Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
572. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a vaccine compensation scheme will be introduced in this country to fast-track compensation for people who have been damaged as a result of taking Covid vaccines and other vaccines, as recommended by a committee (details supplied); if the recommendations of the committee are acceptable to the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42180/23]
View answerMy Department and the HSE work continuously to monitor and improve patient safety, reduce incidents of harm and to minimise risk.
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD and I received government approval in December 2020 to publish the Final Report of the Expert Group to review the law of torts and the current systems for the management of clinical negligence claims. Government noted the contents and recommendations of the Report.
Regarding a vaccine damage compensation scheme, during the pandemic, all available Department of Health resources were devoted to the Public Health response. This meant that work in this area could not be progressed. My Department is now actively pursuing the establishment of a Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme. However, further scoping work and detailed consideration is required to inform decision-making in this area.
