Taoiseach and the Tánaiste meet board members of the Irish Thalidomide Association

Taoiseach and the Tánaiste meet board members of the Irish Thalidomide Association

• From: Department of the Taoiseach

• Published on: 30 October 2025
• Last updated on: 30 October 2025

Board members of the Irish Thalidomide Association (ITA) were welcomed to Government Buildings today where they met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris.

During the meeting they discussed the judge-led facilitation process which has been put in place by Government.

Judge Paul Gilligan, retired judge of the Court of Appeal, is the appointed independent facilitator for this process.

Work in this role began nine months ago, and Judge Gilligan has been meeting with survivors and will make recommendations to Government on an ex-gratia payment for each member.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste explained that the pathway for people who have not yet had their injuries affirmed as caused by the Thalidomide drug is being completed.

They also confirmed that the Minister for Health has agreed to provide discretionary medical cards to unacknowledged Thalidomide survivors

This will apply to individuals who are currently seeking acknowledgement, or those who intend to seek acknowledgement, as survivors of Thalidomide through the State process. A letter will be issued shortly with details on this.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste also confirmed an enhanced package of services to all Thalidomide survivors and agreed to meet with members of the board next month as Judge Gilligan continues his work.

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