John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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1300. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department is working on legislation to introduce a no-fault compensation scheme for vaccine damages in line with commitments in the programme for Government and previous recommendations made by his Department and public health bodies; when he expects to introduce such legislation; if he expects to expedite such legislation in preparation for a potential Covid-19 vaccine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33001/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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An Expert Group was established by the Government in June 2018, chaired by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, to examine the law in relation to personal injuries arising in the healthcare context and to explore alternative mechanisms by which claims could be managed more effectively particularly from the perspective of the person on whose behalf a claim has been made. As part of this process, the Group was to examine whether a mechanism could be established which would deal more sensitively and in a more timely fashion with catastrophic birth injuries, certain vaccine damage claims, or with claims where there is no dispute about liability from the outset. A report from the Expert Group was received by myself and the Minister for Justice. The recommendations of the report are currently being considered by both Departments including the development of any vaccine damage schemes.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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1301. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department or bodies under its aegis have plans to introduce a national immunisation registry prior to the introduction of a mass immunisation programme for a potential Covid-19 vaccine; if there are views within his Department or public health officials on whether such a single national system for childhood and adult immunisation records will be required for effective monitoring of a mass immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33002/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE is currently working on a project to procure a National Immunisation Information System (NIIS), which will bring together all previous regional and national immunisation databases into one system and will be used to collect immunisation information in an integrated way across the life course. The availability of such a system will be an important element in planning for and implementing an immunisation programme for COVID-19, a task which has already commenced under the auspices of my Department, in conjunction with the HSE and other key public bodies. Decisions will be required in the course of the detailed national planning process as to whether a fully developed NIIS can be in place ahead of a national COVID immunisation programme or whether a satisfactory interim solution should be adopted.