Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health in view of his engagement with the survivors of Thalidomide, the progress that has been made with regard to the appointment and training of a multi disciplinary team, arranging a multi disciplinary health evaluation, identifying and documenting the healthcare needs and issues, develop plans to address healthcare needs and issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45257/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I have met with both the Irish Thalidomide Association and the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society.

My Department has been in discussions with Dr. Paul O'Connell, Consultant Rheumatologist at Beaumont Hospital and Carmel Buckley, Health Service Executive Nurse Liaison, with regard to developing a health care assessment process for survivors of thalidomide living in Ireland. An element of this process will be Dr O'Connell and a multidisciplinary team developing links and clinical training with a centre of excellence in Europe.

However, the Irish Thalidomide Association has stated that it is unwilling to engage with me on the basis I put forward and has submitted 17 personal injury claims which are under consideration by the State Claims Agency. In addition a number of issues raised by the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society (ITSS) are unfortunately outside the remit of the Department of Health. I have requested the ITSS, in good faith, to continue to engage and participate in the health care assessment process, so as to assist the Health Service Executive in addressing the future health care needs of thalidomide survivors living in Ireland.