Thalidomide survivors’ support
Seán Ó Fearghaíl raises the deteriorating health and social-care support of thalidomide survivors; the Tánaiste says the Government’s programme commitment will be honoured, though no legislation is promised.
The Government gave a commitment in the programme for Government to do something about the plight of the 32 survivors of thalidomide, particularly to look after their growing health and social care needs. Members who met representatives of the survivors in Leinster House during the week have reported that far from taking action or engaging with the survivors on their growing social and health care needs, the Minister for Health has left them in a position where they believe their existing support structure is no longer guaranteed. Will the Tánaiste indicate when the Government intends to introduce some proposals in this regard?
