Written answers
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Department of Health and Children
Health Services
2:30 pm
Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for mortgage interest relief from the community welfare officer in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4491/11]
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding negotiations between her and Thalidomide survivors; if all survivors have been engaged with; the progress made with regard to the introduction of additional supports for Thalidomide victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4503/11]
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The previous Minister's offer in December 2010 to provide ex gratia payments was made in good faith with the knowledge that, if not taken up by survivors, the monies would have to revert to the Exchequer by the end of 2010. The Minister engaged with the two representative groups of Thalidomide survivors. The Minister informed the survivors' representatives that acceptance of the offer would not preclude survivors from entering into negotiations with any future Government and would not affect any legal strategy they may wish to pursue. In the event, the offer of the ex gratia payment was rejected by the two groups.
The Department is currently finalising the voluntary disclosure of records relating to the circumstances surrounding thalidomide in the 1950s/1960s and the arrangements made in the 1970s relating to the survivors of thalidomide. It is hoped to release these records in the very near future.
In addition, the Health Service Executive in conjunction with Dr Paul O'Connell, Consultant Neurologist, is currently finalising the details of the special care packages and the associated process to assess the health needs of survivors. My Department is prepared to involve survivors and their representatives in the process should they choose to participate.
Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the rights of patients who received titanium hips that have proved faulty; her plans to set up a body that would assess the damage done to persons and to recompense them accordingly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4506/11]
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans to establish a body as proposed by the Deputy. The HSE is addressing this matter and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
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