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Over 200 women accept symphysiotomy payments

The surgical procedure to break the pelvis during childbirth was performed between 1944 and 1984
The surgical procedure to break the pelvis during childbirth was performed between 1944 and 1984

Nearly 200 women have accepted payments made under the Surgical Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme set up by the Government.

It has so far made 206 offers, with one rejected and 11 offers awaiting a response.

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar told the Dáil today that 118 awards were assessed at €50,000 each, 71 at €100,000 each and five at €150,000 each.

When the ex-gratia scheme was set up last November with three payment bands, it was expected that around 350 women would apply.

There have been 576 applications to date, which are being assessed by former High Court judge, Maureen Harding Clarke.

The scheme has a fund of around €34 million.

The surgical procedure to break the pelvis during childbirth to allow a baby to be born was performed between 1944 and 1984. 

Marie O'Connor, Chairperson of Survivors of Symphysiotomy said in a statement this evening: "The Minister's homily to the Dáil today contained no proposals as to how this Government proposes to to meet its human rights obligations to women subjected to this involuntary surgery.  "

She said "the scheme is evidently imposing a burden of proof that applicants cannot meet" and that the scheme suffers from "a lack of appropriate expertise."