2955. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of people to date that have been supported by the national thalidomide advocacy office to apply to Contergan in Germany for recognition that their disabilities are as a result of thalidomide exposure; the number of these individuals that have been deemed by Contergan to be thalidomide survivors so far; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57947/26]

The German Contergan Foundation has confirmed that since 2013, it is accepting applications from individuals for compensation for thalidomide related injury.

In 2025, the National Thalidomide Advocacy Office (NTAO) has supported four individuals to apply to Contergan in Germany for recognition that their disabilities are as a result of Thalidomide exposure. The NTAO has continued to liaise between Contergan and those individuals to provide additional information to the foundation as required. These applications are now under review by Contergan, the NTAO has not received definitive timelines as to when their assessments will be complete.

Any individual who wishes to seek acknowledgement as an Irish Survivor of Thalidomide can get in contact with the National Thalidomide Advocacy Office, for support through the Contergan process. The majority of acknowledged survivors of thalidomide have been through the Contergan process with assistance from the state.

Acknowledged Irish survivors of thalidomide living in the state are eligible for health and personal social services from the State regardless of means.

This includes access to a medical card on an administrative basis, regardless of means. Medical cards were issued to all acknowledged Irish survivors in the 70's by Department of Social protection.

The type of supports provided in 2026 vary from Aids and Appliances, Seamstress, Personal Assistant/Home support hours to Housing Adaptation projects.