Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 September 2020
231. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to introduce a no-fault vaccination compensation scheme for severe adverse reactions to State-promoted vaccination programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23185/20]
View answerIn June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of an Expert Group to review the law of torts and the current systems for the management of clinical negligence claims chaired by High Court Justice Charles Meenan.
The Expert Group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively yet more sensitively with certain cases. In this process the Group also looked at the impact of tort legislation on the overall patient safety culture and open disclosure. Judge Meenan submitted the final report of the Expert Group on the Reform of the Law of Torts and the Current System for Managing Clinical Negligence Claims on 17 January 2020. One of the report’s recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established to deal with certain vaccine damage claims.
On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board carried out an evidence review on vaccine injury redress programmes in other jurisdictions and this was completed in March 2019.
The Expert Group’s report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Government Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of a proposal regarding the establishment of any compensation scheme.
