Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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678. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the Government’s response for Irish survivors of thalidomide; the engagements she has had with representative groups or individuals since coming into office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56682/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department holds the responsibility for the provision of services to survivors of Thalidomide.

Acknowledged Irish survivors of thalidomide living in the state are eligible for health and personal social services from the State regardless of means.

This includes access to a medical card on an administrative basis, regardless of means. Medical cards were issued to all acknowledged Irish survivors in the 70's by Department of Social protection. The National Thalidomide Advocacy office will assist any acknowledged Thalidomide survivor with this process.

The type of supports provided in 2025 vary from Aids and Appliances, Seamstress, Personal Assistant/Home support hours to Housing Adaptation projects. A number of Thalidomide survivors are currently going through the process of housing adaptations this year.

In 2025, the National Thalidomide Advocacy Office (NTAO) has supported four individuals to apply to Contergan in Germany for recognition that their disabilities are as a result of Thalidomide exposure. The NTAO has continued to liaise between Contergan and those individuals to provide additional information to the foundation as required. These applications are now under review by Contergan, the NTAO has not received definitive timelines as to when their assessments will be complete.

I have met with a number of Thalidomide survivors since I came into office and officials in my Department liaise through the National Thalidomide Advocacy Office and through the Department of the Taoiseach and on the wider matters affecting Thalidomide survivors.