RTÉ News has learned that the Government is to introduce a new scheme to enable over 1,000 people infected with Hepatitis C and HIV from contaminated blood products to obtain life cover and mortgages.
The scheme will cover people who have been refused insurance and those who have to pay an extra risk premium on their cover because of infection.
A package of measures is to be brought to the Cabinet this month by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney.
The cost of the scheme is estimated at €1.5m.
Under the scheme, those infected with Hepatitis C and HIV will pay the standard rate for life and other insurance and the Department of Health will pick up the cost of all risk loading due to infection.
The department will also underwrite insurance for those who have been unable to secure cover.
Groups representing those infected say that some members have faced 100% loading on life insurance and many others have been unable to secure mortgage protection cover.
A number of insurance firms have agreed to participate in the scheme, which will also cover travel insurance.
It will cover women infected with Hepatitis C from contaminated Anti-D product, haemophiliacs infected with Hepatitis C and HIV through blood clotting products, those infected through blood transfusions and people infected through kidney dialysis.
