Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1577. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of claims notified to the CervicalCheck Tribunal since its establishment; the closing date by which claims can be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CervicalCheck Tribunal was established on 27 October 2020 under the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019. Establishment of the Tribunal was finalised with the appointment of the nominated members to the Tribunal with effect from 1 December 2020.
The Tribunal has notified my Department that it has received ten claims to date. This figure includes two claims that were consolidated. The claims received are a combination of new claims i.e. claims that were not the subject of proceedings before the High Court, and claims transferred from the High Court.
The CervicalCheck Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2021, extended the closing date for receipt of claims by the Tribunal to 26 January 2022, and provides that I as Minister for Health may further extend the deadline up to a date not later than 26 July 2022.
The Tribunal is the most appropriate venue to hear and determine CervicalCheck claims. It has been specifically designed for that purpose. It is, of course, entirely up to eligible women as to whether or not they use it.
