Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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192. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the current status of the Government’s plans to establish an ex gratia scheme for women who underwent the procedure of symphysiotomy; if the scheme will be open to all women who underwent the procedure; the way all potential applicants will be made aware of the application process for the scheme [36217/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In July this year the Government announced a comprehensive response to the long standing and sensitive issue for around 350 women who have undergone surgical symphysiotomy. The key response is the establishment of an ex-gratia payment scheme, which will cost around €34 million. In addition, there is a commitment to the continued provision of medical services, including medical cards for the women.

This followed Government’s examination of a report carried out by Professor Oonagh Walsh, on Practice of Symphysiotomy in Ireland, between 1944 and 1984; andan Independent Review of Issues relating to Symphysiotomy by Judge Yvonne Murphy which advised Government, inter alia, on the relative liabilities of insurers, indemnifiers and/or other parties in relation to symphysiotomy and on the merits and costs of proceeding with an ex gratia scheme relative to allowing the court process to proceed.

Judge Murphy outlined the case for a scheme in her report and her recommendations on levels of awards were accepted by Government. Subsequently, I asked Judge Murphy to draw up a detailed draft scheme. I have consulted through the summer with the Judge and have also been speaking to relevant parties about the proposed scheme. Judge Murphy submitted her more detailed proposal to me on 11 September, setting out how the scheme should operate. In this context I met the support groups representing women who have undergone symphysiotomy last Friday. I wanted to hear from the support groups how they hope the scheme will operate, and to confirm to them that the scheme will be established as quickly as possible.

Key aspects of the proposed scheme include:

- Women who had a surgical symphysiotomy in the State between the years 1940 and 1990 may apply in accordance with, and subject to the terms of the scheme.

- The scheme will be run by an independent Assessor. If women have questions on any aspect of the scheme, the Assessor or secretariat, will be available to assist.

- The scheme will be simple, straightforward and non-adversarial. It will allow women to have legal and other advice available to them in preparing to submit an application. It will result in awards of between €50,000 and €150,000 for the women.

- Women who have had a surgical symphysiotomy and have medical evidence to prove it may accept an award of €50,000 without further assessment. If no medical records are available a medical assessment will be carried out.

- For those who wish to apply for higher awards (€100,000 or €150,000) a medical assessment may be necessary if up to date medical records are not available, or if the Assessor decides this is needed for final determination of the award.

- Women will not waive their rights to take their cases to court as a pre-condition to participating in the scheme. Women may opt out at any stage in application and assessment process, up to the time of accepting their awards. However, on accepting the offer of the award under the Scheme, women will have to agree to discontinue their legal proceedings against any party arising out of their symphysiotomy.

I intend to finalise the details of the scheme shortly and will bring a Memorandum to Government requesting approval to appoint an Assessor for the scheme instead of it being administered by the State Claims Agency and to a small number of other amendments to the Government decision of last July. The details concerning the scheme and its commencement date will be advertised in national and other media, as decided by the Assessor. I hope that when the women see the details of the scheme and the efforts made to ensure it is person-centred, simple and non-adversarial many of them will opt to join the scheme.

In agreeing to the ex-gratia scheme, the Government has demonstrated its commitment to trying to bring a resolution for the women concerned. The Government has acknowledged the pain and suffering which the procedure caused to many of the women and is aware also of the uphill battle many of them will face in the courts with uncertainty about the outcome of that process.