asked the Minister for Health if he will make arrangements to provide a fully free health service to all children suffering from the effects of thalidomide; and if he will state the estimated total number of children in the Republic affected to date by this drug.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Thalidomide Victims.
10.
I do not consider it necessary to make specific provision for free health services in such cases. A liberal attitude has been adopted in the provision of health services where hardship is involved and I am not aware of any undue distress in this regard.
A survey which was carried out by the Medical Research Council of Ireland showed that about 50 children born in Ireland suffered deformities which might be attributable to the use of thalidomide.
Might I ask the Minister why the survey has not been published?
I do not know.
When the Minister was Minister for Health I asked him about this survey and he did not give me an answer either and the matter still goes on. Could I ask him why these thalidomide victims will not be considered for free medical services because they will require them for the rest of their lives? Why are they being singled out for not receiving the special treatment which is vital for them?
This matter has been sufficiently debated, a Cheann Comhairle.
It has been debated because it has been asked for by me on a number of occasions.
Under the new health scheme will these children not be included?
I gather that they will not be included.
They will be long term patients and I thought the scheme was going to cover all long term patients.
They will be victims for the rest of their lives.
They have all been very generously treated and there has been no hardship in any case.