place; assessment of the financial implications of the issue; assessment of the archived files generally to provide historical context on the matter.

In regard to an initial examination of the possibility of the establishment of a panel of medical personnel to assess the individual should the need be required, the Department of Health and Children has identified two Irish based doctors willing to participate in this process. However, they have advised that recognised international expertise in Thalidomide needs to be resourced. To this end, the Department has sought to identify such expertise internationally with assistance from thalidomide organisations overseas. While an appropriate professional could be available in the UK, it is noted that this individual has already provided medical opinion for the subject of this question and therefore cannot be utilised in this regard.

The Department of Health and Children has, over the last number of weeks, sought to make contact with one of two medical experts identified. The Department of Health and Children hopes to finalise this process in the coming weeks. Officials of my Department have briefed the individual referred to in the Deputy's question on this matter and have: Provided her with certain historical documentation; made her aware of other documentation that she may view if she wishes. The Department of Health and Children will revert to the individual as soon as the expertise above has been retained.