Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the Programme for Government commitment to extend the Lourdes Hospital Scheme to include those 36 women who were excluded; when he intends to give effect to that commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45158/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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A commitment was given in the Programme for Government to seek a mechanism to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme. The Scheme of Redress approved by Government was a non-statutory, ex-gratia scheme. Awards were determined by an independent Redress Board in 2007 and 2008.

My Department has been engaged in a review to identify the most appropriate mechanism to compensate those women excluded from the scheme on age grounds alone. This review has included taking instructions and legal advice, including advice from the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to bringing proposals to Government for decision. This process has not yet been completed.