Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date the Advisory Group on No Fault Compensation for Brain Damaged Infants was established; the reason the group has not been brought together since its last meeting scheduled for May 2008 was cancelled; when the group's report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45642/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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An advisory group was established in 2001 to examine the feasibility of establishing a no fault scheme for infants who suffered cerebral damage at, or close to, the time of their birth.

The Group stopped meeting in early 2004 due to the dispute with hospital consultants on the introduction of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme. In 2006 I asked the chairman, Dr. Peter McKenna, to reconvene the group with a view to finishing its work and producing a report. The Group met on a regular basis until 2008 but has been unable to complete its report due to the pressure of other commitments in 2008 and 2009. However, members of the Group have continued to be in contact and work on the preparation of the report has continued. It is intended that a meeting of the Group will be convened in order to review progress in the New Year.

I will await the Group's report before giving further consideration to a wider no fault compensation scheme for the health services.