Vol. 502 No. 3
359 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has in his review of compensation for haemophiliacs infected by HIV and for hepatitis C to ensure compensation for parents of children infected who are incurring costs as a result of caring for them and enabling them to attend hospital and so on. [7960/99]
Section 4(1)(d) of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act, 1997, provides that any person who is responsible for the care of a person who has been diagnosed positive for hepatitis C through the administration within the State of blood or blood products, and who has incurred financial loss or expenses as a direct result of providing such care arising from the person being cared for having contracted hepatitis C, may make a claim for compensation to the hepatitis C compensation tribunal.
With regard to compensation for persons with haemophilia who have been infected with HIV and hepatitis C, the Government, at its meeting of 23 February 1999, noted the Irish Haemophilia Society's concerns in relation to its perception of the inadequacy of the compensation available for such persons, affirmed its commitment to fair and equitable compensation, and asked me, following detailed discussions with the society, to revert to Government with proposals to address any inadequacy in the current compensation arrangements in a fair and equitable manner. Discussions are currently taking place with the Irish Haemophilia Society on this matter.
