Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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205. To ask the Minister for Health the origin of the further 46 identified cases referred to in media reports (details supplied); the way in which these cases were identified; if the women concerned have all been contacted; the number of cases being dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28359/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The CervicalCheck clinical audit process included 1,482 cases of cervical cancer notified to CervicalCheck since 2008. In April, the Serious Incident Management Team identified that there were 209 women for whom clinical audit results should have been disclosed but that in the majority of cases, this had not happened. The initial focus was on ensuring these 209 women were communicated with.

At that time, there were a further 46 cases of the overall 1,482 for which clinical audit had been initiated but not completed. The clinical audit process for 12 of these cases was finalised in recent days. The HSE has advised that open disclosure of these newly available results to the women concerned is currently underway. The aim is to ensure disclosure is completed in a timely, sensitive and appropriate manner, as should always be the case, recognising the impact on women of previous failings in this regard.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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206. To ask the Minister for Health if all the women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal have now been contacted; the number of support packages that have been put in place; and the reason for the delay in finalising outstanding packages of supports [28360/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Contact has been made with 208 of the 209 women who were part of the original audit whose cytology results were known to have a different interpretation as a result of the audit. The one remaining woman who has not yet been informed has emigrated. Efforts are continuing to contact this woman through Department of Foreign Affairs.

As of 22 June, HSE Liaison Officers had held 155 face-to-face meetings with individuals affected to discuss their needs and the process of issuing medical cards and delivering other services, such as counselling, is well underway.  

It is important to note that every individual’s circumstances will be unique to them and thus the HSE has taken care to respect the wishes of the women and their families regarding the timing of contacts and subsequent meetings.  Where meetings have not yet been held, this reflects the wishes of the individuals concerned either to meet at a future date that suits them or, in some instances, not to take up the offer of support.

 Arrangements to make an ex gratia payment of €2,000 as recommended by Dr Gabriel Scally in his Progress Report of 11 June to each of the women affected or, where a woman has died, to their next-of-kin, are being coordinated through the HSE Liaison Officers.  The provision of these payments has begun and the HSE aims to have all the payments processed by the end of June, subject to banking details being provided. 

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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207. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the undertaking that the women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal would not be brought through the courts and that the State would enter into mediation; the number of offers of mediation that have been made; the number that have agreed to the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28361/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The SCA, in collaboration with the relevant laboratories in the individual cases, is committed to resolving these cases in line with the principles outlined by the Government, expediting resolution of the cases in a sensitive manner, utilising mediation wherever possible and placing a high priority on treating the people who have made the claims, and their families, with dignity and compassion.

Subject to the express wishes of any particular claimant to choose otherwise, the SCA is committed to ensuring that the cases are resolved through mediation rather than through the Courts. In that regard, the SCA will offer mediation in all of the cases. Currently, mediation has been offered in four cases where the cases are being case-managed by the High Court. In one of the cases where mediation was offered, the claimant declined mediation and a settlement of that case was arrived at by means of lawyer to lawyer negotiations.