Vol. 552 No. 4
30 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made by the working group on the development of a no-fault compensation system for birth-damaged children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12561/02]
The advisory group which is examining the feasibility of introducing a "no fault" compensation scheme for birth-damaged children has been meeting on a regular basis since its establishment a year ago. I understand that the group has just completed the first phase of its work programme which involved examining the factors giving rise to birth-related injuries, the existing legal frame work within which claims for compensation are processed, the way the cost of funding claims is financed and what services are available to the families of brain-injured children.
The group is now moving on to consider what alternative arrangements might be put in place to meet the financial and care needs of these children.
