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Health Minister Simon Harris today published Judge Maureen Harding Clark’s Report on the Surgical Symphysiotomy Ex-gratia Payment Scheme.

The Scheme, which cost just under €34million, made awards of €50,000, €100,000 or €150,000 to 399 women, all of whom have received their respective payments.

Minister Harris said:

It had been anticipated that in the region of 350 women would apply to the Scheme, but in fact 590 applications were received. I hope that the conclusion of this process will help to bring closure for the women involved and their families.

Judge Clark encouraged women who believed they had a symphysiotomy to apply to the Scheme, advising them that they did not give up their right to pursue their case through the courts.  It was only on accepting an award under the Scheme that a woman had to discontinue her legal proceedings.  The vast majority of women opted to do so. The Judge worked with each woman or her legal representative to locate medical records. Where claims could not be reconciled with established facts, women were examined by relevant medical experts.   

The Report on the Surgical Symphysiotomy Ex-gratia Payment Scheme is available here.

Read the full press release here.