Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know the Deputy has questioned me previously on the arrangements with the National Rehabilitation Hospital, NRH. In simple terms, the reason for the reduction is that we had a once-off payment from the Department of Finance to the Department of Health, which was, in turn, paid to the NRH last year to facilitate the resumption of the appeal board hearings in the hospital.

It does not reflect any underlying change in policy. It takes account of the fact there was a once-off payment to the Department of Health that went to the NRH, which ultimately ensured the resumption of the appeal board hearings.