Vol. 263 No. 2
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an article in a newspaper (details supplied) regarding the thalidomide scandal; if the Government have assisted the parents of the victims; and if he will make a full statement on the matter.
31.
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an article which appeared in a newspaper (details supplied) regarding the thalidomide scandal which stated that no money has been received by Irish victims and that the Irish Government has taken hardly any action to pressurise the Germans into payment; and the action the Government intends taking in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together.
I have seen the article referred to regarding the proposed payment of compensation by the German manufacturers of the drug thalidomide.
Parents of children with defects arising out of the use of thalidomide could avail of a full medical and rehabilitation service which was provided within the framework of the Health Acts and thus avoid any undue financial hardship in the provision of such facilities for their children.
Specifically, the National Rehabilitation Board made arrangements for the provision of specialised artificial limbs and appliances, training for children and parents in the use of the appliances and for schooling where special facilities were required. A vocational assessment, training and placement service was also provided by the board.
In May, 1970, following confirmation by the Department of External Affairs that an offer of compensation by the German manufacturers of thalidomide applied to Irish children born with defects attributable to the drug, my Department issued advertisements in the Press inviting parents and others in charge of such children to furnish particulars of the cases to my Department for transmission to the representatives of the manufacturers. The 84 claimants who replied to the advertisements were also advised by my Department of the details required by the firm as evidence in support of claims.
My Department subsequently arranged for the translation into English of German documents relating to claims and circulated the translations to the claimants concerned and assisted in the formation of a voluntary association of parents involved in claims on behalf of their children.
While the responsibility for pursuing individual claims rested with the particular persons concerned, the Department of Foreign Affairs, through its embassy in Bonn, have been keeping in contact with developments in the matter. I understand that the present position is that the medical assessment of cases is still proceeding. It is not expected that these assessments will be completed until the end of the current year. It is understood that in the meantime no payment of compensation will be made—either to German or Irish cases—as the compensation will be apportioned in accordance with the degree of deformity suffered.
My Department are considering in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs what action might be taken to assist further the Irish claimants.
Will the Minister not agree that the figure given by him now of 84 children is not in accordance with the figure given previously in reply to a parliamentary question?
I cannot say that.
With inflation and money depreciating in value does the Minister not consider it is urgent that some provision should be made for the future of these children? It is not good enough to say we have to await a decision. These children need more than medical and surgical appliances. They need a lot of help. They need provision to be made for their future. This is not being decided on at present.
They are being given help by the National Rehabilitation Board.
Many of these children need more than help from the National Rehabilitation Board. They need help in their homes. This is not good enough.
I consider we are doing everything it is possible to do.
I do not think enough is being done.
Question No. 32.
