Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 642: To ask the Minister for Health his views regarding the arrangement made between the parents of children affected by thalidomide and the Government in 1975. [22120/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Irish survivors of thalidomide receive a monthly payment of up to €1,116 and an annual lump sum of up to €3,680 from the German Foundation for Thalidomide (The drug sold in Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s was manufactured by a German company). In addition the Irish Government provides a monthly payment of up to €1,109. The majority are in receipt of the maximum payments from both Germany and Ireland. All of these payments are tax free. Each individual automatically receives a medical card. Combining the German and the Irish payments Irish survivors of thalidomide receive on average a tax free payment of €26,000 per annum or €2,166 each month.

In accordance with the Programme for Government I met with both representative bodies of Irish survivors of thalidomide last Friday 15th July. I listened to their proposals for additional health care supports and financial assistance. I undertook to consider their proposals and have further discussions with them.