Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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727. To ask the Minister for Health the process for assessing and putting supports in place for injuries associated with the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50422/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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There is currently policy development work underway in relation to the potential establishment of a vaccine compensation scheme. In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of an Expert Group, chaired by High Court Justice Charles Meenan, to review the current systems for the management of clinical negligence claims.

Justice Meenan submitted his final report in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the report was subsequently published in December 2020. One of the report’s recommendations is that a compensation scheme is established to deal with certain vaccine damage claims.

On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board (HRB) carried out an evidence review on vaccine injury redress programmes in other jurisdictions and this was completed in March 2019.

The Expert Group’s report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Government Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of any proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation, and work to advance policy development in this regard is underway in my Department.