Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hepatitis C Tribunal.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

93 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the number of claimants who applied to the compensation tribunal dealing with hepatitis C victims by the deadline for receipt of applications on Monday, 17 June 1996; and the proportion these applications constitute of the total number of persons affected by hepatitis C. [13311/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The compensation tribunal received approximately 1,600 applications since its establishment on 15 December 1995 to 17 June 1996, the closing date for receipt of applications. The total number of persons with hepatitis C who had received a blood transfusion or blood product who have been identified to 5 June 1996 is 1,356.

The tribunal is dealing with applications from persons who have been diagnosed positive for hepatitis C antibodies or virus resulting from the use of human immunoglobulin — anti-D, blood transfusion or other blood products within the State, children and partners of such persons who have been diagnosed positive for hepatitis C antibodies or virus, any person responsible for the maintenance of any such persons who has incurred financial loss and or expenses as a direct result of providing such maintenance; and any dependant of such persons who have died as a result of having contracted hepatitis C.

I understand the tribunal is currently examining the applications and dividing them into two categories, recipients of anti-D and others.