Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 338: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will issue the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 card, sometimes referred to as a blue card to a certain sector of people (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11760/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The current eligibility requirements for a Health (Amendment) Act Card, which entitles persons who have been infected with Hepatitis C through the administration within the State of blood and blood products, are set in primary legislation under the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2006.

The eligibility requirements for the Card are a positive diagnosis for Hepatitis C based on a positive Hepatitis C test result, that is a positive ELISA, RIBA, or PCR test result at any time since the administration of the blood or blood product, or if the person displayed symptoms of acute infection by reference to the presence of jaundice or raised alamine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, not later than 16 weeks after the person was administered Anti-D.

Therefore, while I am sympathetic to the women in question, it is not possible under the legislation, to provide them with a Health Amendment Act Card.