Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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210. To ask the Minister for Health if he has met with an association (details supplied) as promised; if not, if he will provide a date for the meeting; if he will provide an update following the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8469/22]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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215. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to compensate the victims of thalidomide who are waiting decades for damage to be addressed; if he will advise An Taoiseach to make a State apology to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8521/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 215 together.

There are a number of cases concerning thalidomide before the High Court at present and it is not possible to comment on matters that are sub judice. 

However, I am anxious to assure thalidomide survivors of the Government’s ongoing commitment to provide them with the necessary health supports to meet their related needs. I have directed my office to set up a meeting with thalidomide survivors at the end of this month, strictly without prejudice to the ongoing litigation.

In addition to an ex-gratia lump sum and an ex-gratia monthly allowance for life, the supports provided by the Irish State to each Irish survivor include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of means.  This includes access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment and housing adaptations. 

There is a designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs.

At the meeting with survivors I will listen to their healthcare needs.  I will also talk with them about the work underway in the Department to provide these health and personal social supports on an ex-gratia basis on a statutory footing, as committed to by the Government.  However, as outlined above, matters which are before the High Court will not form part of the agenda for discussion.