Written answers
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Department of Health and Children
Disability Allowance
5:00 pm
Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a more detailed breakdown of the exact figures of payment outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 17 April 2008; the number of each payment amount that was made; the way it was decided the amount each person would receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17019/08]
Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question concerns monthly payments made to Irish survivors of thalidomide. Of the thirty-one people in receipt of the payment
two people receive an annual payment of â¬5,977.80,
one person receives â¬7,151.65,
three people receive â¬9,555.16,
two people receive â¬10,666.88,
three people receive â¬11,745.49
and twenty people receive â¬12,888.21.
The thalidomide product sold in Ireland was of German origin. Irish children who were the victims of thalidomide received compensation in the form of a lump sum and a monthly payment from the German Authorities. The amount of compensation, lump sum and monthly payment, was determined by a clinical assessment of the child.
The Government decided in 1975 to provide victims of thalidomide with a lump sum payment which was four times the amount paid by the German Authorities. In addition, the Government also provided a tax free monthly payment for life equal to the monthly payment from the German Authorities.
The Irish monthly payment has been increased over the years and since the early nineties the payment has been increased in line with the increases afforded to allowances under the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
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