US ambassador reassures parents over medical costs

US ambassador to Ireland Kevin O'Malley said parents of those injured in the Berkeley balcony collapse should not have to worry about the cost of medical care.

Speaking on RTÉ radio about fears that the medical bills of those seriously injured could be huge and might not be covered by medical insurance, Mr O’Malley said: “I don’t think any of the physicians or nurses or staff will be concerned about their insurance coverage. They will get the very best care that is available and that is what is important for today.

"The important thing that I take away from this is that this tragedy occured in a place where some of the best hospitals in the United States happen to operate. Those students need the very best care they can get in the United States and they are in the best place where it can be delivered to them."

Mr O'Malley said the US embassy had made all of its resources available to the Irish Government and the embassy had contacted both the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan to that effect.

Mr O’Malley described the Berkeley balcony tragedy as a “terrible tragedy” that befell young people whose “hearts and minds were filled with ambitions to see my country.”

He confirmed that some 7,000 J1 visas were issued this year which is about normal. Some 150,000 J1 visas have been issued over the years.

“It is a very significant part of how we have come to understand each other so well and that we have such a warm, deep relationship,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs is liasing with the families of the six victims to repatriate their remains.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said representatives from the Irish consulate in San Francisco will be assisting the bereaved families as soon as they arrive in the city later on Wednesday.

An incident room has been set up at the consulate and additional staff have been redeployed from elsewhere in the United States.

A liasion person has been allocated to each of the bereaved families to assist those who are there.

He told RTÉ radio that “practical help and support” will include arranging transport and accommodation for families when they arrive in San Francisco.

The consulate will also be helping those families of victims who were seriously injured in the balcony collapse.

Mr Flanagan confirmed the emergency response unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs received 500 calls yesterday from parents anxious about the fate of their children.

“We are offering every thing in terms of practical support for the bereaved families as they land in San Francisco,” he said.

“Many volunteers have been involved on the ground. These are very difficult for everybody involved.

"The students are not on their own out there. The emergency crisis peration led by our consul Philip Grant is offering every assistance possible and that is being extended to everyone involved."

Mr Flanagan confirmed that the University of California, Berkeley, is providing a counselling service for students traumatised by the incident.