The Minister for Health has established the Surgical Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme.

The Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme is open to women who are still living and who underwent a surgical symphysiotomy or pubiotomy in Ireland between the years 1940 and 1990, including women who are living abroad. Once an Applicant satisfies the terms of the Scheme she will receive an award. The application deadline was Friday 5 December 2014. In exceptional circumstances applications may be extended to 14 January 2015.

The Scheme is voluntary and women will not waive their rights to take their cases to court as a precondition to participating in the Scheme. Women may opt out of the Scheme at any stage in the process, up to the time of accepting their award.

Details about the Scheme and application forms are available on the Scheme’s website at http://www.payment-scheme.gov.ie or by phoning the Assessor at 0035316778553, 003531 6778554 or 0035316778555.