Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 5

Written Answers. - Vaccination Programme.

Denis Naughten

Question:

300 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 1127 of 9 October, when the information will be provided as requested; his views on whether it is acceptable that there is such a delay in providing this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26766/02]

Denis Naughten

Question:

301 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 1127 of 9 October, the number of times Dáil Éireann has sought such information regarding OPV; the number of times this was provided and the response; the number of times it was provided subsequently and the delay involved; the number of times the information was not provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26767/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.

The responsibility for administration of vaccines lies with the ERHA and the health boards. On each occasion that the Deputy has raised questions relating to the administration of OPV after the expiry date, my officials have contacted the health boards and the ERHA and requested the relevant information. I have presented the details available at each stage in the Dáil. The replies received from health boards indicate that they have experienced difficulties in establishing the current position and collating the information as not all general practitioners have provided the required information. This is the reason for the delays encountered.

I hope to be in a position to write to the Deputy in the coming weeks setting out the most recent details provided by the health boards in relation to OPV. The three area boards which constitute the ERHA have not yet forwarded a comprehensive reply and a further reminder has issued to each of the chief executive officers in this regard. As the follow-up procedures in relation to the withdrawal of the two batches of BCG vaccine are still on-going health boards have indicated that it is not possible at this stage to provide definitive details. When these details are made available I undertake to forward them without delay.

Denis Naughten

Question:

302 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he has taken to date and the planned action by his Department to support the requests made following his meeting earlier in 2002 with the Irish Vaccine Injury campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26769/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

As detailed to the Deputy in response to his Parliamentary Question No. 215, reference No. 22124/02, of 14 November, I met two representatives of the Irish Vaccine Injury Campaign on 16 April. The matters raised by them are under consideration by my Department at present. My officials are examining details of vaccine injury compensation schemes in place in other countries. On completion of this examination further investigation will take place into the clinical and administrative aspects of the most relevant models examined.