Paul Murphy
Question:87. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the action he has taken to date to ensure that those who suffered narcolepsy after receiving the pandemrix vaccine have received adequate compensation. [6688/22]
View answerTuesday, 15 February 2022
Questions (87, 114)
Paul Murphy
Question:114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that those who suffered narcolepsy after receiving the pandemrix vaccine will receive appropriate compensation without going to court. [6687/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 114 together.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. The management of cases taken by persons who allege they developed Narcolepsy and/or Cataplexy as a result of receiving the H1N1 vaccine, Pandemrix, is delegated to SCA and, as such, the Government has no role in determining how these cases are conducted.
I understand, however, that the SCA has established a Scheme of Settlement in relation to this litigation whereby plaintiffs have the facility of resolving their claims through a formal mediation process with an ultimate right of appeal to a retired superior court judge. I am informed that the Scheme is functioning well and approximately a quarter of the cases in the Scheme have been successfully resolved. Other cases are in the process of resolution by the Scheme.