Taoiseach Confirms Redress Scheme For Women Affected By CervicalCheck Scandal

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The Taoisech has confirmed that a redress scheme will be put in place for women affected by the Cervical Check scandal.

Leo Varadkar was responding to calls from Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin in the Dáil for a comprehensive and competent inquiry.

It comes as it’s emerged that an extra 1,500 cancer patients haven’t had any audit of their cases.

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The Taoiseach has said he’s deeply concerned about new figures, which show an extra 1,500 cancer patients haven’t had any audit of their cases, and that some of those women may have benefited from earlier intervention.

But Leo Varadkar says facts are still emerging and has asked for time and space to gather the facts.

He’s also confirmed that a redress scheme will be put in place once the facts have been established.

Pressure is also being piled on HSE boss Tony O’Brien, who has been criticised by opposition leaders today, including Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald.

Leo Varadkar also told the Dáil this lunchtime that the 1,500 new cases which emerged last evening will be audited by the end of this month, while a full Commission of investigation is being considered.

There are concerns that a planned HIQA-led inquiry won’t uncover anything.

Clare’s Junior Minister Pat Breen agrees a Commission could be needed but he believes it’s important to move ahead with HIQA’s planned investigation in the meantime.

The Joint Committee on Health is meeting this afternoon to discuss the ongoing controversy and to establish what actions are immediately necessary to restore confidence in cervical screening.

In a statement, the HSE has admitted there’s been a “very serious” breakdown in communicating to the women that the audit was happening, and its outcomes.

The meeting will be chaired by Clare TD Dr. Michael Harty, who last night hit out over the failure to inform patients and he’s called for a review of the outsourcing of testing.