asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has received a memorial from the parents of the children affected, in one case fatally, after preventive inoculation against diphtheria at Ring Irish College, County Waterford; and if, in view of the serious nature of this affair, he will order an official inquiry to determine responsibility for the occurrence, and to provide, if necessary, adequate compensation for the parents concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ring College—Inoculation Against Diphtheria.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in accordance with the policy and recommendations of the Department of Local Government and Public Health, a number of children were given immunisation treatment at Ring Irish College, County Waterford, in November of last year; that some time afterwards 24 of those children showed signs of serious infection, which later proved to be tubercular in character; that one of the children died on 20th April last, and at the subsequent coroner's inquest it was disclosed that the serum with which they were injected contained living tubercle bacilli; and if he has received any representations from the parents of these children asking that the Department of Local Government and Public Health should actively interest itself in investigating the cause of the disaster that befell so many children as the result of treatment given them in accordance with the policy of the Department, and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware (1) that as a result of an anti-diphtheritic immunisation carried out at Ring in November, 1936, one child has died and 23 children have been infected with tuberculosis; (2) whether he received a memorial dated 31st August, 1937, signed by the parents of the children who were affected by the anti-diphtheritic immunisation referred to, and, if so, what action has been taken in reference to such memorial, and in particular: (a) whether an inquiry has been held; (b) whether if no inquiry has been held it is intended to hold one; and (c) whether special precautions have been taken since the circumstances came to the knowledge of the Minister to direct attention to the dangers associated with such operations, and to secure proper precautions being taken against a repetition of the occurrence referred to.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention was called to the findings of the coroner's jury that investigated the death of Siobhan Ní Cháonnthaolaidh at Scoil na Leanbh, Ring, County Waterford, on April 20th, 1937; whether he is aware the jury found as a fact that in her case death was due to toxemia and purpuric hæmorrhage resulting from tuberculosis infection occasioned by the inoculation of prophylactic supplied by an English firm of chemists; whether, arising out of this incident, he has been petitioned by the parents of 24 children similarly affected by toxemia to inquire into the matter and make reparation to them for the loss and suffering occasioned by their children, and the expense in which the parents were involved; and, if so, whether he will state what action he has taken or proposes to take in regard to the petition.
I propose to take questions numbers 4, 5, 6 and 7 together.
The facts set out in the four foregoing questions are generally in accordance with the information obtained by my Department. I met recently a deputation from the parents of the children and the position was very fully and frankly discussed. That such an occurrence should take place has been a matter of very great concern to me, but as I explained to the deputation I have no power to direct an inquiry into the matter as the inoculation of the children in Ring College did not form part of an official scheme of immunisation against diphtheria approved by my Department. The inoculation was carried out as a private arrangement with the authorities of the college, and I cannot intervene in regard to the treatment of private patients by a medical practitioner. I told the deputation, however, that I am prepared to consider any proposals for affording specialised treatment for the children that are submitted to me through local authorities. As far as practicable precautions have been taken to secure that no occurrence of a similar nature will take place.
I feel the greatest sympathy for the parents of the child that died and the parents of the other children who have been caused such unnecessary suffering and I am anxious that everything possible should be done to hasten the recovery of the children who are still affected.
I beg to ask the Minister, having regard to the very valuable national work done by the college at Ring, whether it is a fact that the college authorities were in no way negligent and were in no way in fault in reference to this unfortunate occurrence?
I think it is perfectly true, as the Parliamentary Secretary to the President states, that the college authorities were in no way negligent; that they took every precaution in the usual way and that the medical officer who acted for them took the usual precautions to see that the work should not have the unfortunate results it had.
Is the Minister perfectly satisfied that conditions in the college are hygienic and that the college is in every way properly equipped so far as sanitary arrangements are concerned?
I have had no personal knowledge of the college for many years. It is a good many years ago since I visited the college. I understand that the college is now an entirely new place and quite different from what it was then. I am satisfied from what I know of the college and from my personal knowledge of the headmaster and the staff that everything that is requisite from the point of view of securing proper sanitation and hygiene is well looked after.
Did I hear the Minister correctly when I understood him to say that this immunisation did not arise out of a practice encouraged and approved of by his Department?
I did not say that.
Will the Minister say whether this serum or bacilli was obtained through the county medical officer of health?
Yes.
And the county medical officer of health obtained it through the machinery provided by the Minister's Department?
My Department has no machinery, but two or three firms that are well known provide this serum.
Did the Minister's Department inquire if these firms also supplied tubercular bacilli?
I could not say.
I would like to ask the Minister again to read the answer with reference to part of this question. I do not think I heard him correctly. Did he say that this practice of immunisation is not part of the practice of his Department or that it was not encouraged or inaugurated by the Local Government Department?
That is an entirely different matter.
Then I must have misunderstood the Minister's reply.
If the Deputy wishes I will reread the answer or part of the answer. Here it is:
"That such an occurrence should take place has been a matter of very great concern to me, but, as I explained to the deputation, I have no power to direct an inquiry into the matter as the inoculation of the children in Ring College did not form part of an official scheme of immunisation against diphtheria approved by my Department. The inoculation was carried out as a private arrangement with the authorities of the college, and I cannot intervene in regard to the treatment of private patients by a medical practitioner."
I have got it quite clearly now, thank you.