Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2018
206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if all the women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal have now been contacted; the number of support packages that have been put in place; and the reason for the delay in finalising outstanding packages of supports [28360/18]
View answerContact has been made with 208 of the 209 women who were part of the original audit whose cytology results were known to have a different interpretation as a result of the audit. The one remaining woman who has not yet been informed has emigrated. Efforts are continuing to contact this woman through Department of Foreign Affairs.
As of 22 June, HSE Liaison Officers had held 155 face-to-face meetings with individuals affected to discuss their needs and the process of issuing medical cards and delivering other services, such as counselling, is well underway.
It is important to note that every individual’s circumstances will be unique to them and thus the HSE has taken care to respect the wishes of the women and their families regarding the timing of contacts and subsequent meetings. Where meetings have not yet been held, this reflects the wishes of the individuals concerned either to meet at a future date that suits them or, in some instances, not to take up the offer of support.
Arrangements to make an ex gratia payment of €2,000 as recommended by Dr Gabriel Scally in his Progress Report of 11 June to each of the women affected or, where a woman has died, to their next-of-kin, are being coordinated through the HSE Liaison Officers. The provision of these payments has begun and the HSE aims to have all the payments processed by the end of June, subject to banking details being provided.
