Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 5

Written Answers - Hepatitis C Costs.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

91 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the provisions, if any, which have been made to cover the required funds necessary to pay the approved compensation awards to the hepatitis C victims; the other additional costs that are likely to arise from the tribunal; the original provisions and likely requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5314/97]

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

92 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if he intends to bring in a supplementary estimate in order to take care of the reported trebling of the required compensation level in connection with the hepatitis C issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5315/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.

The scheme to compensate persons who have contracted hepatitis C from the use of human immunoglobulin anti-D, whole blood or blood products was formally established in December 1995 and is administered by a tribunal. It commenced hearings in January 1996 and regular hearings commenced in March 1996.

Under section 3 of the Appropriation Act, 1995 a special account was established to be used to pay awards, on anex-gratia basis, made by the tribunal under the scheme and to pay the costs of administering the scheme. On 13 December 1995 the Dáil approved the payment of £60 million to the special account.

The compensation tribunal has received 1,664 applications of which 1,512 are primary claimants, 86 are dependants and 6 are carers. 267 cases have been heard to date and a further 123 have been listed for hearing up to 31 July 1997. A further 376 cases are ready for listing.

In the 267 cases heard to date, the tribunal has made 169 lump sum awards and 96 provisional awards. Two claims were disallowed. The total amount of the awards made to date is approximately £30 million excluding legal costs and expenses. The awards have ranged from £15,200 to £332,756, the average award being £113,000.

The Government is fully committed to providing whatever resources are required to enable the tribunal to carry out its functions and for the payment of all awards made by the tribunal.