Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has joined his party colleague Louise O’Reilly TD in welcoming proposed changes to the policy on the Reimbursement of Expenses of Living Kidney Donors, in particular the decision to offer childcare reimbursement as costs for those who work in the home.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“As a society we need to be doing everything in our power to support and aid those selfless individuals who donate a kidney for a friend or a loved one.

“For over a year now my colleague Deputy Louise Reilly has been liaising with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, and calling on him to amend the policy on the Reimbursement of Expenses of Living Kidney Donors to include reimbursement of costs for those who work in the home.

“It is really welcome to see that at the launch of Organ Donor Awareness Week that the Minister has finally made the sensible and compassionate decision to amend legislation to ensure a set reimbursement of childcare costs for living donors, as well as a set reimbursement of costs incurred by self-employed donors to employ a person to replace them in their business.

“This decision will make a transformative difference to the lives of people who are self-employed or who work in the home if they decide to take the selfless and brave step to donate an organ.

“I am really delighted that the campaigning of many living organ donors and many others has paid off, lifting some of the financial burden on donors. I believe that following this practical and supportive measure that the living kidney donor scheme will be immeasurably improved as a result.

“This proposed change to the policy on the Reimbursement of Expenses of Living Kidney Donors is sensible, compassionate, and a really positive and proactive start to Organ Donor Awareness Week. I would also like to join in the public campaign and urge for more people to carry an organ donor card.”

ENDS