Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of certain State authorities including the Health Service Executive.

The management of cases taken by persons who allege they developed Narcolepsy and/or Cataplexy as a result of receiving the H1N1 vaccine, Pandemrix, is delegated to SCA. It is the Agency’s preference to resolve claims using mediation wherever possible.

Following the settlement of a precedent case through mediation in November 2020, the SCA established a Scheme of Settlement for the other claims on similar terms to those agreed in that case. Settlement of claims under the Scheme, through mediation in each case, are progressing well with 153 plaintiffs having entered into the Scheme by 11 April 2024. Of these claims received, 95 claims have been finalised with 58 claims currently active. Payments for damages have been made in respect of 129 claims as of 11 April 2024.

My Department is currently working to develop a model for a vaccine damage scheme and my officials are working through related policy matters. The development of such a model needs detailed consideration to ensure that it is appropriately designed. Once the model is developed, it will be submitted for my consideration.