Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the issues raised in an advertisement in the national newspapers on 27 November 2007 from the Irish Haemophilia Society, the Irish Kidney Association, Positive Action and Transfusion Positive highlighting the way the insurance scheme for people infected with hepatitis C and HIV through contaminated blood products is not operating properly and the way the Health Service Executive is making unreasonable demands, amounting to discrimination against people infected through State neglect with hepatitis C and HIV; the measures she proposes to undertake; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32640/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2006 provides for a scheme to allow persons infected with Hepatitis C and HIV, through the administration within the State of blood and blood products, to purchase mortgage protection and life assurance. The scheme is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Regulations made under the Act require that the Administrator must "determine the eligibility of Claimants and to advise them accordingly" and also "determine procedures to be adopted in the operation, administration and supervision of the Scheme."

In respect of a small number of claimants who are requesting life assurance cover in excess of €420,000, the four support groups (Transfusion Positive, Positive Action, the Irish Kidney Association and the Irish Haemophilia Society) do not agree with the procedures adopted by the HSE. I understand that, in setting its procedures, the HSE has been guided by expert legal and financial advice.

Every effort is being made by the HSE to resolve the matter in a manner which is satisfactory to the groups, but which also meets appropriate accountability standards. The HSE informed my officials yesterday that the first proposal for the maximum sum of €525,000 had been approved. To date, 54 proposals totalling over €12 million have been approved and sent to the insurance company which is participating in the scheme.