Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1939. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 26 May 2022, his plans to introduce a vaccine compensation scheme as per the recommendations of a report (details supplied); the status of the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41320/22]
View answer1940. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 14 July 2021, the status of the establishment of a Covid-19 vaccination compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41321/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1939 and 1940 together.
As outlined in the response to Parliamentary Question 111 issued on 26th May 2022, the Deputy is advised that although some preliminary scoping work has been undertaken by the Department of Health, the development of policy regarding a vaccine compensation scheme could not be progressed as intended since the final report of the Expert Group on Tort Reform and the Management of Clinical Negligence Claims was published by Government in December 2020. During this time, all available Department of Health resources were devoted to the public health response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
There is still significant work required to develop proposals for consideration by Government regarding vaccine damage compensation. As part of that work, it is anticipated that consideration will also be given to the inclusion of claims relating to alleged adverse reactions from COVID Vaccines.
