Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
2052. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will issue an apology on behalf of the State to all thalidomide survivors, both acknowledged and unacknowledged, for the specific mistakes that occurred in relation to their own individual circumstances. [36271/21]
View answer2053. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will acknowledge the wrong that occurred by virtue of the State failing to timely withdraw thalidomide from the Irish market and the failing to acknowledge the existence of all thalidomide survivors resulting in unacknowledged thalidomide survivors. [36272/21]
View answer2054. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a compensation tribunal process for thalidomide survivors. [36273/21]
View answer2055. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured a statutory healthcare package is provided for thalidomide survivors. [36274/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2052 to 2055, inclusive, together.
There are a number of cases concerning thalidomide being case-managed by the High Court at present. Therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment on matters that are sub judice. However, I would like to set out the ongoing supports provided to Irish survivors of thalidomide.
There are currently 29 Irish people in receipt of ex-gratia monthly payments for life from the Department of Health since 1975. The annual figure for the Irish monthly payments ranges from €6,175 to €13,313 for each individual. The rate of payment is related to each survivor’s level of thalidomide related injury.
In addition, the German Contergan Foundation also pay monthly payments to all thalidomide survivors including a lifelong monthly pension ranging from €8,928 to €100,765 annually; annual special payments since 2009 of between €460 and €3,600; and annual specific needs payments since 2017 of between €5,676 and €14,700.
Both the German payments and the Irish ex-gratia monthly payments are exempt from tax, including Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT), and are not assessable as means for the purpose of Department of Social Protection payments.
Each Irish survivor is also provided with health supports from the Irish State including a medical card on an administrative basis, regardless of means, along with access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services.
In April, 2010, the Government decided to provide additional financial assistance and a designated Senior Manager in the Health Service Executive to liaise with survivors in relation to meeting their ongoing health and personal social service needs.
I wish to inform the Deputy that work is underway in the Department of Health to bring forward legislative proposals on health and personal social services for Irish survivors of thalidomide on a statutory basis.
It is open to any Irish person to apply to the German Contergan Foundation for assessment of their disability as being attributable to thalidomide. Any Irish person who establishes that their injury is attributable to thalidomide will be offered appropriate supports by the Irish Government, commensurate with those currently provided to Irish thalidomide survivors.
