Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2014
463. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the supports available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath who received a contaminated batch of anti-D blood product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40350/14]
View answerSection 4 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act (No.34 of l997), as amended, sets out the categories of persons who can make a claim before the Tribunal. The Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2006 defined that those who can make a claim must have been "diagnosed positive for Hepatitis C".
It is estimated that up to 16,000 women in Ireland were exposed to potentially infectious batches of Anti-D. Approximately 1,000 of these were infected with Hepatitis C and were therefore eligible to apply to the Tribunal for compensation.
The issue of recipients of Anti-D who have not tested positive for Hepatitis C has been fully considered. While some women who have tested negative for Hepatitis C have experienced a variety of symptoms, there is no scientific proof that the symptoms are evidence of Hepatitis C infection. Indeed, some symptoms of Hepatitis C, such as fatigue, fibromyalgia and depression, are common conditions among the general population.
In view of this, and in the light of practice internationally, I have no plans for legislative change in this area.
