Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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624. To ask the Minister for Health the recent contacts he has had with the group Patients Focus; the steps he has taken to address the concerns of those women who were excluded from the redress scheme (details supplied) [2770/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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While I have had no recent contact with the organisation referred to by the Deputy, I have met them previously in relation to this sensitive issue. I envisage further consultation as the matter progresses.

As the Deputy is aware, a commitment was made 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 in 2007 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 these women. 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 a decision. This process is ongoing, and it is my intention that it will be brought to a satisfactory, legally sound conclusion as quickly as possible.