Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
519. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that have been made to provide a mediated settlement in view of the Taoiseach's commitment that women affected by the CervicalCheck issue would not be required to take legal cases; the number of women or families that have availed of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32372/18]
View answerThe State Claims Agency (SCA), in collaboration with the relevant laboratories in the individual cases, is committed to resolving cases in line with the principles outlined by the Government, expediting resolution of the cases in a sensitive manner, utilising mediation wherever possible and placing a high priority on treating the people who have made the claims, and their families, with dignity and compassion.
Subject to the express wishes of any particular claimant to choose otherwise, the SCA is committed to ensuring that the cases are resolved through mediation rather than through the Courts. In that regard, the SCA will offer mediation in all of the cases. To the beginning of July mediation had been offered in four cases where the cases were being case-managed by the High Court. In one of the cases where mediation was offered, the claimant declined mediation and a settlement of that case was arrived at by means of lawyer to lawyer negotiations.
