Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

345. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a request from a group (details supplied) to meet a person to share the experiences of women before the panel sets out the criteria for the way in which the women will be assessed; if a meeting will take place in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16156/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 11 March 2019, the Government agreed to the establishment of an ex-gratia scheme for women affected by the non-disclosure of the CervicalCheck audit. The Scheme is designed to provide an alternative, non-adversarial and person-centred option for women affected by the CervicalCheck non-disclosure issue. The Scheme will be up and running in the coming weeks.

The Government also approved the appointment of an Independent Assessment Panel, comprising a retired High Court Judge (who will act as Chair), an independent clinician and a person of good standing.  The Chair of the Independent Assessment Panel is Mr. Justice Aindrias Ó Caoimh. I will appoint the other two members shortly. 

I am not aware of any request for a meeting to which the Deputy refers. 

My Department is currently engaging with the HSE in order to finalise arrangements for communicating invitations to the women. The invitations notification will explain the scope and purpose of the Scheme and the eligibility criteria. A consent form will be enclosed, along with any other necessary documentation including the terms of the Scheme. I expect that the invitations will be issued shortly and following this, full details of the Scheme will be published on my Department's website.